BWY Custom Steering Kit for a26M

[K9Kampers]

When sailing, I have the motor UP... so that when I pass the blue hulls, (& the white hulls), they know that it is not because of the Iron Genny!!

[RobertB]

Without getting into the motor up/down, connected/disconnected discussion, I installed the BWY linkage for three reasons:
1) the stock motor linkage folded up like a pretzel (really inconvenient when in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay and only able to go in a circle - ever try to straighten thick steel on a fiberglass boat?),
2) the BWY supplier bought all the quick disconnect rod ends available in the USA (I was going to make my own), and
3) I use it to secure the motor when trailering

[Russ]

When you are sailing with the motor down and not running, is it better to have the engine "in gear" or in "nuetral" so the prop can spin freely?

I would think in nuetral with the prop spinning would reduce the drag, but is this add unnessasary wear on the engine drivetrain?

Yes, spinning is not good. Not sure about outboards, but inboards can create transmission heat and without the motor running to cool it can cause problems. I'd rather not have to hear the prop spinning.

As for drag. I noticed a LOT of drag with it down and it messes up steering. The Mac sails poorly as is, so adding more junk to slow me down doesn't make sense.

[Wind Chime]

Obelisk,

Was your engine "in gear" or in "nuetral" during your tests?

My $0.02
I tested it once on my sailing at about 6.0mph. The difference between having the engine up or down was about 0.3mph - 0.4mph.
For me, not worth it. I keep the engine down at all times when moving.

Obelix

[raycarlson]

I second Obleisk, according to GPS speed reading having my motor up or down makes no difference in forward speed. I always leave motor fully down and ready to start in case its needed. Seems to smooth out the steering also and make steering wheel effort more consistent and even.

[Obelix]

@ Wind Chime,

The engine was in neutral.

Obelix

[Y.B.Normal]

OB trannys are different than inboards. Inboard trannys have more gearing and often need oil pumps to lube them. OBs have their lower unit gears submerged in oil; there is no/little wear when the gears are spinning while in neutral.

[Ixneigh]

Hmmm. I disconnect the motor when sailing because it impacts the feel of the boat. The M model or at least mine, is a delight to sail and I don't want to bugger the feel of the helm with the weight of the motor. I tilt the motor up after I disconnect the linkage. In light winds and close quarters I could see leaving it down.
Ix

[Russ]

I still think you guys are crazy if your motor down doesn't affect performance. There are times when my boat is handling poorly and I look down and realize I'm dragging that foot. I'd love to leave it down all the time and I often do if running downwind which seems to have less effect.

The way I use the BWY steering linkage is to have the motor attached to the steering for docking. It give much more control. Once out, I disconnect it and center the motor. Then I can tilt it up and reduce drag. Tilting the motor back down allows me quick access to motor power with less steering control which I don't need on the open water.

That linkage is brilliant.

[Crikey]

I still think you guys are crazy if your motor down doesn't affect performance. There are times when my boat is handling poorly and I look down and realize I'm dragging that foot. I'd love to leave it down all the time and I often do if running downwind which seems to have less effect.
The way I use the BWY steering linkage is to have the motor attached to the steering for docking. It give much more control. Once out, I disconnect it and center the motor. Then I can tilt it up and reduce drag. Tilting the motor back down allows me quick access to motor power with less steering control which I don't need on the open water.
That linkage is brilliant.

Concur... On the rare few times I've actually put the motor down to provide extra drag when running downwind under a heavy blow, it's not been done - ever - to concede to a competitor. Try dragging a two by four vertically behind you, and tell me you don't notice any drag whatsoever. Extra rudder, I grant you - but why can't it be more streamlined for less resistance at low speed, like the rudders?
Better off left up (in my case), and connected, with less back pressure on my hydraulic system for more sensitive feedback.

[raycarlson]

I don't think a 12inch long 2x4 held sideways vertically would even be noticeable but I think we need a blindfolded on water test to see how sensitive you and your gps can be.

[Crikey]

I don't think a 12inch long 2x4 held sideways vertically would even be noticeable but I think we need a blindfolded on water test to see how sensitive you and your gps can be.

That would be a two by four with the broad side facing forward. Much stronger than holding your hand out a car window at speed. I do agree that it's going to be a fairly small-ish overall difference, but as Russ said the big benefit is in the steering load.

R.

[BOAT]

The bottom line is that if your going to tilt the motor out of the water when sailing, you need to pin the motor in place or it will fall to the side and make the steering fell dumb. If you are NOT going to pin your motor then leave it in the DOWN position.

I sail out in the ocean only - there is nothing out here that requires I need a motor in a heartbeat so after I get all set and I am sailing I FIRST! PIN THE MOTOR and THEN tilt it up out of the water. After i get on a nice tack that i am comfortable with i even might pull a rudder out of the water, but not always - only in very light winds mostly. When everything is in balance I can take may hands off the wheel and the boat tracks just fine with no input on the wheel - I can sail for a good 30 seconds to almost a minute without touching the helm. You can't do that with the motor down. We like to sail on one tack for a long time (like over an hour) so I'm laying on my back in the cockpit looking up at the clouds and gently tweaking the wheel every 20 or 30 seconds. When it's time to tack I sit up and warn the wife and get the ropes cleared under my feet and have plenty of time to prepare for just about anything. You guys sailing in those inland waterways probably should have that motor down and ready - you have challenges and obstacles i do not deal with out there in the ocean.

[Seapup]

My 2 cents...

Rather than buy a quick disconnect go the opposite direction and buy the correct drag link for your motor. Connect the outboard the way its manufacture designed it to be used, permanent & solid to the steering cable though the tilt tube with a drag link. No more motor flop due to the mac linkage leverage or play in the steering system from steering a heavy motor through all the mac levers and joints.

Moving the steering cable to where its intended is a simple change on the X, not sure about the M.

[mastreb]

I measured the difference between motor up and down in 12 knot winds at 0.4 knots, 5.2 knots down and 5.6 knots up. The lighter the winds, the more it matters. Over about 12 knots of wind, you want more drag. Any time I'm thinking about reefing the headsail, I put the motor down.