Outboard Well - Instruction manual

[imported_Sean]

Where do I find some instructions on putting an outboard well in my sailboat ? What should I look out for ?

The boat is a displacement sloop of 25 ft with a traditional counter stern.

Thanks.

[capt jake]

Dont' know if this will help you or not. Here are some photos.
http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/princeoutboard1.jpg
http://www.bandbyachtdesigns.com/princcockpit1.jpg

[On Vacation]

Just a note of information. A well in a sailboat has in the past created problems with overheating and lack of air to the engine fouling plugs. The hull tuck creates some cavitation if the height of the engine is not low enough. Many have used blowers in a closed enviroment to get enough air in it to run properly. If at all possible, check with the builder if it is known. If this is your boat that you built, or you are not aware of the buildier, check around marinas and talk to some that has one around you.

Pretty boat, and nice setup. Capt. Jake. smile.gif

[ 11-04-2002, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Oyster ]

[Bruce Hooke]

As Oyster said, it's very important that the motor get enough air so proceed carefully. Also, be aware that with most wells you can't tip the motor up (unless it is a very long well). So, if you don't want the drag of the motor when it's not in use you have to lift it out of the well and find someplace else on board to stow it and then ideally fit a cover plate to the bottom of the well. Also, you often can't turn the motor very far to either side, so you can't use it to spin the boat around the way you can with a transom mounted motor. With the transom mounted motor on my father's 23' fin-keel sailboat you can pretty much spin the boat around in place. This is great for tight manouvering and it is also very useful for getting off if you run aground on a soft bottom because quite frequently you can use the motor to power the boat around so that it rotates on the keel and then once you are pointed towards deeper water fishtail the motor to push yourself off. This 'saved' me many times when I was in places like the NJ section of the ICW where the official depth of the dredged channel was often equal to, or even less than, the draft of the sailboat.

Finally, remember that the well effectively becomes part of the hull of the sailboat, meaning if it fails you sink. So, the well must be constructed to be essentially as strong as the hull itself...

[capt jake]

Pretty boat, and nice setup. Capt. Jake.
Thanks Oyster, but I think you know whose boat that is, now don't you? smile.gif

[ion barnes]

Have a look at a Thunderbird. I believe it was designed with the intention to be able to tilt the OB when desired. I have seen one or two that the hole was filled in too. Gota talk to the owners. Lots of Tbirds, lots of owners, lots of opinions.

[imported_Sean]

Thanks folks;

I'm not big on hacking a giant hole in my boat but the diesel option is'nt winning that many points either (expense,weight,space).

Right now I have a transom mounted outboard but it does tend to come out of the water.

[Venchka]

OLDDBOAT-

I see that you are in St. Andrews, N.B. and mention was made in a previous post to look at a Thunderbird. I know John Anderson, professional boatbuilder, lives in St. Andrews and owns a Thunderbird with an 8h.p. outboard in a well.

I hope this helps.

Wayne
30N, 90W

[imported_Sean]

Thanks Wayne;

I've been meaning to drop by and see John. His T-bird did'nt make the water this year.

He has one of the nicest shops I've ever seen.

[Venchka]

I certainly am glad to hear that! John will be starting on a boat for me soon and I am looking forward to visiting him, his shop, my boat and St. Andrews probably in January.