Considering my options

higgs · Apr 30, 2009

One thing for sure - I would not leave a three blade that is never used and only slows the boat down both under sail and power.

sailingdog · Apr 30, 2009

Yank it and glass over the through-hulls... and use the space for something else.

Stu Jackson · Apr 30, 2009

Too quick answers to your issue

Manny

The Renault engine was recently reported to be on a Kubota block by another poster (not you I believe).

Why not just take the prop off for the time being, and figure out how to fix the engine?

Then you can make some time to find a way to fix what is probably not a bad piece of internal hardware.

petersea · May 1, 2009

IMHO take it out UNLESS you are that concerned about having an emergency engine HOWEVER to have an reliable emergency engine you will still have to maintain it (run on a regular basis, maintenance of fuel system,battery etc etc.) By your own admission it was "cantankerous" so got to question how reliable it will be. Then you still have the dragging prop issue regardless of a three or optional two blade. Today's newer outboards are very reliable so really question the need for a second engine. Remember in addition to getting extra space where the engine and shaft was you will also free up where the fuel tank was unless you are using for the outboard. Might be better off getting a towing contract with Boats US or some similar service as an "emergency"

frmreilly · May 1, 2009

Keep it in and maintain it -- an engine is always good to charge batteries. Plus, unless you plan to put a new engine in the hole, it's a lot of bother to get it out and (God forbid) you may do damage. Plus, if you ever intend to sell the boat, inboard is always better.

Stu Jackson · May 1, 2009

Prop & picture

Manny said:
2) Leave it as an emergency engine but try and find an inexpensive used two blade sailboat prop that is close enough in size and pitch to work if needed?

Manny,

In your photo in your new topic, why is the strut covered up?

Also just occurred to me: many of us sail with fixed three blade props, and do OK. So save some $$ and time for when you fix your engine and leave the prop right where it is.

Ross · May 1, 2009

I will bet good money that if you spent as much money getting that diesel properly repaired as you have spent on the outboard engine it would run perfectly and you would have no complaint about it.

Stu Jackson · May 1, 2009

Good point Ross

but he now has an engine for his dinghy!

Bad Obsession · May 1, 2009

I agree with others. If you have an inboard diesel you should get it fixed because it is a much better source of power than an outboard. For the price of the outboard you may have been able to have it fixed, rebuilt, or have someone look at it and figure out what is wrong with it.

Diesels aren't as complex of an animal as people make them out to be. I use to be intimidated by my diesel engine. I was even scared to change the oil. I have changed the oil, bled the system, changed the fuel filter, put a new fresh water circulating pump on it, and diagnosed problems when it wasn't running (Turned out to be a corroded ground).

If a diesel is running rough you start by thinking it could be in the fuel like because if it is starting then it has electric. You check the fuel filter, the lines, and bleed it to make sure the diesel is running through the system fine. That is the starting point. If those are working then it could be injectors. At that point I would be calling a mechanic but there are others on here who could probably give you further.

End point being that the diesel is not that complex of an animal.

petersea · May 1, 2009

Manny, It would appear you have already made a decision about your engine as you purchased the outboard and installed it and even went so far as to beef up transom. Not much point in having a second engine that is unreliable. As other have mentioned it might have been more cost effective to fix the inboard but Renault parts are getting harder and harder to find as well as depending on the age of the engine it is " almost antique" 25 to 30 years old. Stick with your plan and use the space for some other ideas or just leave it but first do a long term lay up to the engine and fuel systems, remove prop and forget it is there. Just my thoughts !

petersea · May 1, 2009

Another thought, maybe a compromise, is to do nothing this year and wait to see how you like the outboard engine,. By leaving ever thing in place you still have the option to repair. rebuild engine in the future and sell the outboard.

sailaway78 · May 1, 2009

IMHO

If you take the diesel out, you are going to remove probably 300 lbs. of dead weight in the stern. IMHO this is going to upset the balance of the boat. Maybe a lot. I have a friend who added a bunch of weight in the rear of a new Hunter 36. (Genset, and then lead to balance the list from the gen.) Now the boat pounds in a head sea. There is much more to be considered than just the engine in or not.

sailingdog · May 1, 2009

This is partially offset by the weight of the outboard, which, although lighter, is far further aft...

Nice N Easy said:
If you take the diesel out, you are going to remove probably 300 lbs. of dead weight in the stern. IMHO this is going to upset the balance of the boat. Maybe a lot. I have a friend who added a bunch of weight in the rear of a new Hunter 36. (Genset, and then lead to balance the list from the gen.) Now the boat pounds in a head sea. There is much more to be considered than just the engine in or not.

Benny · May 1, 2009

Pick it up on your boom using the toping lift and swing it to the side of the boat. Have a couple of beers and drop it overboard. Sailboats don't need a backup engine. You can use the space quite nicely for storage.

Ross · May 1, 2009

Manny, If you decide to take it out and be done with it, I will take it off your hands. Just tell me when and where.

petersea · May 2, 2009

Have you considered replacing the Renault with a Yanmar or another brand ? Go with a larger 2 cylinder. this will be expensive but will keep the original inboard type set up for resale. How important is resale to you ? The weight issue will be offset by combined weight of new outboard engine and what ever gear you put in where former engine space was so not really an issue in my mind. While I also like redundancy but got to think two engines (especially one that is "cantankerous") is a little too much,think of your tow insurance as being redundant for the outboard. Remember you will be doing redundant winterizing, redundant oil and filer changes, redundant battery purchase etc etc.You will also have to carry two types of fuel on board now and diesel is dirty and smelly despite what anyone says it is. So you can lose 50 to 100 pounds of weight to eliminate the diesel you will need to carry for back up engine. Do you really need a back up system for the kind of boating you do ?? Very few sail boats have a redundant engine system, a lot of big power boats have two engines but it is not for redundancy. I think more power boats get towed back to port then sail boats but that is just my observation. Maintain the outboard forget the diesel and put a cooler where old engine was and have cold beer !

Considering my options

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