Ponderings!

[Nodak7]

Ok I was looking at this picture of a new Hunter 40 being lowered into the water. As you can see it has a sail drive on it. Note how far forward the sail drive is on this boat. Is this a good location for the drive or not?

Is it better to have the prop that far forward or should it be closer to the rudder? I can see the advantages but I also see disadvantages.

It seems that by having it that close to the center of the boat it would be difficult to maneuver the boat? On the other hand since it is sail-drive you can turn the drive rather than depend on the rudder.

Your thoughts please... BTW I have never maneuvered a boat with a sail-drive so please enlighten me.

 

[Doug/Karen]

A few years ago, we chartered an 42' sloop with saildrive. We were on the water a week and it took about that long to get comfortable with the differences in handling compared to a standare shaft drive. In the end, I found myself favoring the saildrive. I felt I had more control in reverse due to the more horizontal thrust and more maneuvering ease at crowded gas docks, approaching mooring balls, etc. We actually learned how to move the boat sideways with minimal forward or reverse movement. It is, however, without a doubt a whole new learning process.

 

[Bill Roosa]

kinda have to put it there unless you want to move the engine

 

[Nodak7]

kinda have to put it there unless you want to move the engine

Well Bill that puts the engine way forward of where it is on mine. To put it there the engine is about over the keel. I basically have the same hull and my engine is much further back.

 

[Don Lucas]

I believe the engine faces aft

 

[Andy1237]

What if it swiveled

If it swiveled like some tugs and ferries, the drives go 360 degrees. You can prop yourself sideways or spin 180 for reverse. But it would be a maintenance nightmare.