An interesting read, some needful uplift, and in the “not even a little bit” department…
For a while now, I’ve been flirting with various alternative propulsion schemes. Mostly, that’s spelled getting rid of the 37HP diesel and replacing it with something more sustainable. So I’ve been keeping my eyes out for a smaller diesel or an electric drive system. So far, hardly a blip on my radar.
The interim propulsion system is a 6HP side-mounted system similar to the one that Yves Gelinas used on his circumnavigation with Jean du Sud.
Because outboards on sailboats of a certain size are prone to hassle factor, I’ll be adding a Yuloh. I recently bought plans from Thomas MacNaughton. Granted, there’s a lot of various DIY yuloh plans around but spending $18 for a plan is a no-brainer and frees up my mind for other projects.
Speaking of which, I’ve a cunning plan for a new hard dodger…
I ditched my diesel on a 32 rigless Pearson bought in 2006. And re-rigged to chinese lug. The first thing I did was build a yuloh for it and it worked well. Next was a side mount outboard engine bracket I designed and had welded up for a 8 hp, long shaft outboard. Which performed miserably in any kind of swell. Plus it was tough to swing up on the side of the cockpit (although would have been immeasurably better with a lighter engine). If I’d kept the boat any longer I’d have gone to James Baldwins “Atom” stern well, which would have worked well on the Pearson Vanguard with its overhanging stern. Luckily we sold it and bought a 31 Bolgeresque AS style sharpie. Also with yuloh! Also with junk rig. Which hopelessly corrupted me design wise.
I met a German couple on a very low freeboard Baltic type inshore racing boat, and they mounted the engine amidships as aft it tended to blow out when pitching……although they did say they rolled hard enough once to almost put the power head under. 4hp on a 36ft.
But, why not use your shaft and prop and install one of the many Honda GX air cooled clones of around 6-10hp? At least it could also be used with a pulley belt to run a pump or alternator, and at less cost than an outboard. I imagine the noise it would make will save you a fortune in gas!
Good point!
That said, I already have a couple of spare outboards…