Problem in reverse

[Bill P.]

I've had my Hunter 260 with a 9.8 Evinrude for about a year - sorry, I don't have the manuals so I may be off a bit. Anyway, most of my time sailing as been in a Catalina 270 with a disel engine - plenty of power there and once I got used to working the prop-walk, I did ok.With the 260 and the outboard - and it is not an long shaft version, I don't seem to have the power to use reverse to much affect. I even added the prop-shroud sold here to help and I have the connector from the engine to the rudder - the prop really seems to cavitate to a very high degree. Unfortunately, my dock/slip end up in a crosswind situation a vast majority of the time and this is worrisome. I was wondering if a prop change might help - any suggestions appreciated!!!Fair winds and sorry about the spelling!BillP.

 

[Landsend]

Suggestions....

Generally speaking a short shaft engine won't work too well on a sailboat...your motor may be mounted to high on the transom...is it fine in forward gear?...Does the motor have a three blade prop, it should. Because outboards exhaust through the propeller in reverse they bite gas and water and are thus less effective in reverse. Is the pitch on the motor correct?Hope I've helped some...

 

[Doug]

Extend Shart

You should be able to purchase a shaft extension most outboard motors. If you can't look to trade it in on the longest shaft 4 stroke you can find. Another problem I have seen is crew going forward when you try to dock. When I had a outboard sail boat (23"shaft) I insisted all crew stay aft of the mast. A 200 lbs. person on the bow would pull a extra long shaft motor too high in reverse. On your boat you need to get the crew sitting on the stern rail.

 

[Bill P.]

Best prop for an outboard??

What prop/pitch do youu all recommend for this engine/sailboat combo??Thanks for the help - Bill

 

[Vern]

Rudder-motor connection?

Bill P.You didn't mention whether or not you had a rudder-motor connection. I had immense crosswind trouble getting my 260 back in the slip before I installed the connector. After installation, no more problems. These 260s should never have been commissioned without the connector.