Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:In my post yesterday, I mentioned my 26X, which I keep in Florida, for winter use, w/50 HP Suzuki. It still has the original prop that came with the OBM. I think the prop is below the rudders, when they float up/are tied up.
If you are not having the problem with the Yamaha, maybe it was the Bigfoot prop.
I also have a Mac 19, and a 26M here in Wisconsin.
If you are not having the problem with the Yamaha, maybe it was the Bigfoot prop.
mastreb wrote:There exists no greater courage than self-acceptance sir. You have my admiration. I have an unusual suggestion: if you won't be sailing, why not shorten just one rudder? Then you'll have a long rudder, a shoal rudder, and a skeg. The best control for any depth.
if not lifted out of the water when I'm sailing. Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:I have a Mac 19 (Evinrude 30 HP), 26C(S), 26M (Mercury 50 HP [not a Bigfoot]), and Tattoo 26 (Evinrude 60 HP) at my shop, among/amid other boats.
With the OBM(s) down, centered, cranked all the way to port and/or starboard, none of the prop(s) hit any of the rudders regardless if they are down vertically, horizontally, nor in any other position.
My 26X (Suzuki 50 HP) is in Florida. I'll be going down there O/A November 15, for the first time, this fall/winter. To the best of my recollection, my prop did not hit the rudder(s) on this boat either, but I will check.
I don't think it makes any more sense to raise the OBM out of the water when sailing than it does to dis-connect the brakes on your car when you are on the highway just because you are not using them at the time. It makes the boat more maneuverable, acting as a third rudder. It doesn't reduce the speed. If you need the OBM right now, it's one less thing to do (lowering the OBM). I was rounding a point last winter on my way to Cabbage Key for a cheeseburger when a very large powerboat came around from the other side at a high rate of speed and knocked my bow in towards the mangroves. I simply turned the key, started my OBM, put it in reverse and backed off.
I saw something yesterday that I don't recall seeing before: a pick-em-up truck with a snow-plow on the front, towing a boat.
with 60hp etech and prop definitely does not hit the rudders regardless of where the OB or rudders are positioned. Believe me if it could be stuffed up I would have done it at some stage. 
Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL wrote:Last winter, Charlotte Harbor, on my 26X w/50 HP Suzuki down, starboard tack, 5.2 MPH on my GPS.
I raised the OBM, same heading, 5.2 MPH.
I lowered the OBM, same heading, 5.2 MPH.
I raised the OBM, same heading, 5.2 MPH.
I lowered the OBM, same heading, 5.2 MPH, and left it down.
If my GPS would have shown the speed to the hundreds instead of tenths, It may have shown a decline in MPH.
However, I think, personally, that any decrease in speed is more than made up in maneuverability, etc. I power-sail in light winds, as I did on my way to Cayo Costa, going faster than a much larger boat with a lot more sail up.
Tomfoolery wrote:Several folks who've converted to a trawler have added a stub mast to replace the original, using the original hinged mast step. Add a masthead (steaming) light, which could be taken from the real mast since you won't be using it anyway, and put a VHF antenna on it, too, assuming you have a marine radio down below. You can stick an LED all-round white anchor light on the top.
I'm working on the layout of such a mast that can also support the middle of the sailing mast when in travel configuration, with the crutch jacked up 12" for clearance, and with hooks for bicycle support so they're not on the deck. I hope to make a wooden version to try, then replace with Starboard or similar after it's tuned to perfection.
Poke around here for folks who've done this or similar.
