I have not heard either way. Is it recommended to stay away from the open waters with an outboard? I am wondering about a distance from like San Fransico to Hawaii. I think the biggest concern would be losing the motor. Any thoughts out there?
Blue water cruising with an outboard?
- Thread starter rtmmurray
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your infinitely more likely to lose the motor as the boat sets in the marina unattended.....
powerboaters (and sailboaters) have been using outboards to propel their boats for many, many years in open water, hung from the transom or bracket mounted. loss of the motor is the least likely problem you may encounter, unless it has been mounted to the boat improperly.
in the last few years, with the development, improvements and fuel economy of the 4stroke outboard, a LOT of boats that would have normally in the past been outfitted with an inboard engine, are using big outboards for propulsion....
time and distance across an ocean has more potential impact on the safe passage of the entire boat and crew, than it does with how long the outboard will hang on the transom, providing its mounted correctly to begin with...
powerboaters (and sailboaters) have been using outboards to propel their boats for many, many years in open water, hung from the transom or bracket mounted. loss of the motor is the least likely problem you may encounter, unless it has been mounted to the boat improperly.
in the last few years, with the development, improvements and fuel economy of the 4stroke outboard, a LOT of boats that would have normally in the past been outfitted with an inboard engine, are using big outboards for propulsion....
time and distance across an ocean has more potential impact on the safe passage of the entire boat and crew, than it does with how long the outboard will hang on the transom, providing its mounted correctly to begin with...
I would worry more about the C27 more than the outboard. With that type of distance you will be under sail most of the way. Autopilot, water-maker, solar panels, batteries..
If I were in a Catalina 27 and was hit by a wave powerful enought to rip off my chained and bolted on outboard, I'd be more concernced with getting all that water out of the cockpit and cabin, instead of a motor I'm not using that much anyway.... The cockpit scuppers on our boats are woefully inadequate for that type of passage and there is no bridge deck...
i was once on a race in open sea in south australia and broke the rudder and found it a laborious slow trip back with the prop surfacing on every wave. yes we made it and the outboard did it but make sure you carry adequate fuel.
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