Sailors Need Help!! I've had a couple of e-mails from folks who are considering boats to purchase and both prospective buyers are located on the east coast. The question has arisen in our mail back and forth as to which is better under small craft warning conditions, Inboard or Outboard power. My personal preference is inboard diesel power, but there may be others out there with outboard experience who are pleased with the performance of their outboards. What do YOU think? How does your inboard or outboard drive in 4-6 footers? Are you happy with your powering system? Would you switch if you could? Why? What do you see as the advantage(s) of your auxiliary power system? Disadvantages? Both of these buyers are new to sailing and would appreciate your input. I know they are looking for some good stuff from the folks here at ODO
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Daniel Jonas
Inboard vs outboard
In my experience an outboard, mounted at the rear of the sailboat, will come out of the water as you travel through seas that are in that range. Keeping one hand on the throttle and making adequate progress can become difficult. Then I wonder why your friends would want to be out in small craft conditions in a boat that is small enough that the outboard is an option. Just my opinion, but most sailboats that use outboards for auxillary power qualify as small craft. Although I suspect you could hang an outboard on just about anything. Anybody got a 30hp outboard hung off the back of a 30' or larger sail boat?
In my experience an outboard, mounted at the rear of the sailboat, will come out of the water as you travel through seas that are in that range. Keeping one hand on the throttle and making adequate progress can become difficult. Then I wonder why your friends would want to be out in small craft conditions in a boat that is small enough that the outboard is an option. Just my opinion, but most sailboats that use outboards for auxillary power qualify as small craft. Although I suspect you could hang an outboard on just about anything. Anybody got a 30hp outboard hung off the back of a 30' or larger sail boat?
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Brian Jarchow
Inboard or calm seas only
I have motored a J/30 in small-craft conditions with 4-5 foot seas, and I have been in several smaller boats, both with inboard & outboard engines in lighter weather. On the J/30 the inboard's screw never came out of the water. Ditto smaller 25 and 27 footers in 3-4 foot seas. But in seas of 2-3 feet I have seen and heard the outboard screws come out of the water on the boats I have been on as well as other boats in my vicinity. In the experiences I have had, sailing 25 footers during SCAs is not much different than sailing a 32 footer in a gale. Not something I would want to do for fun, definately outside of my comfort zone, but something that can be done with experience. But motoring a small sailboat with an outboard in those conditions is an experience I hope I never have to repeat. The only thing that worked for us was one competent person on the tiller and one competent person on the throttle. Squeamish, scared, and seasick people onboard would not have been able to help on either task, and they were unable to assist in docking after we got inside the breakwater. One last comment - people new to sailing really have no business being out in an SCA without experienced crew onboard. People I know consider me experienced, and the most important thing my experience has taught me is that some situations should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Brian
I have motored a J/30 in small-craft conditions with 4-5 foot seas, and I have been in several smaller boats, both with inboard & outboard engines in lighter weather. On the J/30 the inboard's screw never came out of the water. Ditto smaller 25 and 27 footers in 3-4 foot seas. But in seas of 2-3 feet I have seen and heard the outboard screws come out of the water on the boats I have been on as well as other boats in my vicinity. In the experiences I have had, sailing 25 footers during SCAs is not much different than sailing a 32 footer in a gale. Not something I would want to do for fun, definately outside of my comfort zone, but something that can be done with experience. But motoring a small sailboat with an outboard in those conditions is an experience I hope I never have to repeat. The only thing that worked for us was one competent person on the tiller and one competent person on the throttle. Squeamish, scared, and seasick people onboard would not have been able to help on either task, and they were unable to assist in docking after we got inside the breakwater. One last comment - people new to sailing really have no business being out in an SCA without experienced crew onboard. People I know consider me experienced, and the most important thing my experience has taught me is that some situations should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Brian
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Brian Jarchow
I meant chop
Where I usually sail the fetch isn't that big so we don't get any big swells, but the experiences I described came from 3-6 foot steep chop in the bay. I haven't tried outboards in ocean swells; they might fare better there. But I stand by my warnings against new sailors going out during SCAs. Brian
Where I usually sail the fetch isn't that big so we don't get any big swells, but the experiences I described came from 3-6 foot steep chop in the bay. I haven't tried outboards in ocean swells; they might fare better there. But I stand by my warnings against new sailors going out during SCAs. Brian
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Mike
Inboard
I had a 27' 1938 Alden & I had to put a 9.9 merc outboard on her. It powered the boat well & I don't recall difficulty in choppy waters. More than the screw popping out of the water, there were a few times when the head got washed. I now have an O'Day 27 with an Atomic 4 and I like it. It has plenty of power -- it's quiet and smooth & it charges the batteries. While the outboard is OK, the inboard is a much better option.
I had a 27' 1938 Alden & I had to put a 9.9 merc outboard on her. It powered the boat well & I don't recall difficulty in choppy waters. More than the screw popping out of the water, there were a few times when the head got washed. I now have an O'Day 27 with an Atomic 4 and I like it. It has plenty of power -- it's quiet and smooth & it charges the batteries. While the outboard is OK, the inboard is a much better option.
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Rob Rich
Check out the Post on Catalina Owners Site
It goes into more detail. For the record, I'm an A-4 fan. Rob
It goes into more detail. For the record, I'm an A-4 fan. Rob
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Thomas Ehmke
Thanks to Rob Rich
Rob, Thanks for the info on the Catalina Post. I have it on my thread tracker for the two fellows who inquired about an ODay 272, wondering which would be better-inboard or outboard power. I had a feeling that most folks would prefer what they "grew up" with, and it seems to be that way after reading the posts. I still feel strongly that an inboard diesel is the most secure, trouble-free way to propel a boat, but, of course, that is the only way I've ever sailed. thanks again Tom
Rob, Thanks for the info on the Catalina Post. I have it on my thread tracker for the two fellows who inquired about an ODay 272, wondering which would be better-inboard or outboard power. I had a feeling that most folks would prefer what they "grew up" with, and it seems to be that way after reading the posts. I still feel strongly that an inboard diesel is the most secure, trouble-free way to propel a boat, but, of course, that is the only way I've ever sailed. thanks again Tom
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