Hi sailors We have a 22 foot Catalina (and enjoying it!). We are also getting old (144 years between us) and we are worried about boat safety should I get overboard (as it happened lat year once). My mate cannot start a motor with pulley. At best she could do is hold the boat upwind until I climb back on. We thought that maybe a 80 lbs thrust, transom-mounted trolling motor might do the trick. We found a Minn Kota with a 42 inch shaft. Any Ideas? I would appreciate comments Hans
safety motor
- Thread starter Kemo
- Start date
- Status
I assume the Minn Kota
is electric and I would not recommend such a motor for a Cat 22. I also don't know your sailing waters, but my comment about electric motors is that they take a lot of battery power and would require a lot a charging. I think you would be much better off with a smallish (6-8 hp) 4-stroke gas outboard with an electric start capability. I assume you both wear an appropriate PFD (did you know that the term "Life Jacket" is now back in fashion?)whenever you are on the water. Finally, you may want to look into a number of assistive devices used to help a person who has gone overboard to get back aboard -- which can be a difficult task.
is electric and I would not recommend such a motor for a Cat 22. I also don't know your sailing waters, but my comment about electric motors is that they take a lot of battery power and would require a lot a charging. I think you would be much better off with a smallish (6-8 hp) 4-stroke gas outboard with an electric start capability. I assume you both wear an appropriate PFD (did you know that the term "Life Jacket" is now back in fashion?)whenever you are on the water. Finally, you may want to look into a number of assistive devices used to help a person who has gone overboard to get back aboard -- which can be a difficult task.
elec start
Have you considered an electric start outboard? I have one and it is much easier than the pull start. I don't know your Admiral's comfort level with machinery, but mine is not at all mechancially inclined, and she has been able to start our engine no problem. The new four strokes are even easier (no choke!). I don't know how much horsepower an 80 lb thrust trolling motor generates, but it doesn't sound like much. Was it your plan to use the trolling motor soley for emergencies and still retain your gas outboard for regular manuvering? Sounds like a crowded transom. I would be very careful about relying on a trolling motor even for emergencies only; it may be too weak to provide effective power in those situations. Let's say you go overboard. The sails will be up and drawing, and it seems to me doubtful that an engine that is designed to push a small boat at 1-2 knots can push a heavy sailboat against currents, tides, and the power of its sails. Doesn't seem to me that unless your wife can douse the sails on her own and you do your sailing in a lake without tides and currents that a trolling motor is a good option.
Have you considered an electric start outboard? I have one and it is much easier than the pull start. I don't know your Admiral's comfort level with machinery, but mine is not at all mechancially inclined, and she has been able to start our engine no problem. The new four strokes are even easier (no choke!). I don't know how much horsepower an 80 lb thrust trolling motor generates, but it doesn't sound like much. Was it your plan to use the trolling motor soley for emergencies and still retain your gas outboard for regular manuvering? Sounds like a crowded transom. I would be very careful about relying on a trolling motor even for emergencies only; it may be too weak to provide effective power in those situations. Let's say you go overboard. The sails will be up and drawing, and it seems to me doubtful that an engine that is designed to push a small boat at 1-2 knots can push a heavy sailboat against currents, tides, and the power of its sails. Doesn't seem to me that unless your wife can douse the sails on her own and you do your sailing in a lake without tides and currents that a trolling motor is a good option.
Kemo-
I would strongly recommend you have the admiral practice MOB drills. I was certain that had I gone over, my wife would have no idea how to save me! Getting the motor started was just one step. We threw fenders into the water with floating line attached. I coached her the first couple of times, then played a game where I'd be sailing while she was dolphin watching, and throw a fender in without notice... Man Overboard!. She can lower the sails, start the motor, put out the ladder and come alongside the fender better than I can. Yeah, the sails make a racket depending on wind, but she feels confident, and I feel safe. Keep your pull start outboard as a spare, and good luck! cup
I would strongly recommend you have the admiral practice MOB drills. I was certain that had I gone over, my wife would have no idea how to save me! Getting the motor started was just one step. We threw fenders into the water with floating line attached. I coached her the first couple of times, then played a game where I'd be sailing while she was dolphin watching, and throw a fender in without notice... Man Overboard!. She can lower the sails, start the motor, put out the ladder and come alongside the fender better than I can. Yeah, the sails make a racket depending on wind, but she feels confident, and I feel safe. Keep your pull start outboard as a spare, and good luck! cup
Sail power
Congratulations on continuing to sail into your golden years. I hope I'm as capable. I think that everyone that calls themselves a sailor should be able to maneuver a sailboat back to a MOB without the use of a motor. Kemo, if your wife can't do this, help her learn how. Admittedly, a motor is faster, assuming it works. But, it won't work if it can't get started for whatever the reason. I have an electric start motor and the electric start feature died just after I launched last week. Good thing my wife can sail the boat! Assuming your wife can get back to you, you said that she would not be able to bring you aboard. At the very least, she should know how to tie you alongside and use the radio to get help. Obviously, you will always be wearing your PFD. If your wife is not physically capable of the tasks required or, even if she is, I suggest that you consider yourself a singlehanded sailor whenever you're aboard. Consider installing a jackline and harness yourself (and her) to the boat at all times. The harness should be attached in a manner to prevent MOB.
