How big can the waves get before your prop over revs? What's your boat and is your motor short15-long20--xlong25inch? Any special mounts or equipment?
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outboards
I have a 1971, 22' Venture with a 1975, 6 hp Evenrude outboard with a 27" shaft. I sail out of Long Beach CA and offshore to the Islands. The size of the waves do not make much difference but the amount of heel does, so when the wind pipes up above 10 Kts I reduce headsail size to 75% and at 15-18 Kts I put the first reef in my main. The only time I had problems was when my rudder broke while offshore and I had to steer with my outboard. The outboard is attached on the port side in a cut-out so is VERY difficult to steer with. I installed the Idasail rudder and am very happy with it. I have much better control and the boat stays more upright at the same wind speed. novelman
I have a 1971, 22' Venture with a 1975, 6 hp Evenrude outboard with a 27" shaft. I sail out of Long Beach CA and offshore to the Islands. The size of the waves do not make much difference but the amount of heel does, so when the wind pipes up above 10 Kts I reduce headsail size to 75% and at 15-18 Kts I put the first reef in my main. The only time I had problems was when my rudder broke while offshore and I had to steer with my outboard. The outboard is attached on the port side in a cut-out so is VERY difficult to steer with. I installed the Idasail rudder and am very happy with it. I have much better control and the boat stays more upright at the same wind speed. novelman
outboards
I have a Freedom 25 with a Mariner 8, 20" shaft mounted on a bracket on the port side of the transom. It's not so much the height of waves that makes the prop come out of the water as their steepness and how close they are together. And it's more of an issue when heading into them than going in the same direction as the waves. There have been a few times when the wind's up around 25 kn. and the seas are short and steep - 2-3' that the prop's been out of the water as much as in it and I've had to turn back downwind and wait for things to settle down. Why didn't I sail? My boat has a cat rig and in those conditions, we would have made little progress beating upwind.
I have a Freedom 25 with a Mariner 8, 20" shaft mounted on a bracket on the port side of the transom. It's not so much the height of waves that makes the prop come out of the water as their steepness and how close they are together. And it's more of an issue when heading into them than going in the same direction as the waves. There have been a few times when the wind's up around 25 kn. and the seas are short and steep - 2-3' that the prop's been out of the water as much as in it and I've had to turn back downwind and wait for things to settle down. Why didn't I sail? My boat has a cat rig and in those conditions, we would have made little progress beating upwind.
Size isn't as important
I have an 1980 Hunter 27' with an 8hp Honda long shaft four stroke on a garelick mount. The wave height isn't so crucial, but the distance between waves is the problem. Had a bad scare last year trying to get back to my dock last year in 45 mph winds. I had to go straight into 3 foot waves with a high frequency for about 45 minutes, the nose would bury itself under a wave, the outboard would be screaming, i would lose steerage and get pushed sideways until the outboard got some "grip", then the process would start all over. Going with the wind was as comfortable as could be... My thanks to who ever invented beer. I sure had my share once the docklines were secured!!!!!
I have an 1980 Hunter 27' with an 8hp Honda long shaft four stroke on a garelick mount. The wave height isn't so crucial, but the distance between waves is the problem. Had a bad scare last year trying to get back to my dock last year in 45 mph winds. I had to go straight into 3 foot waves with a high frequency for about 45 minutes, the nose would bury itself under a wave, the outboard would be screaming, i would lose steerage and get pushed sideways until the outboard got some "grip", then the process would start all over. Going with the wind was as comfortable as could be... My thanks to who ever invented beer. I sure had my share once the docklines were secured!!!!!
Ootboard
Thanks for telling about your experiences with outboards. They should help me decide whether upgrading from a long to an extra long is worth it.20 to 25 doesn’t seem like much; but then again.
Thanks for telling about your experiences with outboards. They should help me decide whether upgrading from a long to an extra long is worth it.20 to 25 doesn’t seem like much; but then again.
Manny, I'd be interested to know if you have any
other thoughts on using an outboard on a Hunter 27. I am considering removing the current non-working diesel (waiting on the autopsy) on my 1977 H27 and replacing it with an outboard. I was thinking of going to a 15 horse 4-stroke with electric start and remote controls. I'm guessing that since my 8HP diesel was almost underpowered, the jump in horsepower would help against the current. Any other thoughts, concerns or suggestions? Thanks
other thoughts on using an outboard on a Hunter 27. I am considering removing the current non-working diesel (waiting on the autopsy) on my 1977 H27 and replacing it with an outboard. I was thinking of going to a 15 horse 4-stroke with electric start and remote controls. I'm guessing that since my 8HP diesel was almost underpowered, the jump in horsepower would help against the current. Any other thoughts, concerns or suggestions? Thanks
Never mind, just got the autopsy
and it is not as bad as I expected. It is just a blown head gasket. I should be back an running better than ever for less than $1800. Now I can get a new main sail!
and it is not as bad as I expected. It is just a blown head gasket. I should be back an running better than ever for less than $1800. Now I can get a new main sail!
