what are the pros and cons of using an outboard or an inboard? I find if difficult to back up with my outboard (I think it is because the prop is in front of the rudder when in reverse) anyway, would an inboard provide better control? S2 26
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Like a lot of subjects, this one comes up often
A 26 foot boat seems to be the cutoff point for moving to an inboard. We could list all the advantages of each system here or advise you to check the archives. Ron, how about checking the archives.
I think you'll find that with your size boat, moving to an inboard isn't worth the hassle or expense. If you want the features that are available for an inboard powered sailboat, just move up to a bigger boat.
A 26 foot boat seems to be the cutoff point for moving to an inboard. We could list all the advantages of each system here or advise you to check the archives. Ron, how about checking the archives.
I think you'll find that with your size boat, moving to an inboard isn't worth the hassle or expense. If you want the features that are available for an inboard powered sailboat, just move up to a bigger boat.Stay Outboard
In your case since your boat is already setup with an outboard that is what I would stay with. I would imagine retrofitting a boat to handle an inboard would be a significant job and take up precious space below. I have an inboard now and am considering going with outboard. For going forward or reverse one of the advantages to the outboard is it can pivot and direct the thrust itself. It can be hard to reach the outboard for this but if you can you can do much tighter manuvers. The thing to think about would be setting up some type of remote control so you can start and stop, adjust throttle and pivot the motor from the cockpit. This would still be some work but far less than going inboard and give you exceptional control from the cockpit.
In your case since your boat is already setup with an outboard that is what I would stay with. I would imagine retrofitting a boat to handle an inboard would be a significant job and take up precious space below. I have an inboard now and am considering going with outboard. For going forward or reverse one of the advantages to the outboard is it can pivot and direct the thrust itself. It can be hard to reach the outboard for this but if you can you can do much tighter manuvers. The thing to think about would be setting up some type of remote control so you can start and stop, adjust throttle and pivot the motor from the cockpit. This would still be some work but far less than going inboard and give you exceptional control from the cockpit.
Fred's Right
If you want an inboard it makes sense to by a different boat. You would spend way more than the boat is worth to do a conversion and it may never be right
If you want an inboard it makes sense to by a different boat. You would spend way more than the boat is worth to do a conversion and it may never be right
be creative
The suggestions to use the outboards thrust are right on target... be creative in identifying the problem and develop a solution. I came up with a "soft link" stearing design several years ago and its been used by many in several configurations.
The suggestions to use the outboards thrust are right on target... be creative in identifying the problem and develop a solution. I came up with a "soft link" stearing design several years ago and its been used by many in several configurations.
extreme conditions advantage
A friend of mine broke his rudder in in a strong wind, losing control of his boat. He was able to lower his sails and take his boat back to the marina, steering with his outboard motor.
A friend of mine broke his rudder in in a strong wind, losing control of his boat. He was able to lower his sails and take his boat back to the marina, steering with his outboard motor.
Disadvantages
The down falls of an outboard is in rough seas and your phisical strength. If you get out in swells that makes the boat pitch. you'll find that the prop will come up out of the water and run away for a few seconds. The other thing is the weight of outboards are getting heaver now, being 4 stroke. They are trying to develope enviro 2 strokes but their cost is about the same as the 4 stoke. In 2006, some places will not allow 2 strokes any more and some places have already band them, Lakes mostly. Something to consider!
The down falls of an outboard is in rough seas and your phisical strength. If you get out in swells that makes the boat pitch. you'll find that the prop will come up out of the water and run away for a few seconds. The other thing is the weight of outboards are getting heaver now, being 4 stroke. They are trying to develope enviro 2 strokes but their cost is about the same as the 4 stoke. In 2006, some places will not allow 2 strokes any more and some places have already band them, Lakes mostly. Something to consider!
vote for outboard
Outboards are easier to get fixed or changed if needed. Also many inboards give off a oily smell.
Outboards are easier to get fixed or changed if needed. Also many inboards give off a oily smell.
