outboard on a Vega?

[me262again]

I am contemplating (still!) the purchas of a '76 model Vega. It
comes with a Nissan 25 (!) outboard of fairly recent vintage. I own
an '84 model Johnson Sailmaster 8 that is in Like New condition. If
I buy this boat, I am thinking of taking the Nissan off as it is
much heavier than the johnson. There is no inboard engine in this
boat as it has been removed. Whaddaya think?????

 

[pelagicasd]

Keep the motor and buy some water skies. Or actually you could probably get
a couple of thousand for the motor to use towards a replacement. Outboards
are fine but if it's a two cycle not very fuel efficient (refering to your
sailmaster) and they don't like following seas. Walt, Lyric S/V 120

 

[rolyatad]

My 1970 Vega was powered with an outboard when I bought it. It had a
Honda 7.5 long shaft (20") on a centered transom bracket. That
engine would push about 5kt, and did rise free of the water in a bit
of vertical chop, once. I bashed my knee rushing aft to de-throttle
it.

I replaced the Honda with a 9.9 hp Yahama 4 stroke with an XL shaft
and high torque gear. This engine is tall, 25" shaft length, and has
never lifted out of or sunk beneath the water yet. This present
engine can do nearly 7 kt wide open, though I only did that for a
test and on flat water.

There is one real advantage with an outboard, in that you can steer
while backing down or otherwise manuvering. Other things to offset
the ugliness that offends some, is less weight and no prop drag under
sail. I figured that the weight further aft was similar to the
greater weight of the gas Albin closer to midship, in regard to
immersing the stern.
In AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com, "me262again" me262@a... wrote: