Where do you sail, and how do you use your aux power? My experience with outboard aux power on sailboat's = great for lighter displacement boats getting in and out of sheltered moorage. Here in the PNW outboards are used often on Olsen 30's and other lightweight boats in the 27' range. I rarely see them out rough weather unless it is a race. When headed in after a windy race the sound of an outboard engine's RPM going up then back down as they attempt to motor into the marina is common.
One of the major issues if you use the outboard in any kind of interesting wind or sea conditions is the propeller will cavitate or completely be lifted out of the water as the boat pitches. A very log shaft outboard may mitigate the cavitation issue most of the time, but if the foo hits the fan you may not be able to rely on the aux power to drive forward in larger seas. On the plus side, if you add the outboard and retain the ability to steer it independently it can be used as a stern thruster. Back in the 80's I spent a lot of time crewing on and delivering a J-24. With small outboard used as a stern thruster I could single-hand the boat through the Ballard Locks and parallel park in crowded guest moorage. Martin Calypso 1971 C&C 43 Seattle -----Original Message----- From: CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com] On Behalf Of Paul and Darlene Clarke via CnC-List Sent: Monday, August 04, 2014 10:29 AM To: cnc-list@cnc-list.com Subject: Stus-List Thoughts on repowering with outboard My wife and I are beginning to think it may be time to convert our C & C 27, which we've had for 5 years, to a transom-mounted outboard engine from its original (1972) Atomic 4. Any listers have experience with a project like this, advice, or suggestions? The boat is sound, of course, as is the rig and sails, but the A4 engine is requiring infusions of $$ every year, and is not reliable. Every year we've been scuppered, and I want reliability without the cost of a new inboard... hence the idea to try the outboard route. Thoughts? _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com _______________________________________________ This List is provided by the C&C Photo Album Email address: CnC-List@cnc-list.com To change your list preferences, including unsubscribing -- go bottom of page at: http://cnc-list.com/mailman/listinfo/cnc-list_cnc-list.com
