Outboard question- is a Sailmate any different to an outboard?

[Thedreamoneday]

This may potentially be a daft question but is a Mariner Sailmate different in anyway to a normal Mariner outboard?

is it set up differently in amyway or is it just a name? Ive also seen 'Saildrive' by Mercury.

Thanks

 

[C08]

Saildrive engines are usually long or ultra long shafts and are designed for displacement hulls so generally have a higher (prop runs slower) gear ratio and a bigger diameter propellor than a standard engine, sometimes a 4 blade prop. Tohatsu do one as do Yamaha but the best of the bunch is probably the Mariner Bigfoot which is more substantially built apart from the other feature. Not sure about the "sailmate".

 

[VicS]

Also not sure what differences there are between a Sailmate and the standard Mariner. The manufacturers specs should tell you.

As suggested above differences probably include

Long shaft or extra long shaft. To get the prop deeper in the water.

Will have a high thrust prop ie low pitch and large blade area. (Perhaps a larger diameter)

I'd not expect the gear box ratio to be different ..... the lower pitch prop makes for a low gear ratio but the prop spins faster, not slower for a given speed through the water. It also means that the engine revs are higher ......The aim is to get the max engine power at a lower boat speed. This could be done with a lower ratio gearbox but the simplest way is to use a lower pitch prop.

Battery charging as standard

There may be differences in the exhaust...... The exhaust from my Yachtwin exits above the prop rather that behind it so that in reverse the gases are not sucked back into the prop causing reduced thrust astern

I'd guess Mercury "Saildrive" and Mariner "Sailmate" could be different names for the same thing.

 

[Thedreamoneday]

Thanks guys, Ive looked for details using the serial number 0p180745 or there is another number of 7004216LB but I cant find anything.

I'll have a good look round it to see if the exhaust is different.

 

[VicS]

Thanks guys, Ive looked for details using the serial number 0p180745 or there is another number of 7004216LB but I cant find anything.

I'll have a good look round it to see if the exhaust is different.

The serial number makes it a Belgium made 1998/9 model depending on HP.

The exhaust differences I mention may or may not apply to Mercs and Mariners.... They may even be unique features of Evinrude/Johnson engines.

You should be able to find an owners manual in the Brunswick marine down load center http://download.brunswick-marine.com/download/main;jsessionid=105vjo07c1lcd?type=corp as well as year identifier.

Not always easy to find the right manual though. Often better not to specify the year.

Parts breakdown diagrams should be on http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc2/Mariner/parts.html

 

[xeitosaphil]

This may potentially be a daft question but is a Mariner Sailmate different in anyway to a normal Mariner outboard?

is it set up differently in amyway or is it just a name? Ive also seen 'Saildrive' by Mercury.

Thanks

I had a Mercury 8hp of the same era and build Belgium made 1998/9 model which I converted to a sail drive by adding a high thrust prop same size as the saildrive version and a flywheel charging system ( retifier) This I was told by the Merc Agent would make my engine basically the same spec as the sail drive they were selling in the show room at the time.

The only thing I found that because the engine was quite small, unless the outboard was flat out the rectifier output was next to useless, so added a 20w solar panel as well, this was much more useful.

He also told me that the Mariner was just a re-badged Mercury to get around some import restrictions in one of the countries they were supplying, don't know how true it was, but I could see it happening!

 

[charles_reed]

I had a Mercury 8hp of the same era and build Belgium made 1998/9 model which I converted to a sail drive by adding a high thrust prop same size as the saildrive version and a flywheel charging system ( retifier) This I was told by the Merc Agent would make my engine basically the same spec as the sail drive they were selling in the show room at the time.

The only thing I found that because the engine was quite small, unless the outboard was flat out the rectifier output was next to useless, so added a 20w solar panel as well, this was much more useful.

He also told me that the Mariner was just a re-badged Mercury to get around some import restrictions in one of the countries they were supplying, don't know how true it was, but I could see it happening!

Partly true - both are re-badged Tohatsu.

 

[VicS]

Partly true - both are re-badged Tohatsu.

I dont think that is true of the models in question.

 

[Seajet]

' Saildrive ' type outboards usually have a remote fuel tank and an uprated charging system as well as the larger prop; typically 6 instead of the usual 3 amps.

I have heard good things about the 6hp Tohatsu, but as with all outboards check the weight, can you lift the thing in and out of the water or will it be a constant drag when sailing ?!

If the answer is no, look for a good secondhand 2 stroke.

 

[RobF]

' Saildrive ' type outboards usually have a remote fuel tank and an uprated charging system as well as the larger prop; typically 6 instead of the usual 3 amps.

I have heard good things about the 6hp Tohatsu, but as with all outboards check the weight, can you lift the thing in and out of the water or will it be a constant drag when sailing ?!

If the answer is no, look for a good secondhand 2 stroke.

As an owner of the 6hp Tohatus saildrive, it is a good engine. Reliable, not too heavy (as it's only single cylinder). Battery charging isn't great but probably puts in 0.25a/h.

It may help if the OP gave a bit of context here. Are they looking to buy a new outboard or a second-hand outboard, or are they looking to re-prop an existing outboard?

 

[Thedreamoneday]

As an owner of the 6hp Tohatus saildrive, it is a good engine. Reliable, not too heavy (as it's only single cylinder). Battery charging isn't great but probably puts in 0.25a/h.

It may help if the OP gave a bit of context here. Are they looking to buy a new outboard or a second-hand outboard, or are they looking to re-prop an existing outboard?

