Leaving the dock with an outboard motor

[Robin F]

Hi All, First let me say that I am a complete novice to sailing. I bought a 1978 Macgregor 22 and I just completed my ASA Keelboat 101 class with 3 days on the water in a harbor here in So. Cal. The great part about this was that we were having high winds late in the afternoon with small craft warnings. I say it was great because I was able to push my abilities with a Captain aboard to train me. Here's my problem, I was trained on a Harbor 20 racing boat that had a small electric motor that you swung out of the lazerette and controled the the boat steering with the tiller and rudder on the boat, no problem. My boat has an outboard motor and I have never used an outboard with a tiller and a tiller/rudder. Do you tie off the boat tiller and control the turning of the boat the the tiller on the OB. I have a DVD that shows a single person on what looks to be a Catalina 23 and he is operating the with what appears to be both tillers. I didn't think to ask this question because I was more afraid of hitting another boat during class.
I really apreciate everyone's help.

 

[caguy]

Usually you steer with just the rudder tiller, but I have used both when I needed to turn sharply as in a narrow channel. With both you can practically get the boat to spin.

 

[Robin F]

Usually you steer with just the rudder tiller, but I have used both when I needed to turn sharply as in a narrow channel. With both you can practically get the boat to spin.

Thanks Caguy, Is there a way to lock out the OB tiller? I was thinking why someone has not made a quick disconnect bar to connect both tillers together while motoring out of the marina?

 

[caguy]

They have, some use them in crowded and difficult to manuever slips.
Here is an easily fabricated solution. (Scroll half way down to pictures)

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=20807&whichpage=3

 

[MrBill_FLL]

there is usually a set screw to tighten the swinging of the ob. (on the LU) you want it kinda stiff. in close quarters it can help to turn both the tiller and OB. some have made linkage to the rudder for the OB.

Also note the boat will turn to one side better that the other, and reverse can be less than effective. (in high current I'll swing a 180 and use forward on low to keep from running under a bridge, or when I really need to stop).


GL!

 

[timebandit]

If you have a transom mounted outboard motor there are a lot of options but if you have a mount like this on your boat lots of luck just lock it fwd.

There is one good thing to say about this mount---the motor is far enuff back that you won't eat the rudder with the prop when turning the rudder hard over with the motor locked straight ahead.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Not sure about the 22 but on the 26Cs if you aren't careful your prop will nibble on the rudder. I installed a prop guard.
My Merc 9.9 has a tension lever to lock it in place

edit (Dang! just read Timebandit's post)

 

[Robin F]

Thank you everyone. This really helps a lot. When I am a little less embarressed I'll post a story about my first time in the marina last week and my outboard. I am just starting to gain a sense of humor about it.

 

[Sumner]

..I was thinking why someone has not made a quick disconnect bar to connect both tillers together while motoring out of the marina?

I and others have made what you are talking about...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-29.html

some videos...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UYc2ZHehS8&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COMAPYd5WTg&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sWbLBGc1Is&feature=relmfu


...It really helps, but the solution is going to be different depending on which outboard you have and which boat you have as they will all require a different type of connector.

We only use ours while anchoring or in a tight channel or coming into a dock. Otherwise the outboard is pointed straight ahead and the lock bolt Bill talks about has been tightened just to the point where it doesn't turn easily.

Going down the lake we have the tiller centered and then turn the outboard slightly one way or the other to the point where the boat will go straight.

Good luck,

Sum

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

 

[Timo42]

Keep the o/b straight and steer with the tiller in most cases. Experiment in the middle of the harbor with backing and o/b steering. Go slow, and don't forget that full reverse will stop you pretty quickly.

We really ought to have a SoCal get together, seems to be quite a few of us.

Hey Frank, My new main sail is supposed to arrive Friday, wanna try to break it?in.

 

[caguy]

Hey Timo, I have a kevlar halyard, that and your new winches should break it easily.
A raft up in Catalina or Newport Harbor would be a blast. July 6 - 13 works for me.
This weekend is going to be cold, but we can pretend we are on the right coast.

