M17 motor requirements
I had a 4 hp ob on a boat about the size of the Monty 17 but lighter displacement and had several hair raising experiences with the rig in Florida trying to motor into Government Cut in Miami as well as the Hillsborough Inlet further up the coast. When the wind was on the nose and the waves were 3 feet or so, forward progress was about nil. That experience at Government Cut in Miami involved a draw bridge, rush hour traffic and my boat inching forward under the span. I could see the bridge operator glaring down at me with his hand on the button. I did clear the bridge. It was closing as my stern eased out from under its shadow. Then I wondered what I would do if my screaming ob decided to quit at that moment. Not good thoughts. Was under powered years later on Lake Travis outside of Austin, Tx. 25 knots on the nose funneled between high banks on each side. Better a little too much power than not quite enough. Tom B
Thanks all for your postings of experiences with your various sizes and types of outboards on M17s and similar craft. Anyone feel free to add more from their own situation. Since I got the Tohatsu 6hp with the boat I'll try that first of course. If I downsize at some point, it would be to have a lighter smaller simpler more convenient motor that still meets my needs. I prefer to seldom use or need a motor. I've sailed more dinghys and the occasional cat than displacement boats, and the larger boats I've sailed have had very minimal auxiliary motors (a Honda 2hp and later a Torqeedo on an International Folkboat, or a small electric trolling motor on a Potter 19, for example), and mostly I didn't use them except when it was absolutely required to get sailing (like getting the Potter, un-rigged, from ramp and under low bridge to dock where it could be rigged). If I'm expecting a motor to rescue me from a situation I shouldn't be in, motor or no motor, I've already blown it. If I'm motoring because there's no wind, hull speed would be nice, and, however fast it can push me is for sure faster than I'd be sailing. To be continued... cheers, John S. -- John Schinnerer - M.A., Whole Systems Design -------------------------------------------- - Eco-Living - Whole Systems Design Services People - Place - Learning - Integration john@eco-living.net - 510.982.1334 http://eco-living.net http://sociocracyconsulting.com
participants (2)
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John Schinnerer -
Thomas Buzzi