Outboard Motors......

[Sombrero]

Hi Karl and anyone else who has a well and is interested in the lifting and lowering device set up in Sombrero. The pics show the outboard in the up and down position. The actual pipe work is pop riveted to the pushpit at the side and rear of the pushpit itself. You will note that the bottom plates on the vertical poles are bolted in the cockpit floor to put the outboard in a position where it would normally be if the normal mounting bracket was bolted directly to the back of the cockpit . Height of the framework is determined by having the motor, when hoisted, clear of the bottom of the hull. My photos should show how the whole thing works and goes together. If you are interested and have more questions, or need more close up photos, I would be only to happy to respond to your request. It may look complicated, but it isn't and the reward is worth the effort.
Regards, John.S "Sombrero"

outboard up

IMG_0595.JPG (42.39 KiB) Viewed 8402 times

outboard down

IMG_0597.JPG (42.23 KiB) Viewed 8402 times

(This is the post mentioned below, merged here from "Members Only" section, admin )

[Sombrero]

Hi Karl,
I don't know what went wrong, but I posted the photos of Sombrero's outboard lifting and lowering system in the Members Only section! OOPS! I could have claimed that I was hiding from possible patent infringements, but I am sure you will find them.
Regards, John. S "Sombrero"

[karl010203]

Hi John

It magically found it's way back into the right section - yay!

A lot of thought has gone into that... and it certainly seems tidy and I would imagine easy to lift and drop... nice bit of engineering!

Thanks for sharing

Karl

[Tales]

Here is another version of the retractable outboard motor in the well.
It is the MKII " Bonnie Lass" and looks a very practical arrangement with the lifting tackle and seat each side.
There is also other equipment including a solar panel on top of the structure but not in the picture.
Below the leg is a nice wooden cover which is held in place by the motor and stops those splashy waves coming up onto the lee cockpit seat in rougher weather.
Cheers,
Tom

[Maggsy]

Hi Tales,

Can you post a photo of the top of this arrangement. I have been thinking about mounting my solar panel on an extension of the pushpit (which will also incorporate a bit of shade). At the moment my solar panel is on a flimsy flat steel arrangement at the back of the boat.

I like the arrangement of the motor between the two seats. I have a bench seat across the back and have to man-handle my 6hp merc in and out of the cabin every time I head out. I definitely have bigger arms than before i bought Sea Monkey!

Regards ...Ian

[karl010203]

Both very smart arrangements... I love both of them and the seat arrangements with the last one- tales I too would like to see more photos...

Although in saying this I am still Jealous after seeing Peter H's Marinka yesterday and it's beautiful inboard...

[Tales]

This is the only picture I have of the upper part of the aft pulpit structure fitted to Bonnie Lass.
The GPS antenna and bird ticklers are visible but the solar panel is laying flat.
Cheers,
Tom

[storm petrel]

Hi All,

I have been reading the outboard discussion with interest but I still think I will stay with my old Yanmar inboard.

I had it serviced today and at $200 it seemed pretty reasonable for another year's motoring. Outboards might be cheaper but it is nice not to have to pull the motor up after each sail, have the extra cockpit space and to know you have the torque of a diesel available at the turn of a key. It is also nice to know you have enough fuel in the tank to run the engine for 30+ hours before you need to refuel. My fixed two blade prop makes my boat a little slower in light conditions but that 250kg down below allows her to point a little higher when the wind is up and makes her a little more stable at sea, so it is swings and roundabouts.

I wonder what fraction of Tophats on the site use inboards?

Cheers,
Mark

[robf]

Hi all

I too have been following this thread with interest. Having owned an Adams 21 with an outboard and now Isabella II (a MkII) with its Drofin inboard, I can see the advantages/disadvantages of both arrangements.

The inboard is noisier for those in the cabin sheltering from bad weather, and without a furling prop, produces more drag under sail. However, it is very reliable, has a large capacity alternator, the prop stays in the water no matter how rough it is, and it is less noisy for those in the cockpit. Getting the outboard ashore for servicing versus taking the boat around to the diesel mechanic every few years adds to the debate, as does the room under the companionway taken up by the Drofin against the room taken up in the cockpit by an outboard. I was happy to get a TopHat with a diesel inboard - but would not be upset if it had come with an outboard. The lifting arrangements shown here are great solutions for the design constraints of our boats - the Adams allowed me to simply tilt the motor as it was fixed to the transom. If there was an outboard with a super-long shaft, the well could be glassed over (as has Isabella's at some time in the past) and the motor bolted onto the transom, but I doubt such a long shaft exists.


Rob
Isabella II
Pittwater

[Marinka]

Thanks Karl for the kind comments on Marinka. I have had boats with both inboard and outboard motors. if I had the choice I would go with an inboard diesel everytime. The proof is in the pudding and my sail from Laurieton (where I was gracefully received and looked after by Shaun and Phil) to Mooloolaba where after sailing with a double reefed main for a day and then the winds died off and thereafter motorsailed the rest of the way (arrived Gold Coast Seaway 2 1/2 days after leaving and then a further 25 hours to Mooloolaba - much easier to listen to the diesel and it used less than 1 litre per hour. if I had more time then would have sailed more and hence used the motor less. Possabilities did the world with the outboard. outboards do give more storage space. I was a farmer to start with so like the sound of a diesel. Both have good points so really it is an individual decision and if you have the luxury of sailing without time constraints then an outboard will do perfectly well. For me, I don't have that luxury at the moment and I do like diesel motors. Cheers Peter