Going from inboard to outboard?

[SeaLady]

Bear ^^^^^

You are not allowed to use your engine in the Sydney to Hobart.
That would be cheating.

[Miker]

Shaun, as you know I've been living with a Tohatsu 8 4 stroke since buying Dulcamara. Having never had a diesel, I can't really compare, but I've been in and out of the Swansea bar, and around West Head in Pittwater during many Southerlies without too many cavitations. For me, cavitations are only caused by too many crew being forward, or in the cabin. You can also almost always angle to the chop to alleviate some of the steepness.

Steering is almost always done with the main tiller, except in very tight spots where I use the outboard tiller. I use about a litre an hour, depending on the conditions.

When returning from Lake Macquarie last year I motored for 7 hours in no wind and soaking rain, averaging 5 knots.

Bear, there may not be any outboards in the Hobart, but Jamie Mitchell was happy enough circumnavigating Possibilities with one hung off the back.......

My opinion has always been, buying a good solid boat with and outboard is much preferable to buying a poorly maintained boat with a diesel......

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Miker ,

As you know , I owned a Big Block Chev powered Sanger that as a family , we use to waterski behind at Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury . The Waterskiing fraternity have a lot of one eyed supporters , and passions run high in both camps . Though as most of my family sailing time on the weekends will be based around Broken Bay , the practical use and serviceability seems to be the way to go for us anyway - Just don't tell any of my old ski buddies " i'm considering Outboard power !! ". Lol

The Mk1 we were looking at , at DBYS - Pittwater was a Beautiful vessel in my eyes , though the Diesel was not appealing for me . Though I'm sure others will pop up O/B Auxillery power sourced , when I am ready to buy.

The litre that you report for an outboard auxillery power source , is quite economical given the load that it is pushing .

Just wondering at what point is too much rated HP for a Top Hat - 15hp ??

All the best mate ,

Brad
Desiremk1

[ozzibod]

G'day Bear

Don't worry whether it is an inboard or an outboard for offshore... you should be sailing anyway
Plenty of TopHats have sailed from Sydney to Hobart with an outboard hanging out the transom... including mine. Worked a treat. No motor required to cross the strait, just keep sailing. Coming into barways, bays, jetties, anchorages etc, the outboard does just fine.
I recently purchased a Tohatsu 9.8hp two stroke and it is just the ticket. Very fuel efficient for a 2 stroke, light, simple and trouble free. Wouldn't go back to an inboard if you paid me.
So there !!

Ozzibod

Sintra II an old Mk1 launched Dec 4th 1969.
Hangs off a mooring in Montagu Bay in Hobart

[Troppo]

Just wondering at what point is too much rated HP for a Top Hat - 15hp ??

Brad, my Tophat came with a 18 hp 2 stroke Tohatsu in an enlarged cockpit well. It is the same weight as the 9.9 hp 2 stroke Tohatsu (40 odd kg) so I think the PO decided since more hp could be had for basically the same size motor so go for it. I have no experience of smaller hp in the Tophat to compare it with. I don't know if I have used it at full throttle. I probably did once when I ran onto a sandbar and did an emergency reverse and another time when I was going over a bar entrance and I saw a scarey big wave rising up some way behind me. Both times I was not focused on exactly what I was doing with the revs but I just wanted to get out of there. The extra hp may have had some effect with pushing off the sandbar but none at all when at hull speed.

For cruising, I often have it revving so slow that I think I would be better off with a 9.8 hp as smaller and lighter. Fuel wise, at higher revs such as fighting against chop and wind but still maintaining 6 knts it can chew through 5 or more litres an hour but general cruising at 5 or 6 knts I can get 20 nm from my 20 litre tank so I am impressed what it can do even though only on about half throttle or so. With some wind or tide in my favour I have got 30 nm from my 20 litre tank.

Overall, I do think the 18 hp is overkill but it came with the boat, was practically brand new and despite it being heavy and a tight fit in the well has been a joy to use and not too thirsty. Electric start is also nice.

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Troppo ,

I am also leaning towards an O/B being transom mounted , for a couple of reasons. :

1) Not having an Outboard mounted in the well of Mk2-3 , will create more space in that area .
2) Having young children , less noise emitted from the Outboard , would tend to allow my monkeys more pleasure to get on my nerves ( lol ) .....

As I favour the aesthetic lines and design of the Mk1 , I have seen a few where the transom has been reprofiled with the centre cut out to allow an outboard to sit lower in the water . So it is just a matter of when we move to Sydney from Broken Hill , currently renovating our 100 year old miners cottage , that we are keeping as a rental .

All the best mate ,
Brad
DESIREMK1

[SeaLady]

Oops sorry.
Accidental double post.

[SeaLady]

My previous (marital) boat, was a Maurauder 27 with a diesel inboard.

When I bought Sea Lady an inboard was the last thing on my list for the following reasons.

1. Starting. Need power in the battery and batteries have been known to go flat for more reasons than leaving the cabin lights on.
2. Diesel. Smelly stinky stuff and there is always oil and black goo everywhere.
3. Vibrations. The entire boat shakes.
4. Repairs and maintenance - need to get a diesel marine mechanic to get on the boat. With an outboard sling it in the back of the car.
5. Cost of repairing / replacing when someone forgets to check the oil and lots of black smoke billows everywhere and there is a loud clanking noise followed by silence.
Cost for a reconditioned engine $7,000 - ouch.
7. Takes up loads of storage space.


Benefits:
1. Can recharge batteries and have a powered anchor winch and fridge.
2. Can start with a key.


I chose to go with an outboard and a simple boat.

[storm petrel]

All fair Diana but not all diesels have the problems you listed:

1. A lot of diesels can be crank started if no electrical energy is available. ( Mine takes a bit of muscle but does go if cranked)
2. Diesel does smell but even after 30 years in the boat there is no 'black stuff' and no diesel leaks in my boat.
3. Isolation mounts reduce vibration as does a twin cylinder diesel and modern light-weight diesels have less intrusive vibrations.
4. If you are a little mechanical you can do all the standard services without need to waste money on a mechanic.
5. Cost of rebuild can be ridiculous, so it is important that you look after your diesel, but a well loved diesel should give 10,000 hours of operation between rebuilds ( that's a lot of years for the average Joe who uses his/her diesel for 50 hrs per year.
6. Not sure what the problem was here?
7. Another good point; a diesel does take up space, but you do not need to raise the leg out of the water after you use it.

Cheers,
Mark

[DESIREMK1]

Hi Diana ,

One of my biggest concerns with a diesel inboard , is that my children are quite young , and still will be when I buy in a few years ( Daughter 3 / 2 sons 4 and 8 now ) . The thought of emissions leaking into where my children will be enjoying their weekend at times is a scarey thought , am I being a bit dramatic , or does this concern warrant some investigation into its reality , as opposed to having an O/B and tank in the open , with at least no potential for gassing them ...

Correct me if I am being a dramatic guys ??


P.S. - And the added extra room without inboard installed is a good thing , with a young family onboard I believe . The O/B would create a more family friendly environment in my opinion , as it would be less intrusive . Been on Miker's Mk3 at Pittwater , and found it quite practical in use , and appealing as a Father of three younglings ....


Brad
DESIREMK1