Cruisers Forum
 


Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. Advertise Here
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 04-06-2018, 12:11   #1
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: fl- various marinas
Boat: morgan O/I 33' sloop
Posts: 1,447
USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

My Morgan backs like a pig. Looked into stern drives but $ 5-7 k is a little pricey. I'm wondering if a 5 to 10 HP outboard with remote throttle and reverse could work to offset adverse wind and/or tide Battery drain is no issue as I would be running the engine to enter or leave the slip. I'm wondering if anybody has tried this or knows good reasons not to.
The impact of a little drag on sailing speed does not concern me.
Dave22q is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-06-2018, 13:39   #2
Registered User
 
ranger58sb's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
Boat: 58' Sedan Bridge
Posts: 5,598
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

I'd have thought your Morgan would back fine, steerable once you get enough way on, prop walk usable in one direction or the other at slower speeds... Probably with boatloads of practice, etc., but still...

If necessary, though, I could guess a bow thruster might be more useful than an electric outboard on the stern.

-Chris
__________________
Chesapeake Bay, USA.
ranger58sb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2018, 20:06   #3
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Mandurah, Western Australia
Boat: Roberts 45
Posts: 50
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave22q View Post
My Morgan backs like a pig. Looked into stern drives but $ 5-7 k is a little pricey. I'm wondering if a 5 to 10 HP outboard with remote throttle and reverse could work to offset adverse wind and/or tide Battery drain is no issue as I would be running the engine to enter or leave the slip. I'm wondering if anybody has tried this or knows good reasons not to.
The impact of a little drag on sailing speed does not concern me.
Just saw your post. My Roberts Mauritius also backs like a pig and I am considering putting a 15 horsepower outboard on a slide and a turntable so it can be used as a thruster when lowered to the water level. I would have a block set which would raise it back up on a twin rail setup so it could be stored at rail height above the gunnel. I have researched that a 15 horsepower Yamaha outboard has an identical thrust of a bow thruster appropriate for our boat which is a 43 ft steel ketch. My wife would operate the outboard from the duck board and assist the backing of the boat and also turning the boat if we ever get in the situation say between reefs when we have to turn in tight circumstances. It would also fashion as an emergency engine if for instance we might lose the main engine coming into an anchorage or marina etc. I don't think my wife is too keen on the idea but neither are we too keen on spending $8,000 or so installing a bow thruster and she does by the ancillary benefits prognosed
Velella99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-07-2018, 11:03   #4
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: fl- various marinas
Boat: morgan O/I 33' sloop
Posts: 1,447
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

I'm now considering using the motor on the dinghy to turn the stern. My thought is that the forward motion would be applied at the deck cleats creating some heel thus reducing the force needed to turn. Any engineer out there who sees something I missed?
Dave22q is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-07-2018, 14:49   #5
Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 11,004
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

Just to push the stern, you likely don't need anything close to 5hp.

I would look at trolling motors. They make units that attach to the stern drive ventlation plate. You could mount it sideways and install it on a simple hinged bracket that has it completely clear of the water when not in use but could flip down in seconds to act as a stern thruster.
valhalla360 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-07-2018, 15:59   #6
Registered User

Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: States - Northeast
Boat: '86 MacGregor 25
Posts: 557
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

Quote:
Originally Posted by valhalla360 View Post
Just to push the stern, you likely don't need anything close to 5hp.

I would look at trolling motors. They make units that attach to the stern drive ventlation plate. You could mount it sideways and install it on a simple hinged bracket that has it completely clear of the water when not in use but could flip down in seconds to act as a stern thruster.

Though about exactly this for a while, but never got to the point of trying it. 50 lb thrust should be enough to offset propwalk on sub-40 ft boats. Motor would be oriented so "forward" would counter propwalk, and "reverse" could be used to if you wanted to come about quicker. I thought of mounting it right on the bottom of the stern ladder.

Would be nice to be able to back up straight. Also could be used when docking to hold the stern in place until you get the stern line on.
wyb2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-07-2018, 17:30   #7
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 41
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

Maybe the minn kota type electric motors. They have 3ft or 4ft shaft. Now days they have many with big power. Or a Torqueedo.
@$250 to $2000. Plus batteries. 12 volt to 48 volt
johnserr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-07-2018, 17:40   #8
Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: fl- various marinas
Boat: morgan O/I 33' sloop
Posts: 1,447
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

THANKS FOR THE VARIOUS RSPONSES. QUESTION I ASKED WAS IF LOW ANCHORAGE WAS PREFERABLE TO DECK LEVEL CLEATS. WOULD BE GREAT ID SOMEBODY ADDRESSED IT.
Dave22q is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21-07-2018, 18:11   #9
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 41
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave22q View Post
THANKS FOR THE VARIOUS RSPONSES. QUESTION I ASKED WAS IF LOW ANCHORAGE WAS PREFERABLE TO DECK LEVEL CLEATS. WOULD BE GREAT ID SOMEBODY ADDRESSED IT.
Don't understand....
johnserr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22-07-2018, 08:27   #10
Senior Cruiser
 
newhaul's Avatar

Cruisers Forum Supporter

Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: puget sound washington
Boat: 1968 Islander bahama 24 hull 182, 1963 columbia 29 defender. hull # 60
Posts: 12,775
Re: USING ELECTRIC OUTBOARD AS STERN DRIVE

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave22q View Post
I'm now considering using the motor on the dinghy to turn the stern. My thought is that the forward motion would be applied at the deck cleats creating some heel thus reducing the force needed to turn. Any engineer out there who sees something I missed?
Dave I will try to answer
The heal would be negligible so using tender to assist in tight quarters would be just fine.
Think tugboat and ship .
__________________
Non illigitamus carborundum
newhaul is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
electric, outboard

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Rudder Drive: Superb Electric Drive Innovation - Hanse 315 myocean Engines and Propulsion Systems 6 21-10-2016 07:05
V-drive Versus Stern Drive Wolfgang6 Powered Boats 32 28-03-2016 12:36
Anyone using the Aquawatt 13Kw electric outboard? deckofficer Engines and Propulsion Systems 7 05-02-2016 18:22
Grease Pump In Stern Gland - Is Using It Like This Ok? charliehows Propellers & Drive Systems 0 19-11-2012 20:50
Merc hp165 Stern Drive Sea Pump Impeller dave and kate Propellers & Drive Systems 0 22-10-2011 00:42

Advertise Here


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:55.


Google+
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Social Knowledge Networks
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.

ShowCase vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.