Outboard use

[Bdozz]

I have a question, I have an old venture 24 that my son and I picked up on the cheap last fall and only used a couple of times. My question is what is the easiest way to use an outboard on it, we used a 5 horse merc tiller motor and it was quite awkward to work the throttle and tiller on the motor, and the tiller on the boat at the same time , would you lock the motor so it doesn't steer and use the boats rudder to steer , or keep the rudder off of the boat until the sails are up, I would think that would be hard? How do you experienced sailors do it ?

[Jim Cate]

When really under way, leave the o/b straight ahead and steer with the ship's rudder. There are times at slow speed and in tight quarters (like getting into a tight marina berth) when it is advantageous to use both engine and rudder. Takes a bit of practice (that's a hint!) but can add a lot of maneuverability!

Jim