Motor Well

Posted By: Dana
Date: 8/23/07 6:01p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: motor well (John carey)

Hi, I was thinking about placing the engine on the transom. I never thought about it when I first started working on her but after every sail, if I'm not planning on seeing her again fairly soon, I pull the O/B out, run it out of gas and flush the water cooling system out. I built a little stand that slides over the traveler and mount the engine on it. I figure I might lose about 1/4 to 1/2 knot in speed but if the winds are up I still sail along between 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 (and sometimes 6) knots. It's not a light air boat, though. I get very little water in the cockpit, if any, except in really rough seas. Hasn't been a major problem yet, though. If I were to leave the O/B down and in the water, I go through zincs like crazy and the leg starts getting pitted from corrosion. Only hesitation I have on the transom mounting is she wasn't designed that way, the added weight further aft might affect her handling, and the transom isn't as thick as the rest of the hull or even the deck, for that matter. I could probably re-enforce that area but just don't feel up to it at the moment. Seems like everytime I get on board with a to do list, I make a cold drink, grab a sailing novel and chill out under the boomtent. Oh, well.... If I had your boat, I'd leave it where it was.....That's me, though... As far as San Carlos goes, I've not decided whether to get to the SOC via Ensenada and Cabo (Pacific Route)or just put her in at San Carlos. Raising the mast is a two person job and I need a steep ramp because of the full keel. I don't know if San Carlos has such facilities or help available. Thanks, Dana