Steering with outboard

[Dave_Knowles]

I have just been down to the river to check the boat and I was wandering if I was to power the boat by the auxiliary outboard facing straight would I be able to steer using the outdrive leg?
If I could it would help in the placement of the outboard which could sit between the bathing platform and the outdrive leg. Also steering an outboard is not the easiest thing to do because it is hard to see where you are heading when hanging over the back.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care
Dave
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[itsonlymoney]

Cant see why not. Surely leg would act as a rudder ?
Ian

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[Dave_Knowles]

What I was not sure about was whether the outdrive really needed the propeller turning to steer, because when you take the drive out of gear you really loose all steering.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care
Dave
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[itsonlymoney]

True !
I am sure someone will have a more definitive answer. However I have seen plenty of outboard brackets mounted in the way you say.
Ian

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[mjf]

I think you will find the leg alone (ie not motive power) will be a useless rudder.

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[Talbot]

I have seen a heath robinson contraption behind an outdrive leg as a rudder, and believe that this is the only way you could get the boat to steer without main engines running. An alternative approach would be to fit a pulley system from outdrive to outboard and thus steer both together.

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[theguvnor]

How will you control the speed ? (if there is any)

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[itsonlymoney]

Presumably you need shmbo hanging off the back operating the throttle

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[hlb]

You should be able to steer it a bit, once enough speed is built up, but you wont be able to manuver much. Might be ok for an emergency type thing, but not ggod enough for full time usage. The rudder thingy conected to the outdrive might help a bit.

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Haydn

 

[Its_Only_Money]

Dave, I used to do this on occasion with my 18footer, it will work best if you turn the aux towards the centreline of the boat and lock it, this will give you more even turning capability to both sides (if you leave it straight you will probably only be able to turn away from the auxiliary side). Turning won't be great and will dissappear at low(er) speed due to zero prop wash over the leg but at 5kts it was far more relaxing and comfortable steering from the helm than from the transom!

As with most things, success will largely depend on your setup, relative sizes of the engines, size of boat etc, find some clear water and try it /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

<hr width=100% size=1>Rgds

Simon
Its Only Money
Fairline Sprint
Solent-based

 

[Dave_Knowles]

I think general the feeling is what I feared. I did see once though a drawing of an outboard bracket (American I think) that fitted on the outdrive. Goodness how you would fit the outboard on it if you needed to though.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care
Dave
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[duncan]

also depends on the outdrive - I have a Bravo III and this is a large enough rudder to have significant effect.

on my previous boat - 21ft - I used a 4hp on the transom locked and steered with the 'leg' of the 175 Merc outboard fine in open water.

as hlb says speed is a major factor.

manovering is very limited in any event as you have little by the way of acceleration or braking - if you think the latter a funny comment I would highlight the fact that an in gear main drive will significantly 'brake' the boat as engine speed is reduced, way below goign to neutral. The aux just won't have that bite - let alone any impact put in reverse!

I thought you had a pretty chunky aux rigged anyway?

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[Dave_Knowles]

Hi Duncan,

Yes the auxiliary is now a 9 HP Mariner after my previous encounters and having just replaced everything other than the starter motor from the bottom end up at a cost of £3.5K I hope I shall now not need it. Unfortunately my confidence is not that high due to the past.

For the record it started with a cam belt change and service and ended up with a complete head rebuild, new water pump, new ignition system including distributor, new alternator, new oil cooler, new morse control etc etc. Also I fitted a water filter before the water pump to avoid having to replace the pump on a regular basis.

But still the confidence will have to grow.

<hr width=100% size=1>Take care
Dave
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[Dean]

Why not put an adjustable rod between the two so that when you turn the outdrive the outboard turns also.
All you would need is a bracket clamping on each, or ball joints similar to cars.

Dean

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[BarryH]

Read all the replies with interest. Lots of budding Heath Robinsons out and about, but erm, why not just buy a tiller extension! Works for me. Or if you want to join the Heath Robinson Club, make one from 2 inch waste pipe.

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