Hi all
Reading the comments on Simons “outboards” our Yamaha 50 failed to start recently which was a problem and yes we have sails but it set me wondering if in some circumstances it might we worth having some sort of auxiliary power
Motor Boats often have a smaller outboard for backup, but I think finding a location on a 26M for an auxiliary outboard would be difficult a friend suggested towing with a Dingy which might be ok on the Canals but at sea? Any thoughts
regards to Ian T
Atthis
Hi Ian,
I have a 26X. It has a lifting outboard bracket on the stern (starboard side, outside of the starboard rudder). Having suffered problems with the Yamaha 50 main engine I have bought a Yamaha 5HP outboard. I am hoping this will serve two purposes...
1. As an outboard for my inflatable tender. It is a little big in HP for that job, and it's a long shaft when it should be a short shaft really but it does work OK. I have tested it and it is good.
2. As an auxiliary. Drop the lifting bracket and the prop will be in the water OK. Lock the steering and, once underway, lock the throttle. Steer the boat using the main engine as a rudder, or lift the main engine and use the two drop down rudders. I have not tested this yet. Windermere next week will see the trial of that idea. I would not leave it on the lifting bracket when sailing, or motoring fast with the main engine for fear of getting it wet (or it falling off).
I'll let you know how that goes next week!
David
David Kirk
26X Glissando
Dumfriesshire, Scotland
I can't see the main engine being an effective rudder, just a chunk of drag for the aux to struggle to push through the water.
If the drop bracket is lifted I'd expect the aux to be safely out of harms way. I certainly wouldn't want to have to mount it on the bracket in an emergency if the main has failed.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner
Hi David & Dave
Thanks for your responses this is exactly what I was hoping for. I measured the stern Port side and it might just be possible to fit an outboard in a vertical gap between the water valve and the drop Rudder on a bracket, the starboard side has the boarding ladder.
I have yet to examine how the Brackets operate withdrawing the motor from the water, if the pull start is accessible and controls lockable with a kill cord from the outboard whilst stood at the Mac’s helm
I hope David’s trial next week is successful and if possible see some pictures please. I agree with Dave that raising the main engine and steering with the Mac rudders would be best.
regards
Ian T
Atthis 26M
Most auxiliary outboard brackets are a parallelogram motion with adjustable spring loading to take the bulk of the weight of the outboard so that they can be raised and lowered easily. Some have unequal lengths to the motion so that the engine is also tilted as it's raised (probably not helpful for a Mac). For little pull start outboards sometimes it's easier to start the engine with the bracket up and then lower it to the water. The brief period without cooling won't have time to overheat an engine, especially from cold.
With the auxiliary locked you won't have the manoeuvrability that the vectored thrust would normally afford but unless you rig a steering system you aren't going to be able to reach a tiller steered outboard very readily. Rigging a remote throttle would be very advantageous.
If you're going to also use it as a tender outboard then you can rig a 'catch line' from the outboard to the Mac stern deck of a length that does not allow you to drop the outboard and lose it. Only detach the catch line once the outboard is safely attached to the tender.
As a diver I've recovered a few tender outboards for people.
Dave.
Dave Newton Sailbadthesinner