Congratulations on continuing to sail into your golden years. I hope I'm as capable. I think that everyone that calls themselves a sailor should be able to maneuver a sailboat back to a MOB without the use of a motor. Kemo, if your wife can't do this, help her learn how. Admittedly, a motor is faster, assuming it works. But, it won't work if it can't get started for whatever the reason. I have an electric start motor and the electric start feature died just after I launched last week. Good thing my wife can sail the boat! Assuming your wife can get back to you, you said that she would not be able to bring you aboard. At the very least, she should know how to tie you alongside and use the radio to get help. Obviously, you will always be wearing your PFD. If your wife is not physically capable of the tasks required or, even if she is, I suggest that you consider yourself a singlehanded sailor whenever you're aboard. Consider installing a jackline and harness yourself (and her) to the boat at all times. The harness should be attached in a manner to prevent MOB.
Overboard drills
TinCup hit the nail squarely on the head with the man overboard drills. Do it until she feels confident in the process. And forget the electric trolling motor. Get yourself an electric start outboard. Make more use of a safety harness. As we get older, and physical abilities shrink, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the latest technology to assist us. I will be 70 in less than two months from now, and have no plans to quit sailing. I will make changes as required by my physical abilities, but hopefully will be able to continue sailing for many years to come. Keep on sailing, and enjoying. It will help keep you young.
TinCup hit the nail squarely on the head with the man overboard drills. Do it until she feels confident in the process. And forget the electric trolling motor. Get yourself an electric start outboard. Make more use of a safety harness. As we get older, and physical abilities shrink, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the latest technology to assist us. I will be 70 in less than two months from now, and have no plans to quit sailing. I will make changes as required by my physical abilities, but hopefully will be able to continue sailing for many years to come. Keep on sailing, and enjoying. It will help keep you young.
motor
I stongly suggest an 8 hp electric start engine for you of any make. If you have someone that can come and put the motor on your boat, that would be recommended. I would suggest using the trolling motor plugs for quick disconnect for the electrical wire in way of attachement to the back end of the boat. Normally, I do not advertise but if you need a Catalina dealer to help you, you are not far from Knoxville as I will be in the area in two weeks servicing a Catalina 350 and 309. I know the Catalina 22 very well. If you need any advice or help, just let me know. You can reach me at davecondon@mindspring.com I can help you with advice or whatever.
I stongly suggest an 8 hp electric start engine for you of any make. If you have someone that can come and put the motor on your boat, that would be recommended. I would suggest using the trolling motor plugs for quick disconnect for the electrical wire in way of attachement to the back end of the boat. Normally, I do not advertise but if you need a Catalina dealer to help you, you are not far from Knoxville as I will be in the area in two weeks servicing a Catalina 350 and 309. I know the Catalina 22 very well. If you need any advice or help, just let me know. You can reach me at davecondon@mindspring.com I can help you with advice or whatever.
Torqueedo?
I don't know anything about this motor firsthand, but this may be a good application for this motor. Just leave the mounts in place and your wife can pop the motor in if it's needed. The self-contained unit is supposed to be good for boats up to 3000lbs, so should move you to where you need to go in an emergency situation http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/home.html An electric start outboard does seem like it'd be a better solution, but she's going to have to be able to lower the prop into the water which isn't always an easy thing to do.
I don't know anything about this motor firsthand, but this may be a good application for this motor. Just leave the mounts in place and your wife can pop the motor in if it's needed. The self-contained unit is supposed to be good for boats up to 3000lbs, so should move you to where you need to go in an emergency situation http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/home.html An electric start outboard does seem like it'd be a better solution, but she's going to have to be able to lower the prop into the water which isn't always an easy thing to do.
I'm not getting into the comparison of Thrust
with horsepower but I can tell you that your 80 lbs of thrust electric engine will give you a performance comparable to a 1.5 HP gas engine. Neither will do well against wind and current. An electric start 8 HP gas engine would be your best bet.
with horsepower but I can tell you that your 80 lbs of thrust electric engine will give you a performance comparable to a 1.5 HP gas engine. Neither will do well against wind and current. An electric start 8 HP gas engine would be your best bet.
- Status