Hi. Many thanks for your email and for both the comments and the welcome. I am very interested in the comments that have been forthcoming about the virtues of the small ie. under 6HP motors. My boat handling skills will not , I am sure , match Stan's or the experienced sailors in the group . However I will look very seriously now at 6HP and lower. Thanks for all your guidance. Best wishes Roger On 21119-Jan-12, at 9:02 AM, GILASAILR@aol.com wrote:
Roger,
Welcome to the group!
-chiming in on the engine issue - I sail M-17 like to sail-not motor, 4HP 2-stroke Evinrude Yachtwin(motivation to use infrequently-smoke- and too cheap to replace it as it works well) More than enough power with 'displacement type' prop.
The 2 HP Honda is very impressive - it is tough. I will probably replace with that engine when necessary.
BTW - Stan is one of those guys that regularly sails stern first into his slip -usually with little drama.
Boat handling skills are a good thing and go a long way to affording maneuverability - Stan's skills are good++ hence a STRONG/ capable 2HP works for his case. (those Balboa/Newport kids are good at boathandling skills,light air,short courses, frozen bananas and heavy traffic - nature of the 'turf'.)
Check the output Watt/RPM for generating cap. on outboards - usually ineffective at VERY best. A 10W solar panel w/regulator keeps 'house' battery at 100% for over two years to date, I have used this setup for almost 25 years - on second panel now.
Hope you get out in your boat soon - great little boats.
Have Fun, Go Sailing. GO M-17 sail# 354 hull #316a