After nicking my rudder a couple of times with the prop, I bought a set of Powerthrusters for the outboard to protect the rudder. While this was the main motivation, there were a couple of other reasons I decided to get these. First, I was hoping is that it would stop the outboard from turning to the side while motoring as a result of the engine vibration from the 1 cyl. 4-stroke (6hp) Tohatsu. When motoring on occasion, the engine turns and the engine revs because the prop is no longer creating forward thrust until I straighten it out. At first I thought this was because I hadn't tightened the screw at the back of the engine, but it would still happen even after tightening it. By reducing the prop wash to the side, I was hoping that this would stop happening. Finally, the manufacturer suggested that it would increase fuel efficiency. So I had three goals. The first one was obviously met since the prop can't contact the rudder now. In addition, after about 20 hours of motor sailing on a recent trip, the outboard never once got turned to the side. Finally, we got nearly 20 miles to the gallon motor sailing. The sails helped some, but the winds were not particularly strong. The Tohatsu is pretty efficient but I think these helped. I admit that this is an unscientific test. All in all, I think all of these goals were met and I'm happy with the addition.
Note that I did have to do some grinding on the plates to get them to fit the cavitation plate correctly. But overall, it was an easy installation.
Dave
O'Day 222
Note that I did have to do some grinding on the plates to get them to fit the cavitation plate correctly. But overall, it was an easy installation.
Dave
O'Day 222