I've got my hands on a 2002 Mariner 4hp 'Sailmate' which is in really good condition and when I've tried to find out about 'Sailmate' via Google I can't find any real info on it, also 'Saildrive' keeps popping up!!

So what I'm trying to establish is what does 'Sailmate' mean, if anything?

Cheers

 

[Seajet]

In that case, possibly a slightly larger or coarser prop.

Not sure about the other things like uprated charging - that requires testing -, but one would hope it uses an external fuel tank ?

 

[Thedreamoneday]

In that case, possibly a slightly larger or coarser prop.

Not sure about the other things like uprated charging - that requires testing -, but one would hope it uses an external fuel tank ?

It has an internal tank but I'm not sure if it can accommodate an external tank too.

 

[VicS]

In that case, possibly a slightly larger or coarser prop.

Not sure about the other things like uprated charging - that requires testing -, but one would hope it uses an external fuel tank ?

For a sailing boat it may , in fact very probably will, have a finer pitch propeller. It is not likely to have a coarser pitch prop than the standard engine.

 

[Seajet]

I thought the idea with sail props is less acceleration but ' longer legs ' when one attains cruising speed ?

Having said that I agree my standard Mariner 5hp 2-stroke required slight ( DIY ) trimming of the prop blades to get to full revs, but I considered that was due to heavy load on getting going.

 

[BarryH]

I have a Mercury 8hp saildrive outboard. The differences are the pitch of the propeller and the blade area. Think Micky Mouse ears, thats the shape of the blades. It has a charging output which will put a charge into the battery if its running at anything above half throttle for a good length of time.
The prop slides on the shaft, so when going astern the prop slides back to a stop. There is a cone shaped cup on the shaft behind the prop that is supposed to shut of the thru hub exhaust. I take it so there isnt any chance of the prop cavitating. Works sometimes!
My one is an "extra" long shaft model. If anything it puts the prop too low in the water. I could probably get away with a normal long shaft model.
Mine is a 2 stroke model and am looking to change it for a four stroke next year. I'm leaning towards the Mariner badged 8hp as there seeems to be some decent deals about. Seems silly buying it now and having to store it until next march. Just hope there still a few deals to be had then!!

 

[Seajet]

BarryH,

I take it you don't lift and stow your engine when sailing ?

On my boat this is essential, the drag of an engine left in the well - and the surprising amount of noise from sloshing turbulence - is too much to tolerate, let alone the much faster progress and relative immunity to lobster pots etc when the engine is out and the fairing plug fitted.

If you do raise your engine, check the weight of the 4-stroke you are thinking of...

 

[VicS]

The serial number makes it a Belgium made 1998/9 model

I've got my hands on a 2002 Mariner 4hp 'Sailmate'

It has an internal tank but I'm not sure if it can accommodate an external tank too.

Apologies It is a 2002 model as you say not a 1999 model

If it is designed to take a remote tank without modification it will have a connector for the fuel line.

You dont say if it is a 2 stroke or 4 stroke engine but the parts diagrams show the provision to connect a remote tank in both cases.

The Sailmate versions appear to have an "alternator coil" but it is not clear if the rectifier for battery charging is standard or if this is an optional extra

The 4stroke 4 hp Sailmate appears to have a 6" pitch prop in place of the standard 7" pitch .

It is not clear what prop is fitted to 2 stroke models as standard but 6" pitch high reverse thrust props were available.

I am only finding the "Sailmate" designation in connection with 4 strokes ... is it a 4 stroke?


The point is surely does the engine have the features you require. Presumably if you are looking at a Sailmate you intend using it as the auxiliary on a small sailing cruiser. If so it will have the features for that application.

 

[VicS]

I thought the idea with sail props is less acceleration but ' longer legs ' when one attains cruising speed ?

Having said that I agree my standard Mariner 5hp 2-stroke required slight ( DIY ) trimming of the prop blades to get to full revs, but I considered that was due to heavy load on getting going.

No they are a fine pitch prop because a displacement hull is generally slower than an light run-about. To get the full power from the engine it must run faster at the same speed hence a low gear ratio, which is obtained by using a lower pitch prop.
In theory you would have been better off swapping to a lower pitch prop. By reducing the blade size to get higher revs you are possibly sacrificing some thrust.
A 6" pitch, high reverse thrust prop is available for your engine. AFAIK the standard prop is 7" pitch

In practice you may not notice much difference

To put some numbers on it my Yachtwin has a 9¼" x 6½" pitch prop with Mickey Mouse ear blades. The standard 6 hp engine has a 8½" x 9" pitch prop.

The downside of having the lower pitch prop is of course that the engine revs are higher all the time that they would otherwise be

 

[xeitosaphil]

BarryH,

I take it you don't lift and stow your engine when sailing ?

On my boat this is essential, the drag of an engine left in the well - and the surprising amount of noise from sloshing turbulence - is too much to tolerate, let alone the much faster progress and relative immunity to lobster pots etc when the engine is out and the fairing plug fitted.

If you do raise your engine, check the weight of the 4-stroke you are thinking of...

Seajet, not sure about the OP but I had a Mercury 8hp 2/stroke long shaft when I had my H22. It lived in the well as it was too heavy to lift out, I used to use the boom to lift it in and out when the need arose, but there is no way I could do it in a seaway and it would also be a big heavy lump to move about and store.

Apparently the Merc 8hp was the same physical size as the Merc 15Hp but just de-rated to 8hp.

Like you say, with it in the water all the time it does cause a little drag and you have to watch the fouling issues.