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neilgbj
147 Posts |
 Posted - 21 Jul 2008 : 20:03:10
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Went for a bit of a 'cruise' yesterday (very windy, great fun, great boat in those conditions)and a friend offered me the use of his engine .......4 hp long shaft. Never used one on a sailing dinghy before so put it on and had a play part of the way back....when using an engine on a dinghy (not planning to use one a lot but just in case)do you have much board down (we had a bit) and I take it you use the engine to steer (we did)? Apart from the noise the boat seemed to handle well and coming in across a strong tide avoiding moored boats was well........easier ! (I am trying to convince myself that the 'pleasure' of doing it just under sail is worth it !)...any tips or comments on engine use welcome (4 hp seemed ok, have others used smaller ?)
Neil (270)
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deswift
122 Posts |
Posted - 21 Jul 2008 : 20:48:35
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We use a 3.3 mariner 2 stroke, which I bought new when I bought the boat (£450). It's very economical and compact. Goes without saying that you wouldn't use it when racing - if the wind drops, there's always a safety boat to tow you back. But we sometimes use it when we're cruising in the afternoon/evening, just in case the breeze disappears. And it's handy if the kids just want to go for a potter up the river.
What I would say (and the Mariner is Very light) is that we've really noticed the extra weight and slower acceleration while under sail!
I generally lock the outboard in the middle and steer using the boat's rudder/tiller. Otherwise I end up sitting on the transom, as the tillers on those small outboards are generally very short!
Here on the Hamble we have a very large fleet of SB3s they all use outboards to get away from the jetty/slipway and stow them inboard when they're under sail. Shame there's no where you can really stow the engine inside the stratos, all that weight back on the transom creates drag.
Other thing it's worth noting. The boat is so well balanced on the launching trolley, that with the outboard in place, it becomes stern-heavy, so while maneuvering on the trolley, I take the outboard off and lay it in the fore-deck, on a couple of buoyancy aids.
David
303 |
Edited by - deswift on 21 Jul 2008 20:51:56 |
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NickM
United Kingdom
53 Posts |
Posted - 23 Jul 2008 : 23:32:39
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I use a 2.5hp 4 stroke on a Stratos Keel (with the keel down) for apres sail visits to pubs in the Falmouth area. It pushes along nicely at 5 kts with 4/5 up.
I have kept it on the bracket when sailing solo, day cruising. Not pretty, but it doesn't seem to affect the performance too much.
NickM |
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Sayling
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2008 : 21:13:25
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I thought I read somewhere that you're supposed to use a short shaft outboard on the Stratos?
Has anyone had any experience with electric outboards?
Sayling
sail no. 568 - 'Ketchup' @ FGSC |
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bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2008 : 10:26:04
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hi sayling
I have a 2hp Honda short shaft and I have only fitted it , not run it, but the short shaft look perilously short. I'm off to the Norfolk coast next week and have to do some creeks with it so I'll let you know how i fared
does any one else use a short shaft or do you need a long shaft?
Neill, Cambridge 622 |
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bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2008 : 10:33:06
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hi sayling
electric outboards, you have to have a battery in the boat don't you?
batteries have acid in them and roll about, not sure I would choose this option, I think its much better for a day boat on a river, say for peace and quiet, and of course the environment, but hey , sails are environmentally friendly arn't they!!! 
I plan to capsize to the starboard, that way i keep the out board out of the water!!! 
neill cambridge |
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pcarter
United Kingdom
81 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2008 : 11:27:52
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We have a Honda 2.3 - the short shaft version - this works well. I believe the long shaft version is NOT recommended.
Pete 789 |
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Sayling
United Kingdom
31 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2008 : 20:57:44
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quote:
Originally posted by bubble
hi sayling
electric outboards, you have to have a battery in the boat don't you?
batteries have acid in them and roll about, not sure I would choose this option, I think its much better for a day boat on a river, say for peace and quiet, and of course the environment, but hey , sails are environmentally friendly arn't they!!!
I plan to capsize to the starboard, that way i keep the out board out of the water!!!
neill cambridge
We are going on the Norfolk Broads with a motor cruiser in Sept. and I was wondering about (if I decide to take the Stratos with me) whether electric power would be better than a petrol engine. My brother in law who will be with us is a keen fisherman, and for pottering around the broads without the mast up this might be an option. About 20 years ago when the kids were still at home, we had a great holiday on the Broads taking our 420 with us. Every time we moored, they took off in the dinghy and we didn't see them till teatime.
I'd look for a battery which was spillproof, and secure it forward if I could.
I've also been thinking about fitting a rowlock onto the engine bracket (bought but not yet installed), and sculling over the stern with a long oar.
Sayling
sail no. 568 - 'Ketchup' @ FGSC |
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deswift
122 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2008 : 23:28:07
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Our mariner is a short shaft, therefore the the cavitation plates on the leg of the motor are flush with the bottom of the boat, which is perfect. More importantly, with a short shaft, when we're sailing with the motor in the raised position, it doesn't 'drag' in the water.
Steering with the rudder/tiller is not as responsive as steering with the outboard, but more convenient, (because you can sit further forward or stand up). If you want to make a tight turn, I've found you have to steer with the outboard tiller!
Centreboard doesn't really make too much difference, when under power, in my experience.
Great fun though for getting the kids used to steering, we had a great picnic on the boat today and our eldest, who's six, steered all the way.
Hope this helps.
David
303
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bubble
51 Posts |
Posted - 08 Aug 2008 : 21:59:07
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Hi all
used my outboard [2hp honda short shaft] in a tidal creek at burham overly stathe in north norfolk.
found it very useful and performed fantastically. short shaft is fine, hp is fine no probs at all
it means you can sail back in to close quarters, where it would have been impossible with a sail up.
motored against the tide and a 8 knot wind with no probs
fixed the engine and used the boat rudder, only turned the engine in shallow water when the rudder had to be up
the boat grounded on the beach before the motor touched so good in every way
kind regards
neill cambridge 622 |
Edited by - bubble on 08 Aug 2008 22:01:57 |
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Engine tips
