Sail Drives..Like em?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by Mirage Gecko

Cote mar
That's pretty impressive motoring at 7.5 knts with 1 engine and 10 with two.
With one at around 2600 I'm lucky to get 5 SOG in reasonable conditions although only have 20hp Yanmars and folders.
We chartered a Mahe couple years back and would not quite do 8 flat out on two but can't remember what motors were fitted.
I like my sail drives but that's what is in the current boat I also liked the shafts,stern drives and outboards in my previous boats.Ive never really been in a position to choose what to fit from scratch but what was already fitted has never been a factor in choosing a used boat if in good nick.
Chris

The stock standard diesel motor for the Mahe 36 is Volvo Penta 20 hp with fixed two blade prop.

That is also the engine and prop setup you chartered as I charted it also.

It's always a good move to upgrade the engines and props as it will most likely never be changed out later on.

This boat flys with the Volvo Penta 30hp upgrade and 3 bladed folding props.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

REALLY

A boat with diesel engines is charging their batteries and getting hot water as a free byproduct.

With an outboard engine you miss out on both of these freebies.

You must endure doing these two chores at a later time in a nice quiet harbor when everyone else is enjoying dinner and a nice cold glass of wine your firing up that Flippin Loud quiet Honda 2000 and firing up the gas fired hot water heater.

It takes the suckyness factor up a notch when everyone is enjoying themselves and you’re eating dinner with no ice and listing to your favorite Honda 2000 vibrations.

Amazing! Your post is garbage on so many levels it's hard to know where to start!

Do you ever read anyone else's posts? Do you ever post anything other than absolute drivel?

For a start, electricity from a diesel ISN'T FREE. You have to pay for the fuel used to generate it.

We "MUST" endure these "chores" later? What, we can't run the genset (if needed) earlier in the day, or whilst travelling? Oh yeah and switching on the silent gas water heater is SUCH a chore...

Also, outboards DO charge batteries. It's less but it's not a "Freebie" we "miss out on".

Where did the "no ice" crap come from? Does your diesel have an icemaker built in? We have a fridge and freezer. If we want ice, we have it. We run them purely from the solar panels at least 80% and probably more than 90% of the time. The last time I ran our Honda genset (weeks ago now) was simply to give it a run, it had been sitting unused in the locker for so long.

If you want a hot shower every day, you have to run you diesel for 1/2 an hour. We've been in anchorages for weeks, haven't run our engines at all, haven't run the genset either, but have had hot showers every day, ice in our drinks, and as much fresh water as we need. Running a diesel just to make hot water is terribly inefficient, and not good for the engine.

I get the impression from your posts that you really never actually SAIL anywhere. No "free" electricity or hot water from motors when you're sailing. If you motor everywhere diesels are certainly the best option.

However, because we SAIL, we may not get free hot water, but we do get free transport.....

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by smj

The hot water heater? Well maybe not as small a foot print as we would like!

Far better than running a diesel to make hot water though!

[smj]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

Far better than running a diesel to make hot water though!

Your absolutely right. But when we buy our next cat I swear to only use sun showers!

[Cotemar]

44'cruisingcat,

Sorry, I am turning over a new leaf right now.
Outboards are OK and they work very well for your boat design.

[smj]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

44'cruisingcat,

Sorry, I am turning over a new leaf right now.
Outboards are OK and they work very well for your boat design.

And I love all cats, diesel, saildrive, hydraulic drive what does it matter?

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by smj

And I love all cats, diesel, saildrive, hydraulic drive what does it matter?

I agree. It's all good fun.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

Outboards are OK and they work very well for your boat design.

Too bad the OP didn't ask about outboards.

[Cotemar]

Originally Posted by DotDun

Too bad the OP didn't ask about outboards.

Ya, This thread did kind of take on a few different lives, didn't it.
I sort of lost track of where the door to this fun house is.

[Jimbo485]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

44'cruisingcat,

Sorry, I am turning over a new leaf right now.
Outboards are OK and they work very well for your boat design.

Well done, Cotemar!

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by Cotemar

44'cruisingcat,

Sorry, I am turning over a new leaf right now.
Outboards are OK and they work very well for your boat design.

No need to apologise. Outboards don't work for every boat, or everyone. They do work for us though. I'm not trying to convert anyone, just trying to clear up misconceptions.

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by DotDun

Too bad the OP didn't ask about outboards.

True, but if you're talking about a drive system, it makes sense to talk about the alternatives too, doesn't it?

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by 44'cruisingcat

True, but if you're talking about a drive system, it makes sense to talk about the alternatives too, doesn't it?

Absolutely! Thread drift to stoke egos is the norm on CF!

[colemj]

What is all this hot water crap? If you sail in reasonable parts of the world, a cool shower is what you are hankering for at the end of a day. We haven't wanted hot water in 5yrs.

Mark

[tamicatana]

I wish I didn't need hot water but we have to work to get some money so we can get to where we don't. Like the technology under discuss'n here, it's a circular thing, as in, ain't nothin' fo' free

It seems to me that making the statement that OB weigh less isn't as true as it might seem when you consider that you have to add a generator and/or solar panels, water heater, and carry more fuel. Still may be less, but might be more of a wash than one might think.