SouthCoast 23 Outboard Help

[cahubbs8]

Picked up my SC23 in January. Little elbow grease and we're in good shape - next step: an outboard.

The SC23 has a "internal well" that the outboard drops into. Does anyone have experience with this? When I push my tiller to starboard the rudder literally crosses over into the internal well space. If there was an outboard the rudder would surely bump it.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

-COLIN

 

[justsomeguy]

Make a new tiller?

D'oh, Brian's got it figgered out.

 

[dlewis812]

looks as though the motor sits in low enough to clear the tiller (assuming yours is set up this way?).

 

[Brian S]

I just did some research. According to Sailboatdata.com, the Kittiwake 23 is the same hull as the South Coast 23, but just a different cabin. And here is a pic of a Kittiwake 23, where it looks as if the motor is well behind the rudder.

Pretty boats, the South Coast and Kittiwake. You should post us pictures! "

 

[dlewis812]

(sorry didn't read orig post.. the rudder crosses over or the tiller?)

 

[BioAndy]

SouthCoast 23 Outboard

My last boat was a 1965 SC23. And yes, fitting an outboard in the well involved some trial and error. I ended up with a 2010 6-HP Nissan 4 stroke - long shaft outboard engine. When mounted in the well, I "cocked" it slightly on the clamping mount so the prop would have a little more clearance from the rudder. Not sure what year motor, but I also found an Evenrude 9.9hp, 2-stroke to fit.
Some people put a "stop" on the tiller while motoring to prevent the inadvertent prop/rudder collision. As you probably already know, the outboard well doesn't' allow clearance to retract or tilt the motor up.
Photo is of the mounted Evenrude.
Great little boat!
Andy

 

[cahubbs8]

Andy - when your not using the outboard and under sail, how much does the engine prevent the rudder from working properly?

 

[Blueknight]

South Coast 23 for many years

I had a 1966 South Coast 23 for 10 years. We sailed out of New London and had that boat into every gunkhole between Selden Creek on the Connecticut River to Lake Tashmoo on Martha's Vineyard. It was a great boat for many reasons. The 2' 11" draft allowed us to go places others could not. It carried a lot of sail on the masthead rig, so it was fast for a full keeled boat. It was a great sailing boat we had out in many heavy weather situations. You can overpower it, as I did lay the mast in the water twice. (Self bailing cockpit helped). I put it in the sand a couple of times, it's nice to just jump off and push it off. We put a lot of miles under that keel. When my daughter was born we still cruised it, and she slept in a laundry basket.

As for the offset outboard; I had an 8hp Mariner that just fit in the well. Not a perfect set up. You learn how far over you can go. It's not the end of the world if it hits every now and then, just don't hold it hard over. If I had to make a tight turn I knew I could only go one way. In heavy weather It would sometimes come out of the water and cavate a little. It is what is is. I loved that boat. It breaks my heart that it has been abandoned now in a New London Marina.

Picked up my SC23 in January. Little elbow grease and we're in good shape - next step: an outboard.

The SC23 has a "internal well" that the outboard drops into. Does anyone have experience with this? When I push my tiller to starboard the rudder literally crosses over into the internal well space. If there was an outboard the rudder would surely bump it.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

-COLIN

 

[cahubbs8]

Working on refinishing the teak......but took her out on the 4th - the Captain needs more work that she does!

 

[justsomeguy]

Please let us know how things turned out? Durned captains.

 

[BioAndy]

Andy - when your not using the outboard and under sail, how much does the engine prevent the rudder from working properly?

cahubbs8,
Outboard interference with the rudder was not an issue under sail. Can't say that I never hit the prop with the rudder under power while maneuvering in tight docking spot, but resulted in minimal marring damage to rudder and no damage to prop. I think your immediate challenge is finding a motor that has a powerhead that fits the well properly. The shaft interference will be similar with all motors and just a minor annoyance you'll learn to work around or deal with.
Andy

 

[Salty_Joe]

A British Seagull 40- fits nicely in the well (with a modified mount):
http://shieldssoft.com/sc23/jam089.jpg
Was even able to cover it with a hinged stool to allow more seating while sailing:
http://shieldssoft.com/sc23/newcam/100_0078.jpg
BUT... no reverse or neutral, and just 1.5 hp, so in a blow, keep your sails up (reefed). But when the wind lightens to where you are making less than 2 knots, she starts on one pull and gets you up to 4- 4.5 knots easily. Better than paddling.

 

[Benny17441]

It seems that a long shaft engine gets the prop too close to the rudder. With the engine being positioned well forward would a short shaft work adequately?