Outboard Question. Help!

Joe · Apr 5, 2012

Definitely not stupid. In fact, it will work just fine. So I'd go for it. Remote control is the only way to go on a sailboat.

I never use the motor to steer on my C27.... it would defeat the convenience of having remote control. When backing up, use a couple of short bursts to get the boat moving so you have steerage. You may be able use the "prop walk" in reverse to help maneuver. i.e. if you have a clockwise turning prop... when it's put in reverse, counter-clockwise, it will want to pull the stern to port. Take advantage of this if it suits your need, if it doesn't, go to the short burst strategy.

rpell1@msn.com · Apr 5, 2012

I had a 9.9 Yamaha on my 22' Chrysler. The ONLY time I turned the motor to steer was if I wanted to pivot on the keel in really tight quarters. The other 90% of the time I locked the motor in position and steered with rudder only. It's nice to have the ability to steer the motor, but almost never a requirement...............Unless, of course you decide to lose your rudder!!

Happy Sailing.

GeorgiaBII said:
I've got a chance to buy an electric start tiller-less Eveinrude 9.9 for a good price.

I'm tempted to buy it if I can lock it in a straight position and use just the boats rudder to control direction. Mounting a throttle and switch shouldn't be an issue so my only concern is how well directional control will be using only the rudder and not thrust.

Thoughts? Is this a workable idea or just stupid?

kenn · Apr 5, 2012

I have turned the outboard as well as the tiller when doing some tight manoeuvering, especially in reverse, but in the OP's case it would probably be simple to add a lever to turn the motor if desired.

So, I would say go for it and buy the motor.

HukilauMike · Apr 5, 2012

I frequently "steer" with the outboard on my Oday 23, especially going in or coming out of the docks. Having the ability to direct the prop allows me to back up straight even if the breeze is trying to blow the bow into my neighbor; its almost like having a bow thruster in all close quarters manuevering situations. Having said that, I never steer with the engine in normal motoring situations; I just use the rudder.

Sumner · Apr 5, 2012

Over 90% of the time ours is also straight ahead. I just tighten the tension down so that it will turn, but hard. If we are motoring we will turn it slightly one way or the other to a postition where the rudder is straight, neutral.

Docking and going on and off anchor I'll take a couple seconds and ....

...attach the connector between the outboard tiller and the rudder tiller shown above. There is much more control of the boat this way and Ruth doesn't have to try and reach the outboard and we don't end up with the prop in the rudder. Works great.

Three YouTube videos here....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UYc2ZHehS8&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COMAPYd5WTg&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sWbLBGc1Is&feature=channel

Sum

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c_witch · Apr 5, 2012

Watch the rudder

GeorgiaBII said:
I've got a chance to buy an electric start tiller-less Eveinrude 9.9 for a good price.

I'm tempted to buy it if I can lock it in a straight position and use just the boats rudder to control direction. Mounting a throttle and switch shouldn't be an issue so my only concern is how well directional control will be using only the rudder and not thrust.

Thoughts? Is this a workable idea or just stupid?

The PO of my boat seemed to do that as well but also was careless and did some gouging to the rudder. A linkage from the tiller to the OB is a great solution.

c_witch

FourPoints · Apr 5, 2012

I also have a tillerless OB with remote controls and elec start. My engine sits 3 1/2 feet behind and 1 1/2 feet below my when at the helm so even if I had a way to steer it, I couldn't reach it.

I find that compared to something like a catalina 25 with a skeg hung rudder and the engine tiller controlled and able to use thrust vectoring, I cannot turn anywhere near as sharp, but it's completly manageable. Even with a spade rudder that cannot turn past 45deg, I find it is much nicer with the engine locked in place and just using the tiller as the boat was meant to be steered, than to deal with controlling both the engine and tiller at the same time in what always ends up being an uncomfortable or akward angle you have to sit in to controll the both.

Manny · Apr 5, 2012

Yes you should be fine. I normally just leave mine straight except for backing into the slip (I'm in a very tight fairway, every little bit helps). If you can link it to the rudder even better but it is not necessary. One thing, motoring in heavy seas, if you get hit broadside with a decent size wave and the motor is not locked straight very securely, it can pivot and throw you off course.

M

cephius (Dave) · Apr 5, 2012

When I had a Catalina 22, the motor was placed well and I could do fine without ever moving it. However, it did come in handy to be able to point it for very sharp turns.

On my current boat, the motor is mounted far on the starboard side. It came fixed. Between that and the high free-board, this boat is impossible to maneuver at low speed. I had to add a link to the rudder so that the prop thrust could be pointed. (The H260 modification section of this site is full of motor/rudder link solutions for a reason!)

Give it a try fixed. If you have trouble maneuvering, add a rudder link or a motor tiller like Sumner shows.

Crazy Dave Condon · Apr 6, 2012

When you are backing in tight places, rudder control comes into play after you are going. I suggested a rudder to motor connector some purchased and others home built. Usually on a smaller boat, that will not work and a tiller is very helpful to turn the boat with in conjuction with the rudder. It depends on the situation.

In addition, you get a tighter turn when the motor is used in conjuction with the rudder as well.

However, should you loose rudder control due to loss/broken rudder tiller, broken steering cable with no emergency tiller, it is best to be able to turn the boat with motor that has a tiller handle vs. turning the whole motor by hand without a handle.

I suggest always having a tiller handle just in case of emergency and/or backup.

crazy dave

Joe11688 · Apr 7, 2012

I often steer with my outboard and rudder at the same time for a tight situation or being able to spin my boat on a dime. The rudder alone just won't cut it sometimes.

Merlin Clark · Apr 7, 2012

I didn't see if you have a remote for that motor. If not I'd get one: starting, shifting, throttle and choke will all be much easier mounted to the cockpit well.

finding41 · Apr 8, 2012

If you decide you want a handle take a look on Ebay. I think everyone and there mother is selling them. It seems like hundreds of them out there.

Merlin Clark · Apr 30, 2012

Check this out James http://powertiller.com/Demonstration.htm.
Pretty cool fix.

Stu Jackson · Apr 30, 2012

It should be just fine. Play "pretend I'm a big boat with an inboard engine!" Learn how to use prop walk instead of moving the engine. Prop walk, what's that, you say? Try a search and read forever...