Hi All, This thread got me started on motor musings. Nasty, wonderful little beasties that they are. My M15 came with a 2 hp 4strk Honda of ancient origin. It starts reliably , in gear, lacking a centrifugal clutch,putting and hissing it’s fine spray exhaust. Reverse is simply turning the whole contraption 180degrees. It can be easily taken off and stored. Previously I had an old style Mac 25 with a six hp Yamaha. Even in the raised position it dragged the prop on stb tack in a good breeze. Arhg..... One day a cruiser came into our cove, skippered by a Chilean/Alaskan guy and his wife. The 36’ cutter had a motor but they never used it. They invited me out for an evening sail. We slipped the anchor on a bouy, with a secondary float hanging 50’ back on a 1/4” line. It was a spectacular scene, clouds and sky typical of Baja. What followed was a wonderful introduction to motorless sailing. He tossed cushions over, we picked them up under sail, etc. Spun on a dime, backing and filling twisting, turning, jibing and tacking. Returning, we tacked , Jib backed hove to, luffed the main and drifted down lazily and picked up the trailing painter, hauled her up to the main bouy, stowed gear.. The tequila came out, fine sipping stuff, as the sun went down. All of my previous sailing, with the exception of dingy racing and windsurfing, had been under the pressure of time, abetted by the little tyrant on the stern. I got two books on boat handling written with humor and precision by Englishmen, detailing endless exercises. I took the motor off. A week, then weeks, then years passed, hand, reef , launch,retrieve, fish all under sail. And always a book, food, and coffee for calms. Sailing became a joy again. I’m back in the PNW, and the motor is useful, morning calm and currents always. But my little frenemy doesn’t run the show. Sent from my iPhone
On May 20, 2020, at 6:32 AM, Peter Zimowsky via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Hi: I have a 4-stroke, 4 horse Mercury that is fabulous. I use the motor’s tank most of the time on local reservoirs. When I am sailing the San Juans I use the external 3 gallon tank. Going from Anacortes to Blakely Island Harbor (in SJs) or Orcas and no wind and cruising I use about a gallon depending on currents. I carry a small one gallon plastic gas container to get it filled at the harbor and then replace the gas in the external tank. This has worked well. When on small reservoirs I keep extra gas in the one gallon container and leave the external tank at home. Good winds Pete WinterSky (Zimowsky)
outdoors writer and photographer www.getoutdoorsnorthwest.com <http://www.getoutdoorsnorthwest.com/> Twitter: @zimosoutdoors
The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness – John Muir
On May 20, 2020, at 6:47 AM, Charlie via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
I have a newer model Honda 5 hp with internal tank. Can also be feed with an external tank if needed. Works great. I’m a believer in Honda motors as I’ve had an older model 5 hp for at least 10 yrs on a Drascombe Lugger and never a problem. I use the 3 gal tank. It can only be feed by external tank but fits perfect in Lugger.
Charlie A
Sent from my iPad
On May 20, 2020, at 7:31 AM, Rob Bultman <rob.bultman@gmail.com> wrote:
I'm looking at getting an outboard for my M17 and I have a few questions.
1) If you have an external fuel tank, where do you keep it when you are under sail? 2) If you have an external fuel tank, where do you keep it when you are under power? 3) To what degree does the fuel tank get in the way either when under sail or power? 4) Any opinions on gasoline vs propane outboards?
Thanks, Rob