outboard/ fixed or free?

kito · Jun 16, 2015

My Chrysler outboard on my C22 had the throttle/tiller broken off when I bought it. It is always locked in the straight position and I had to use the boats tiller to steer. Works great when underway....easier to use the long tiller instead of reaching back for the short motor's tiller. But it was a pain at the dock especially backing up. I think when in tight situations it would be much easier to raise the boats rudder and use the motor to steer. Another reason for wanting a new motor.

shemandr · Jun 16, 2015

One of the things you'll come to appreciate about sailboats is that the rudder is a huge control surface. As long as you are moving, even a little, you will have pretty good directional control. So, you can leave the outboard centered and simplify your driving. Sometimes you may feel you need the outboard's thrust when you can't get the boat moving in a tight space. That's OK. But overall use the tiller. Practice your slow speed turns away from the launch ramp. Sailboats also coast pretty well so it pays to practice approaching a mooring or whatever at slow speed to see how long you can maintain control.

Ted · Jun 16, 2015

Outboard / fixed or free

You will have more responsive control if you use the engine in conjunction with the rudder. A way to simplify this is to connect the rudder to the outboard with a rigid link so than when you move the tiller, the rudder and the outboard turn in unison.

Ken Cross · Jun 16, 2015

I used to steer with both

In our Mac 26D days I used the motor and tiller sometimes in tight places. I could get tight turning radius with almost no speed. The improvement is most noticable in reverse. It surprised people how I could eject from between larger boats tied too close in front and behind us.

Most of the time however I left the motor streight. An outboard powered sail boat can get you the best of both worlds.

Ken

jwing · Jun 16, 2015

Well, I think you should try to fix your motor and see what happens. Make sure your rudder will not get chewed by the moving prop.

Clearly, a link between the rudder tiller and the motor tiller would be ideal. But so far, I have more important ways to spend my time and money. When leaving the dock, I fix my motor and steer with the rudder. Even with the motor fixed, at the end of a day I have trouble coordinating one hand on a steering tiller and one hand on a throttle tiller, then one hand on the boat hook and one hand on a dock line. That's too many hands for my feeble mind. So, when returning, I pull my rudder out of the water and use just the motor.

Joe · Jun 16, 2015

Steer with the boat's rudder. Backing up may be a bit easier... but once you get used to using the boat's tiller/rudder.... messing with the outboard will compound the confusion. I don't even have a tiller arm on my OB.

kito · Jun 16, 2015

I am kind of confused on how a fixed motor is more maneuverable using a big blade (boat rudder) in tight spaces? A large blade needs plenty of water flow over it to control. Get the rudder out of the picture and just use the motor to maneuver in tight spaces. It will go left or right on a dime and back straight without much speed that your boat rudder needs.

Joe · Jun 16, 2015

If you're just having trouble at the ramp... then unship the rudder and drive the boat like a skiff. But if you're out and about and you run out of wind... just steer with the rudder. But trying to manage both under the guise that you need to make sharp turns means you haven't thought it out. Boats without outboards manage fine with fixed props.... you learn to use the "prop walk", you learn to back and fill, you learn that it doesn't take a lot of water flow for the rudder to work.

I can turn my 27 footer 360 degrees inside its own length with the outboard fixed and only using the throttle and rudder.... it's called backing and filling. Look it up and then try it yourself.... it's a great confidence builder.

I guarantee that learning and using these skills will take you to the next level. Someday you might want to charter a larger, inboard equipped boat....maybe even purchase one... so learn to use the throttle and the tiller... also learn how to maneuver in tight dock areas with spring lines.... it's all part of the process.

Benny17441 · Jun 16, 2015

Well the sailboat has a big rudder and it does a good job of steering the boat as long as there is water flowing around it. It is just simpler to keep the outboard locked and just steer with the rudder. There is hardly any prop walk with an outboard and you just have to get or keep the boat moving to gain or have steerage. Anticipate the effects of wind and current and learn to use spring lines to help. Practice and Practice. Sailboats and ramps are never very friendly. Get yourself a mooring or a wet slip at a Marina and enjoy boating to its fullest. The main advantage of a trailer boat is that you can move it hundreds of miles in a short period of time to enjoy different sailing venues. If you are seeing the same ramp over and over you are probably working too hard just setting up and not enjoying boating to its fullest. The work will get old soon and you will be using the boat less and less. Just think of being able to go for a short sail on a week day evening or just sitting in the cockpit enjoying your favorite drink and watching the sun go down.

BudGates · Jun 17, 2015

I use a rigid link like this guy does. Mine is stainless steel so it cost a bit more but it's worth it in salt water.

http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=2808.0

Joe · Jun 17, 2015

solodare said:
That's actually a nice set up. I like that.
Now If I could only get a throttle and gear shifter up in the cock pit..... or

http://www.tohatsu.com/accessories/ctl_boxes.html

http://www.wholesalemarine.com/side...-drives.html?gclid=CNaLw--mmMYCFdgGgQodj28Imw

There are a few parts other than the control box needed for conversion... mainly brackets for the throttle and gear shift cables.... plus their respective connectors... Not sure about a 6 hp .... but my 9.9 is remote.... greatest thing since sliced bread.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jun 18, 2015

Soladare;

Sailed Lake Norman long before it built up and know the winds. I now live in VA and use to as a dealer many years ago sell MacGregor as well. Be glad to share ideas with you if you want to talk with me next week as I am having surgery and will be out for the rest of the week. Send me an email. I use to own a sailboat dealership for over 3o years.

bawlmer · Jun 18, 2015

I had the same arrangement. You definitely want it free. The ability to steer using the outboard is invaluable while docking and moving in tight quarters.

BudGates · Jun 18, 2015

solodare said:
That's actually a nice set up. I like that.
Now If I could only get a throttle and gear shifter up in the cock pit..... or

I really like having the rudder and outboard linked together. I also use a remote throttle and shift controller that I bought off of ebay. I mounted it centered at the back of the cockpit just below the tiller where I can control it from either side of the cockpit. I do still have to be on the port side to pull the starter. Maybe some day I'll invest in an electric start motor.

woodster · Jun 18, 2015

Crazy Dave Condon said:
Soladare;

I am having surgery and will be out for the rest of the week. .

hope all goes well with that Dave ...good luck.....and get back on here soon