Make a Prediction....

[DonofPaw]

So my 4.5 kicker is in the shop needs a new water pump, guy wants 250 another person says I can get it done for 150 or less...... either way it probably won't get done for the weekend. How fast do you think I could get my O'Day 22 going using an electric trolling motor rated for 36 pounds of thrust? The O'Day weighs about 2200 pounds I'm told river has a peak current of about 3 knots depending on the tide. I think it would be fine for getting off the dock and mooring, I'm more worried about going thru a raised bridge. Not supposed to use sail.... Opinions... I really want to get out this weekend as we're going to be going away soon and I still haven't gotten out for a sail with my brand new toy

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

My seat of pants prediction

If you have ever gas motored your boat and needed more than 1/4 throttle to make head way or maintain steerage, I would guess your electric motor could be a let down and a real handful thru a bridge with rapid current. Especially if you don't get an opening on demand. Anybody close by with an outboard rowboat? Invite them and their motor for a sail!

 

[Ross]

You could go faster with a pair of oars

36 pounds of thrust isn't very much.

 

[Benny]

How fast? Oh about 3 knots with the current.

Against the current? oh about three knots backwards. That motor has very little power and will easily be overwhelmed by any current or wind. Borrow or rent a gas engine if you wan't to go out this weekend.

 

[Manny]

What's wrong with the pump?

If it's just the impeller you can do it yourself in a few hours if the repair shop has the parts - plus it's probably under $25.Trolling motor probably wont do much for you, especially with that sort of current. If you decide to try it anyway, make sure your tow insurance is up to date.Manny

 

[Stu Jackson]

Yes, I did that once

on our C25. The 7.5 HP Merc was in the shop, so we put our 1.2 Johnson (no gears) "eggbeater' on. Bit o'current coming up to a bridge required a 180 and we were still going towards the bridge. Don't do it if it's chancy, not worth messing up the entire boat.

 

[DannyS]

I just removed an impeller...

on a 4hp Mariner this week. Never done it before and it was a simple job. The water pump wasn't spitting the "tell tale". Thinking it was an impeller, we went to the library, checked out the repair manual for Mariner outboards, and had the old broken impeller out in about 45 minutes. Waiting on the replacement so I don't know how fast it'll go back together, I know getting the gears to mesh will be a little tricky but i'm guessing I could have it back together in an hour.