 

[Timo42]

If you will remember, I wasn't even using the winch at the time, I was leaning on the halyard, which wasn't very bright in retrospect. At least my outboard starts every time and doesn't fall off the boat

Looks like the top slug wedged in the track because of the offset block and the wind, maybe time to rethink the masthead fitting.

 

[timebandit]

Something to remember about steering with the motor locked in the forward position is that the rudder must have water flowing over it to actually turn the boat (just like a big boat).

Prop walk is your friend. Forward at an idle the stern will move to the right and the oppsite way in reverse.

 

[Robin F]

Keep the o/b straight and steer with the tiller in most cases. Experiment in the middle of the harbor with backing and o/b steering. Go slow, and don't forget that full reverse will stop you pretty quickly.

We really ought to have a SoCal get together, seems to be quite a few of us.

Hey Frank, My new main sail is supposed to arrive Friday, wanna try to break it?in.

Thanks Timo42. I will do that. A get together would great as well.

 

[nemosuit]

Hi All, I bought a 1978 Macgregor 22

Hey Robin!

I see everyone else answered your initial question, so....

I'm restoring a '78 Mac 22, like yours. Is there anywhere we can see tons and tons of pictures of your boat? Interior, exterior, rigging, etc.? It would sure be a lot of help to me, and probably to others working on M-boats of that vintage.

Very Best Regards,

Pat

 

[Robin F]

Pictures

Hey Robin!

I see everyone else answered your initial question, so....

I'm restoring a '78 Mac 22, like yours. Is there anywhere we can see tons and tons of pictures of your boat? Interior, exterior, rigging, etc.? It would sure be a lot of help to me, and probably to others working on M-boats of that vintage.

Very Best Regards,

Pat

Hi Pat, I am new to this forum and I do have a few pictures. Let me see if I can post them to my profile. I won't be down to the dock until next weekend. Is there anything specific you'd like to see. I have to redo all the wiring for the lights. I currently have all the cushions removed so I can have them recovered. I plan on installing a switch panel for lights and electricals.
This is my first boat and the plan is to keep it for a couple of years while I am learning to sail and then purchase a newer 26.

Again, thanks for everyone's help. Robin.

 

[nemosuit]

Hi Pat, I am new to this forum and I do have a few pictures. Let me see if I can post them to my profile. I won't be down to the dock until next weekend. Is there anything specific you'd like to see. I have to redo all the wiring for the lights. I currently have all the cushions removed so I can have them recovered. I plan on installing a switch panel for lights and electricals.
This is my first boat and the plan is to keep it for a couple of years while I am learning to sail and then purchase a newer 26.

Again, thanks for everyone's help. Robin.

Thanks Robin! We seem to be on the same page with what we're building and what we'd like next. Look forward to your pics, and I'll start a file showing what I've done with my 78Mac22 so far, too. We'll probably encounter many of the same situations. Maybe we can swap info, resources, etc? This group is the best place to start. Great folks here who've been a lot of help to me.

VBR,

Pat

 

[Timo42]

Tried to do an owners modification article with the pics, but it vanished. Here are some of mine. Originally had the fuseblock behind the bulkhead, but it was no fun looking for a blown fuse at anchor one night. VHF and 2m radios, on the same antenna with a switch. Ran new marine wire to everything instead of the oem lamp cord, still wiring cabin lights. 2 batteries on either side of the keel well, added an alternator to the 6hp Tohatsu. Used a Ram arm to mount the chartplotter, I know a guy who does good work on cushions if you are interested, Robin.

 

[nemosuit]

Great stuff, Timo! Thanks! Every time I see another owner's boat, I get ideas of what I might do to mine. It all helps!

VBR,

Pat

 

[Robin F]

Timo, WOW! that's very nice, well sorted. Can I hire you to do my electricals (jk)? I can't believe that the brown lamp cord is OEM. I thought the last person that owned the boat put that in.
I have my winter project cut out for me.
Thanks.