Grateful, Good to know that your troubles
are so easily cured. My slip neighbor lost his saildrive engine this spring, sat out the season on the hard, converted to an outboard. BUT that made his boat LONGER and now he has to dock in a bigger slip at an increased cost. When they come to measure your boat hide the anchor.
are so easily cured. My slip neighbor lost his saildrive engine this spring, sat out the season on the hard, converted to an outboard. BUT that made his boat LONGER and now he has to dock in a bigger slip at an increased cost. When they come to measure your boat hide the anchor.
Grateful Dad
Do you have the Renault? I had a blown head gasket on mine, the head was warped and it cost me $26 to have it milled (including reseating the valves. Removing it was simple enough. A good machine shop can even make the gasket for you. My 8 hp Honda seems to be enough power for the boat. On the Delaware River I can make almost 8 miles an hour with the current and about 5 1/2 going straight into the current at it's peak. That's with a fully loaded water tank and 4 people on board. Everyone who has gone out on the boat with me has commented that it seems to be well powered. The outboard sure makes docking easier in my marina (it's real tight). My inboard has terrible prop walk in reverse!!!!!! Remote control would be a huge plus, so would an extra long shaft if possible. I would guess that 15 hp may be overkill but it may come with a better alternator. 10 or 12 hp is probably perfect. Don't skimp on the mount, get a mount with tons of travel, I went cheap and got a mount with only 9" of travel and regret it. Also I put a starboard backing plate with 5200 inside the transom to reinforce. The only real problem I ever had was the day of the 45 mph winds. I've since lowered the mount about two more inches and not made the mistake of going out in those conditions. I hit a pretty massive tugboat wake this year which at one point buried the nose of the boat soaking me in the process and the outboard only was out momentarily. Manny
Do you have the Renault? I had a blown head gasket on mine, the head was warped and it cost me $26 to have it milled (including reseating the valves. Removing it was simple enough. A good machine shop can even make the gasket for you. My 8 hp Honda seems to be enough power for the boat. On the Delaware River I can make almost 8 miles an hour with the current and about 5 1/2 going straight into the current at it's peak. That's with a fully loaded water tank and 4 people on board. Everyone who has gone out on the boat with me has commented that it seems to be well powered. The outboard sure makes docking easier in my marina (it's real tight). My inboard has terrible prop walk in reverse!!!!!! Remote control would be a huge plus, so would an extra long shaft if possible. I would guess that 15 hp may be overkill but it may come with a better alternator. 10 or 12 hp is probably perfect. Don't skimp on the mount, get a mount with tons of travel, I went cheap and got a mount with only 9" of travel and regret it. Also I put a starboard backing plate with 5200 inside the transom to reinforce. The only real problem I ever had was the day of the 45 mph winds. I've since lowered the mount about two more inches and not made the mistake of going out in those conditions. I hit a pretty massive tugboat wake this year which at one point buried the nose of the boat soaking me in the process and the outboard only was out momentarily. Manny
I'm just out of time and space
to do it myself so I am having a diesel mechanic I know and trust do it. I was expecting to pay $3K for a new outboard and bracket so I'm looking at enough "found money" (as in I already argued with the Admiral over it) to get the new mainsail I desperately need. BTW, I have the Yanmar. Ross, I know what you mean about the marina fees. Mine got a new owner this year and about 20% of the boats will not be back next year. Twice last year I got bills with charges they couldn't even explain. When I questioned them on the fees I got the old "these are standard fees we add to each work order". They made no sense based upon the work the yard did. This winter they came out with a new rule that owners cannot put tarps on their boats. You either pay the yard to shrink wrap it ($600 in my case) or leave it uncovered. I choose option three which was not on their list - I moved to a different winter storage yard and joined a club and will be on a mooring next summer. My total annual cost including club membership and fees will be one third of the marina.
to do it myself so I am having a diesel mechanic I know and trust do it. I was expecting to pay $3K for a new outboard and bracket so I'm looking at enough "found money" (as in I already argued with the Admiral over it) to get the new mainsail I desperately need. BTW, I have the Yanmar. Ross, I know what you mean about the marina fees. Mine got a new owner this year and about 20% of the boats will not be back next year. Twice last year I got bills with charges they couldn't even explain. When I questioned them on the fees I got the old "these are standard fees we add to each work order". They made no sense based upon the work the yard did. This winter they came out with a new rule that owners cannot put tarps on their boats. You either pay the yard to shrink wrap it ($600 in my case) or leave it uncovered. I choose option three which was not on their list - I moved to a different winter storage yard and joined a club and will be on a mooring next summer. My total annual cost including club membership and fees will be one third of the marina.
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