outboards as aux.engine

nedmin

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Wonder if anyone had experimented with using an outboard as an aux. engine to propel a 38ft steel displacement cruiser.Only needed for steerage to get one out of trouble on tidal rivers.
 

jerryat

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Hi nedmin,

Don't know about a 38' steel yacht 'cos that's gonna be a lot heavier than my boat which is circa 4.5 tons, but I made a teak and aluminium 'clip on' bracket that fits over the s/s boarding ladder (folded up) rests against the transom, and carries my 'eggwhisk', i.e. Yamaha 2hp!! In flat water and little or no wind, it'll shove her along at around a knot and a half!!

Hardly water-skiing stuff, but handy if we ever needed to creep to a place to anchor/go alongside in an emergency. I see no reason why a larger, but lightish outboard shouldn't be deployed in a similar way on your boat, perhaps with a fixed bracket and a lifting tackle.

Just an idea!

Cheers Jerry
 

nedmin

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Cheers Jerry. Never bothered me before but one of my friends went on the R.Trent at the w/end and picked up a large bag that builders merchants use for delivering sand.Unfortunately it took both props out! once slipped, bag removed and no damage I thought something about 20hp fixed and use the existing rudder.
 

VicS

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Not quite the same situation, more serious perhaps. We once used the smallest Seagull engine (40 Fetherweight) to take a 31 ft sailing yacht with a failed engine a good distance down the Little Russell towards St Peter Port. The engine was fitted to the yacht's inflatable dinghy which we lashed alongside.
It certainly got us out of trouble, and the cross tide carrying us towards the rocks north of Herm

Before someone asks: we would have sailed had there been any wind. In fact we subsequenly sailed it back across the channel to Chichester via Weymouth.
 

BrendanS

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Somewehere in the archives, you'll find that a 90+' ish custom built boat was taken from Scotland (or way up North) to South Coast with 2 outboards on a frame on the rear of the hull. Interesting in many ways!
 

graham

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Re: yanmar diesel outboard.

I think Yanmar still make diesel outboards about 30 hp.which would get you going in calm water but handling in a tight space would be interesting.

If I was going to try it for regular use I would go for a 15 hp long shaft on each side. with remote controls this would give you power and better manouverability.

All the major manufacturers make high thrust props for use on yachts as auxillaries but not often for boats as large as yours!
 
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