I just want to chime in on the outboard question. IMHO you need to know what kind of sailing or motoring you really want to do. For me who owns several boats it may be a lot different then you. When I sail my 17 I want to sail. When I use the motor it's usually for a short time or maybe going to weather in a long narrow channel getting to where I want to sail, or just getting somewhere when there's no wind. The other thing I want is light weight . I don't want to lift anything near a 6 hp motor any more, nor do I want the damn thing hanging on the transom. I'm also tired of 2 strokes getting blue smoke and oil on my tuna sandwiches. Enter the Honda 2hp. I had serious doubt that this was enough poop for my fat little 17 but I was wrong. It pushes it a nearly hull speed in flat water and was way blown away how well it did one afternoon towing another lapstrake 17 footer with a lazy crew in after a race. Have I tried going to weather in 30 knots of wind with 3 ft. chop? nope. But I know I could motor sail into it if need be. Anyway it works for me and I'm just pickled tink I got what I got. I actually doubt that it only makes 2 hp. I think the 2 has now become a 2.5 hp and I wonder if they changed anything?/ Stan ________________________________ From: Stan Susman <stanpfa@pacbell.net> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 4:08 PM Subject: Re: M_Boats: New Member & M17 outboard size ________________________________ From: W David Scobie <wdscobie@yahoo.com> To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Saturday, January 28, 2012 11:35 AM Subject: Re: M_Boats: New Member & M17 outboard size roger: i'm with the opinion of others that have stated a 4-5 outboard are just fine for the M17. i have the 4HP suzuki on my M17 (SWEET PEA, #375, built in '83). larry has had better experience with his outboard than i, but i've never been stranded by the motor (just REALLY frustrated). i have never needed to 'full throttle' the 4HP motor. i usually motor along at just over 1/2 throttle at 4.8 knots. the 6HP and 4HP, as larry states, have the same power head and weight. just a different carb. for more HP. the 6HP comes with an external fuel tank option, and the alternator (not available for the 4HP suzuki). 6HP is more than you need on the M17 ... even in the gulf and san juan islands. i'm born and raised from the seattle area and have cruised the san juan and gulf islands since the late 1970s. use the cutout on the transom, don't IMO, consider using a motor mount. larry sails the fastest M17 i've ever seen. i have never seen him dragging the prop when the motor is in the tilted position (larry can better comment if it can happen ... again, i've never seen it in the times i've been behind larry looking at his transom). :: Dave Scobie :: M17 #375 - SWEET PEA - www.m17-375.webs.com :: Sage Marine --- On Sat, 1/28/12, Jeanette Matcham <jeanmatcham@shaw.ca> wrote:
Dear Larry.
Very many thanks for all this advice .
The Suzuki 6 HP sounds good . Many thanks for the comments on the extra long shaft.
Whilst I have a solar panel clearly the charging facility on the 6 HP is very valuable.
I will be interested in the San Juan and Gulf Island cruise and will keep my eyes open for information on this.
I am sorry to be a pain but have you any photographs of the stern of your boat with the Suzuki 6 in place?
Thanks again for your kind help. I very much appreciate your time.
Best wishes
Roger On 28-Jan-12, at 10:29 AM, Larry E Yake wrote:
Roger,
Welcome to the group. You'll love your M17, especially in the great cruising grounds where you live. There is a good group of us the cruise the San Juan and Gulf Islands every couple of years. Next trip will probably be in 2013. Watch this e-mail list for information if you want to join us.
Regarding outboards, the problem with a large motor is in putting too much weight on the stern. Montgomerys like to have the weight forward, keeping the transom out of the water. You'll sail faster with less drag. Most 17 sailors use a 4 or 5 hp motor, and none in our group have had any issues with having enough power for the same waters you plan on sailing. My boat is a 1976 model and has the cutout like yours. I like having the motor there in the cutout. It's a nice solid mount, with no lowering bracket to hassle with, and the weight is further forward. True, only about a foot, but it's a noticeable difference. I tried moving mine to an adjustable mount once and didn't like it at all. The boat just didn't feel right, and leaning over the transom to operate that bracket was a pain. When you mount your motor in the cutout, you have to be aware of the clearance between it and your rudder. Scoot the motor as far to the side as possible. Some motors (like the Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke) have the control arm mounted off to the side which limits how far you can go. For that reason, I use a Suzuki 4 stroke. The control arm is more in front of the motor allowing me to mount the motor near the port side of the cutout, giving better clearance. The Suzuki 4hp and 6hp weigh the same, so I opted for the 6 which is set up for both internal and external tanks. Very nice when cruising. You can also have a charging coil added to charge you house battery while motoring. And yes, you'll want the 20" long shaft motor. Extra long is not really needed.
Larry M17 CornDog