I have a S2 7.3 with a functioning saildrive. I had some problems with "old gas" recently which resulted in an adventure that was resolved since we could sail slowly out of harms way. While crossing a shipping channel, a container ship 1/2 hour away gets pretty close when the wind dies down and the engine dies shortly shortly there after. I am considering a small outboard as an emergency backup, and need some advice on engine type and mount. It wouldn't get much use (hopefully). I'd prefer fuel injection but haven't seen that in small outboard engines. Does an electric outboard even merit looking at? Thanks, AIS
S2 7.3 with OMC needs a backup
- Thread starter ais1234
- Start date
- Status
Outboard
Look at the Honda 2HP 4 cycle, It's lite, air cooles, use gas only and has an amazing amount of push.Because it's so lite you can mount it on almost anything. Novelman
Look at the Honda 2HP 4 cycle, It's lite, air cooles, use gas only and has an amazing amount of push.Because it's so lite you can mount it on almost anything. Novelman
Electric motor
If you're crossing shipping lanes and open water, I wouldn't consider an electic motor unless it was just a back-up. There isn't enough power in a small electic to move very fast. With a fully charged battery you might get a couple hours of use at 1-2 kts speed. I've had both gas and electric and would only use electic for a small lake where currents and container ships aren't a factor.
If you're crossing shipping lanes and open water, I wouldn't consider an electic motor unless it was just a back-up. There isn't enough power in a small electic to move very fast. With a fully charged battery you might get a couple hours of use at 1-2 kts speed. I've had both gas and electric and would only use electic for a small lake where currents and container ships aren't a factor.
Think?
To answer your question about electric outboards merit looking at, no. Why not spend the price of a back-up motor on making the sail drive reliable?
To answer your question about electric outboards merit looking at, no. Why not spend the price of a back-up motor on making the sail drive reliable?
AIS, how about practicing some good
preventative maintainance? You already know what the problem is, just burn off the bad fuel in a non-critical waterway, refuel with fresh fuel, change the spark plug(s) clean the fuel filter. Why would you think that a neglected small outboard would serve you any better?
preventative maintainance? You already know what the problem is, just burn off the bad fuel in a non-critical waterway, refuel with fresh fuel, change the spark plug(s) clean the fuel filter. Why would you think that a neglected small outboard would serve you any better?
- Status