spare motor?

[ticomic]

Yo!
I really appreciated Steve N's reply to an earlier post about MD21 RPM's.

I am the happy owner of a lobster-type boat, with a 4cyl Volvo diesel. Nobody in these parts has anything that remotely resembles my boat. And there isn't much in print about spare motors on this type of boat. My question is : what type (read hp/size) outboard should I have aboard ? It measures 30 by nine, has a flat bottom and draws 30 in max of water at the end of the keel. Weight is apparently 5K pounds, all dressed. My main concern is to be able to get out of the channel azzap in case the diesel catches cold or hiccups. The big boys go by darn fast ! Would a 9.9 do or maybe 18 or 30, all 3 being popular on the used market?
Best regards from chilly Québec!
Gary C


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[Rick]

Not really sure what a Lobster boat is, but if the requirement is to quickly deploy a spare engine in case of primary failure, I'd suspect ease of deployment is as valuable as ultimate power - powerwise, my 30 foot by 10 foot 7,500 lb yacht used to achieve 5.4 knots with a 12 hp Yanmar via 2:1 box and 14x9 3 blade prop, and a sistershipo gets over 5 using a Yammie 9.9. On that basis a Yamaha 9.9 hi-thrust outboard should get out of trouble, being 2/3rds the weight.

I'm assuming your's is a displacement boat, in which case you may find that larger outboards have no gain as they tend to have higher speed props - Yamaha and Honda are about the only companies making outboards specifically for low speed work (unless Seagull is still in the game).

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[ticomic]

Yo!
Thanks for the measurements, Rick! Very encouraging indeed! Long-legged 9.9's can be bought at good prices here in Québec. Mounted permanently on the stern, it would probably help me dock because our marina is subject to side winds and tidal currents. The prop side thrust or whatever it is called does not make things too easy sometimes. I've just elongated the rudder up front past the shaft to catch more water from the prop. I sometimes dream of an electric trolling motor mounted up front to push the nose in...the 2 bulldozer batteries wouldn't mind.
Bow thrusters are out...waaaaay too expensive. If we weren't cramped, like 2-3 feet between boats, things would be more relaxed. I don't want to scratch any of the sailboats. Happy sailing to you and thanks again.
GaryC

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[Guest]

Mercury Saildrive O/bds

Made a 7.5 and a 9.9 ...... they had reduction gearboxs to give better thrust rather than revs ..... which is what you need.

The 7.5 would push a displacement yacht of 2 - 3 ton no problem, the 9.9 pushing 3 - 4 etc.

The problem with bigger engines is physical lifting etc. - they tend to be heavy. So an engine in the small to mid range to cover your needs should be a good back-up.


<hr width=100% size=1>Nigel ... and of course Yahoo groups :
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/

 

[rex_seadog]

Hi Gary

Chilly Quebec? Surely not at this time of year unless you are way up north? Where are you located? I spent 8-9 years in PQ, first in Montreal and then in Iberville. The summer was often like a Turkish bath.

As for you question, I can only agree with Rick and Nigel. Our sailing boat weighs in at about 4000 lbs and we used to use a 9.9 Yamaha 4 stroke long shaft which was more than adequateas the main auxilliary engine. When that expired (expensive carburettor problem) we replaced it with an 8 HP Mariner Sailmate 2 stroke which does the job, albeit with a little less power in reserve for punching into head winds and big seas. It is, however, much lighter which for us is a useful bonus although, being a two stroke, it's rather more thirsty. We store our dinghy engine, a little 2 HP Mariner, on a drop down bracket on the transom and in emergencies even this would provide enough grunt to provide steerage way in sheltered waters.

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[ticomic]

Yo!
Thanks, Rex. I miss my little Sea Horse 15 which served me well for 20 years pushing a 14-foot alum. skiff all over the province. A 9.9 is as dependable. I'm convinced it's enough. At 7Cmin and 15Cmax, we are a bit below the usual 11C and 21C averages. I'm 60 miles past Québec city on the North Shore. The cucumbers are having one heck of a time! We hit 4C last weekend. Our bay empties out one mile, with tides from 12 to 23 feet. The St-Lawrence is treacherous here because there is hardly any depth, and the prevailing winds have changed from N to S-W, so the waves can hit 3-4 M in no time flat, and are very short . The fellow who sold me his boat worked all his life on tugs and his fun was to go get his buddies when they experienced problems. It can cruise at 8K for days at 1800 RPM. The tidal currents are very strong in some spots, and can turn a 30-footer 90 degrees in about 5 seconds. All in all, it's a relief to have a boat I can stay offshore with in comfort and safety if I miss the tide. Thanks again and good weather to you too!
GaryC

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[extravert]

A steerable outboard is helpful for tricky berthing. Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke engines have a good reputation, but parts are expensive (here, anyway).

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.