Outboards on 27 boats

[flyhop]

I am just curious and would like to hear from any other 27+ foot owners who power their sailboats with outboards rather than inboards.

 

[Brad]

Inland outboard

I purchased a 272 with a 9.9 Tohatsu in October. Problem is, I haven't gotten the chance to get the thing wet yet - and it's just killing me!! Maybe over the long Thanksgiving holiday. Just looking at the boat and motor, I would think it would be just big enough to push the 272 maybe 5 knots max in calm conditions. Adequate for the smaller inland lake I'm on with only moderate breezes and no currents. I can't help but think I'd want a beefier diesel for doing anything on the coast or offshore. The one thing that troubled me a little were the scrapes to the rudder from the previous owner. I'd hoped it wouldn't have that much overlap with the prop. I'll let you know what I think after I finally get to sail the new to me toy.

 

[Jim Douglas]

272 with OB

Over the summer I was saling off So. Cal. between L.A. and San Diego. My 272 has a Honda 10hp 4 stroke OB that was pushing her along at 6.7 knots (GPS indicated) in flat seas at full throttle. We ran her for 3 hours and used 3 gal. of fuel. The performance and mileage was better than I expected.

 

[Rich]

Another 272 o/b

I can get my 272 to hull speed (6.4-6.5 kts.)using a somewhat tired Yamaha 9.9 2 stroke, provided the hull isn't too dirty. Inland lake, no current. Having all that machinery hanging off the back isn't as sexy looking as the inboards, but a transom-hung rudder sorta kills the look anyway (I still like tiller boats, however). The BEST aspect of the o/b is the ability to service/replace it at a moment's notice, and at a fraction of the cost of an inboard application. Winterizing? No problem. Loud? Yeh, but a 4 stroke will help solve that problem next Spring. Brad's comment on the prop/rudder contact is a consideration on this boat because of the rudder location. But, one learns by doing and contact the first time will teach you to pay attention in the future.