Outboards give better control
Having used both a outboard that you can steer is easier. But the cost of converting is probably too high unless you want to go to a saildrive. Outboards don't do well in rough conditions but I prefer to sail if there is wind. I trust my sails more than I trust any motor. With my present Pearson 323 an outboard would be very impractical but over the summer I saw one on another P323. It looked like a poor arrangement IMHO. If I remember correctly he had rigged it to be steerable. But hanging off the back it looked like it would be swamped in heavy following seas. Another problem with inboards is crab/lobster pots. Going overboard to get the rope and float off the prop in the open sea is no fun!!(been there done that) If the rope wraps well you can't use the motor even if you cut the rope. This can't happen with an outboard that's up out of the water. A guy at the marina sailed his old pearson with an outboard across the gulf directly from key west to Panama city ,he seemed to consider it a non-event. My brother had a 8 hp Yanmar on his Pacific Seacraft 25 and he was happy. Said that it used less than a quart of diesel/hour at max speed. A guy at the marina has the same engine on a Watkins 25 and is very happy. 8hp doesn't sound like much but I chartered a Hunter 30 once that had a 12hp that got the job done. Tom
Having used both a outboard that you can steer is easier. But the cost of converting is probably too high unless you want to go to a saildrive. Outboards don't do well in rough conditions but I prefer to sail if there is wind. I trust my sails more than I trust any motor. With my present Pearson 323 an outboard would be very impractical but over the summer I saw one on another P323. It looked like a poor arrangement IMHO. If I remember correctly he had rigged it to be steerable. But hanging off the back it looked like it would be swamped in heavy following seas. Another problem with inboards is crab/lobster pots. Going overboard to get the rope and float off the prop in the open sea is no fun!!(been there done that) If the rope wraps well you can't use the motor even if you cut the rope. This can't happen with an outboard that's up out of the water. A guy at the marina sailed his old pearson with an outboard across the gulf directly from key west to Panama city ,he seemed to consider it a non-event. My brother had a 8 hp Yanmar on his Pacific Seacraft 25 and he was happy. Said that it used less than a quart of diesel/hour at max speed. A guy at the marina has the same engine on a Watkins 25 and is very happy. 8hp doesn't sound like much but I chartered a Hunter 30 once that had a 12hp that got the job done. Tom
Heavy Seas w/OB
The outboard prop coming out of the water isn't a function of the fact that it's an OB. It's the installation. Most OB installs are on a bracket that bolts to the transom. This does in fact put the OB at the far end of the boat, far from the center of gravity. When you start to pitch, the OB prop in that case is likely to come out. But boats like a Coronado 25, Columbia Challenger, The old Cal 27 (not the 2-27) and Catalina 27 have a mount that fastens the OB direct to the transom, not on a bracket. If you use a long or extra-long shaft OB, the prop's much less likely to breathe air. In my Cat27 I've been thru wave trains where the bow and stern are supported on adjacent waves, and a boat nearby could see my keel in between, but the prop kept on pushing. Only twice in 25 years in SF Bay and Norcal Coast in both Coronado 25 and Cat 27 has my prop bit air rather than water. When cruising with my inflatable aboard, I also carry a smaller OB for the dink that can act as an "auxiliary to the auxiliary" if necessary. (Same manufacturer, same fuel connections, just a smaller, lighter, less HP engine.)
The outboard prop coming out of the water isn't a function of the fact that it's an OB. It's the installation. Most OB installs are on a bracket that bolts to the transom. This does in fact put the OB at the far end of the boat, far from the center of gravity. When you start to pitch, the OB prop in that case is likely to come out. But boats like a Coronado 25, Columbia Challenger, The old Cal 27 (not the 2-27) and Catalina 27 have a mount that fastens the OB direct to the transom, not on a bracket. If you use a long or extra-long shaft OB, the prop's much less likely to breathe air. In my Cat27 I've been thru wave trains where the bow and stern are supported on adjacent waves, and a boat nearby could see my keel in between, but the prop kept on pushing. Only twice in 25 years in SF Bay and Norcal Coast in both Coronado 25 and Cat 27 has my prop bit air rather than water. When cruising with my inflatable aboard, I also carry a smaller OB for the dink that can act as an "auxiliary to the auxiliary" if necessary. (Same manufacturer, same fuel connections, just a smaller, lighter, less HP engine.)
Outboard is easier
Ron, I have both; an O'day 272 with a 9.9 outboard and a Catalina 30 with a 23 hp diesel and a 3 blade prop. The outboard is cubersome to reach as you must lean over the transom of the boat to get to it. However, you can move the rudder and the engine, thereby giving much better directional control at low speeds. The inboard has significant prop walk. When it is in reverse it is going to move to port. The only way to combat this is to get up some speed and put the transmission in NEUTRAL. As long as it is in reverse you experience the port prop walk. Backing into a slip requires some practice and experience. Factor in some wind and you have a challenge on your hands. Chip S/V No Ma'am
Ron, I have both; an O'day 272 with a 9.9 outboard and a Catalina 30 with a 23 hp diesel and a 3 blade prop. The outboard is cubersome to reach as you must lean over the transom of the boat to get to it. However, you can move the rudder and the engine, thereby giving much better directional control at low speeds. The inboard has significant prop walk. When it is in reverse it is going to move to port. The only way to combat this is to get up some speed and put the transmission in NEUTRAL. As long as it is in reverse you experience the port prop walk. Backing into a slip requires some practice and experience. Factor in some wind and you have a challenge on your hands. Chip S/V No Ma'am
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