Getting my list of things to do pre-splash, and one item on my list keeps staring back at me. Any comments pro/con on mounting an adjustable motor mount on the transom, intent is to use an outboard motor as an alternative propulsion source?
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Marcus, I've seen skippers do it on smaller ...
sailboats, but on an H34? If you have a Yanmar main propulsion engine, they're pretty reliable. If it were my boat I would not add a mount on the transom and I would not buy a boat that had one. Terry
sailboats, but on an H34? If you have a Yanmar main propulsion engine, they're pretty reliable. If it were my boat I would not add a mount on the transom and I would not buy a boat that had one. Terry
As Terry said, don't do it.
Something is being left un-said here. Why would such a strange item be on your list?
Something is being left un-said here. Why would such a strange item be on your list?
Risk assessment
An interesting question. My first thought was 'why', followed by 'why not'. Many would question the esthetics, but on the other hand its as practical a place as any to keep your dingy motor, assuming you don't have davits. Although your main engine is reliable, it can fail. What is your risk when it does? Are your crew and vessel potentially in peril from currents, shipping traffic, reefs, etc. ? Is your outboard big enough to make a difference ?
An interesting question. My first thought was 'why', followed by 'why not'. Many would question the esthetics, but on the other hand its as practical a place as any to keep your dingy motor, assuming you don't have davits. Although your main engine is reliable, it can fail. What is your risk when it does? Are your crew and vessel potentially in peril from currents, shipping traffic, reefs, etc. ? Is your outboard big enough to make a difference ?
Victor
Here are some 'why nots'. First, it is a big job. A mount has to be secured with backing plates. The H34 transom is not designed to carry force. Much consideration needs to be given to the location of a mount because of restricted access internally. Then feasibility of such a installation comes into question when actually placing a motor into service. The motor would have to be moved from its' 'useful' and accessible rail mount, down to the motoring mount. It's a reach. Then come jobs like installing the fuel line and properly securing GASOLINE on a boat not designed for it. Let's see, oh yea. Once the engine is secured, you have to start it and use it. On a H34 that means some kind of rope extension or additional cables for a starter system. And then the killer. How are you going to secure it to steer? Not to mention shifting it or changing speed. Remember, the H34 is tall. And stuff like pulpits are in the way. But forget all of the above problems. The biggest reason for not even considering it is aesthetics. It would look like hell for the life of your boat. And the owner that commissioned such an abomination would be held in low esteem by all knowledgeable observers. How's that? I could come up with more reasons, like, Terry and I would never buy it.
Here are some 'why nots'. First, it is a big job. A mount has to be secured with backing plates. The H34 transom is not designed to carry force. Much consideration needs to be given to the location of a mount because of restricted access internally. Then feasibility of such a installation comes into question when actually placing a motor into service. The motor would have to be moved from its' 'useful' and accessible rail mount, down to the motoring mount. It's a reach. Then come jobs like installing the fuel line and properly securing GASOLINE on a boat not designed for it. Let's see, oh yea. Once the engine is secured, you have to start it and use it. On a H34 that means some kind of rope extension or additional cables for a starter system. And then the killer. How are you going to secure it to steer? Not to mention shifting it or changing speed. Remember, the H34 is tall. And stuff like pulpits are in the way. But forget all of the above problems. The biggest reason for not even considering it is aesthetics. It would look like hell for the life of your boat. And the owner that commissioned such an abomination would be held in low esteem by all knowledgeable observers. How's that? I could come up with more reasons, like, Terry and I would never buy it.
better mousetrap
I thought about the same idea on my old s2 9.2c and decided to add davits for my compact rib and 9.9 4 stroke. One day i had an air leake in the line and was without power in a tight channel. Any how the Macgiver in me had an idea to tow the boat . Bad idea the dink does not draw enough water to pull the displacement hull in anything other than a crazy zig zag pattern. But wait what about the skipjack that i had just seen the week before so i quickly went to the stern of the boat and placed the bow of the dink on to the stern and ran my block and tackle to each side of the transom on the dink I had my wife steer and i ran the dink we pushed the boat almost as fast as the main engine. We even docked without any help. People on the dook were even claping. Plus we saved around 250 in a tow bill . needless to say every boat i have (420)passage has davits.
I thought about the same idea on my old s2 9.2c and decided to add davits for my compact rib and 9.9 4 stroke. One day i had an air leake in the line and was without power in a tight channel. Any how the Macgiver in me had an idea to tow the boat . Bad idea the dink does not draw enough water to pull the displacement hull in anything other than a crazy zig zag pattern. But wait what about the skipjack that i had just seen the week before so i quickly went to the stern of the boat and placed the bow of the dink on to the stern and ran my block and tackle to each side of the transom on the dink I had my wife steer and i ran the dink we pushed the boat almost as fast as the main engine. We even docked without any help. People on the dook were even claping. Plus we saved around 250 in a tow bill . needless to say every boat i have (420)passage has davits.
Jason, I learned that lesson trying to get to the
Panama Canal after bad fuel did-in the main engine. Towing a big displacement sailboat with a dingy is a last resort. We tied to the gunnel and one person steered each vessel, but waves of 4' soon ended that attempt. Luckily a breeze picked up until we could get close. Then we went back to the dingy. (25hp Yamaha) Our new dingy wouldn't work with your skip-jack method. It's a RIB with a stainless tow eye loop on the center of the bow. That, along with our reversed transom would wreak havoc on the transom as the dingy tried to come aboard for a landing.
Panama Canal after bad fuel did-in the main engine. Towing a big displacement sailboat with a dingy is a last resort. We tied to the gunnel and one person steered each vessel, but waves of 4' soon ended that attempt. Luckily a breeze picked up until we could get close. Then we went back to the dingy. (25hp Yamaha) Our new dingy wouldn't work with your skip-jack method. It's a RIB with a stainless tow eye loop on the center of the bow. That, along with our reversed transom would wreak havoc on the transom as the dingy tried to come aboard for a landing.
Dingy is a better solution
I agree that fastening the dingy to the big boat for propulsion is a better solution. The assumption is that it is inflated and readily launched. Simply tying the dingy's bow and stern lines firmly to the toe rail or stanchons midship is a quick towing solution if beam is not a problem. Fenders are a good idea. Some very good points on why not to use the transom mount. I was not familiar with the H34's transom design.
I agree that fastening the dingy to the big boat for propulsion is a better solution. The assumption is that it is inflated and readily launched. Simply tying the dingy's bow and stern lines firmly to the toe rail or stanchons midship is a quick towing solution if beam is not a problem. Fenders are a good idea. Some very good points on why not to use the transom mount. I was not familiar with the H34's transom design.
Fred, you did a much better job of reasoning...
the down side of the transom motor mount issue than I did. Nice job. Hopefully, Marcus will take your advice. There was an article in Sail magazine several issues ago about the recommended way to tow a displacement boat with a dink. The right way mentioned in one of these posts was right on. Securing the dink midships with bow and stern lines gives you better control of the boats movements as opposed to pulling or pushing the boat. Terry
the down side of the transom motor mount issue than I did. Nice job. Hopefully, Marcus will take your advice. There was an article in Sail magazine several issues ago about the recommended way to tow a displacement boat with a dink. The right way mentioned in one of these posts was right on. Securing the dink midships with bow and stern lines gives you better control of the boats movements as opposed to pulling or pushing the boat. Terry
Under adverse conditions
an outboard would not function properly. Think about the last time you powered through any kind of slop and the boat hobby-horsed. That prop will be out of the water, cavitating & reving more than you think. There isn't a shaft long enough. Talk to or go for a ride on any 22-25 foot sail boat with an outboard & see what it is like. Not to mention a 34 has more distance to the center point thus more up and down motion. At one point its out of the water & the next instant its submerged. If the air is heavy, sail it with reduced canvass, if light hoist a cruising spin or if all else fails drop anchor & wait til the conditions are proper to sail or tow. I'v had a fuel line wear to the point of leaking air & had to sail with a Cruising chute & main up a river into the assigned slip at a visiting harbor. It was great to realize all the practice of sailing into a slip with the motor in idle paid off. BOL Paul
an outboard would not function properly. Think about the last time you powered through any kind of slop and the boat hobby-horsed. That prop will be out of the water, cavitating & reving more than you think. There isn't a shaft long enough. Talk to or go for a ride on any 22-25 foot sail boat with an outboard & see what it is like. Not to mention a 34 has more distance to the center point thus more up and down motion. At one point its out of the water & the next instant its submerged. If the air is heavy, sail it with reduced canvass, if light hoist a cruising spin or if all else fails drop anchor & wait til the conditions are proper to sail or tow. I'v had a fuel line wear to the point of leaking air & had to sail with a Cruising chute & main up a river into the assigned slip at a visiting harbor. It was great to realize all the practice of sailing into a slip with the motor in idle paid off. BOL Paul
Right on Paul
And good for you sailing into your berth. I've let that skill slip away over the years. It has something to do with the cost of mistakes too.
And good for you sailing into your berth. I've let that skill slip away over the years. It has something to do with the cost of mistakes too.
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