Trimaran - Especially Searunner - Owners

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Roy M

Bob Dixon, for those who care, is a guy. I have known very well for over thirty years. He has More multihull sea miles than anyone I know. I've crewed with him on YANMAR ENDEAVOUR, setting the record for a diesel powered outboard transit from San Francisco to Honolulu, he has worked on many of the fastest multi in the world, he has survived more capsizes than anyone I know. I have worked with him on multiple projects, both marine and fanciful. I also know more about this complaint than the complainant is revealing. Suffice it to say there is more to this than a simple misunderstanding. And give me a break, a bid a year and a half ago? Something else is in operation here. I stand with Bob. Thanks.

You have it right! There are two sides to every story.

[Roy M]

Bob Dixon, for those who care, is a guy. I have known very well for over thirty years. He has More multihull sea miles than anyone I know. I've crewed with him on YANMAR ENDEAVOUR, setting the record for a diesel powered outboard transit from San Francisco to Honolulu, he has worked on many of the fastest multi in the world, he has survived more capsizes than anyone I know. I have worked with him on multiple projects, both marine and fanciful. I also know more about this complaint than the complainant is revealing. Suffice it to say there is more to this than a simple misunderstanding. And give me a break, a bid a year and a half ago? Something else is in operation here. I stand with Bob. Thanks.

[snort]

Has anyone figured out the ideal outboard for the Searunner 31? Just wondering what you're all using.
I see on Jim Brown's spec guide, he lists 25 hp as the max for the 31. Going from memory here, so correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks in advance!

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by Cadence

What on earth is a sexist swindler?

DJT

[Jimske]

Originally Posted by snort

Has anyone figured out the ideal outboard for the Searunner 31? Just wondering what you're all using.
I see on Jim Brown's spec guide, he lists 25 hp as the max for the 31. Going from memory here, so correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks in advance!

Jim Brown has a 9.9 on his, as do I. Lateral lift. A friend has a 20hp carried on the stern. He tells me it does just a little better than his previous 9.9.

IMO the 9.9 is fine for the 31. Will a higher hp help you out more in rough conditions when you're going to be sailing anyway? Maybe. In normal conditions my 9.9 will push me a long at 5 knots easily and more in flat calm conditions.

J

[snort]

Originally Posted by Jimske

Jim Brown has a 9.9 on his, as do I. Lateral lift. A friend has a 20hp carried on the stern. He tells me it does just a little better than his previous 9.9.

IMO the 9.9 is fine for the 31. Will a higher hp help you out more in rough conditions when you're going to be sailing anyway? Maybe. In normal conditions my 9.9 will push me a long at 5 knots easily and more in flat calm conditions.

J

Thanks! Jimske.
That's good info to know!

[blewett_john]

Originally Posted by snort

Has anyone figured out the ideal outboard for the Searunner 31? Just wondering what you're all using.
I see on Jim Brown's spec guide, he lists 25 hp as the max for the 31. Going from memory here, so correct me if I'm wrong.
Thanks in advance!

My 28 hp Volvo Model 2003 diesel on my Searunner 37 died so I installed two 15hp outboards. They are located amidships, not on a float but on outboard brackets. I have also installed dual steering stations so each station has a control for the each engine, i.e. the port steering station controls the port engine, the starboard steering station controls the starboard engine.

I haven't launched the boat yet so I don't know how well the system will work, but I am confident it will work fine. I like outboards because they are simple and easy to work on. Both of mine are two-strokes, a 1979 manual start and a 1982 electric start.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by snort

Thanks! Jimske.
That's good info to know!

I put a Honda 15 four stroke long leg on a SR31. Mounted on the stern and got 7.5 kns at .75 gph. at about 3/4 throttle The only problem was low speed steerage with no prop wash on the rudder. Bought an outboard cable to tie to the cable steering problem solved. I believe 7.5 is hull speed under power. I could get 8 but I'm sure it was fuel consuming. MHO

[snort]

Originally Posted by Cadence

I put a Honda 15 four stroke long leg on a SR31. Mounted on the stern and got 7.5 kns at .75 gph. at about 3/4 throttle The only problem was low speed steerage with no prop wash on the rudder. Bought an outboard cable to tie to the cable steering problem solved. I believe 7.5 is hull speed under power. I could get 8 but I'm sure it was fuel consuming. MHO

Do you think I'd need a 20" shaft or would the 15" shaft be sufficient to prevent cavitation?
The motor mount slide goes most of the way down the stern (guessing a few inches above waterline.

I like the idea of the twin outboards sort of midships! Innovative idea!

[Boatguy30]

John-

That certainly is a different approach! SR 40 Jade did a 3,000 mile Caribbean circuit last winter with a 2 Y/o 9.9 (4 stroke)hp transom hung outboard and whip staff steering!

2 stroke is useful as a backup engine but 4 is WAY better for main propulsion and quiet efficiency.

Run a Yamaha 8 and 5 hp 2 stroke on my 11,000 lb 34 cat.

[Boatguy30]

That is they had a 2y/o daughter and somewhat older outboard!

[Boatguy30]

original owner/builder of Jade told me he was working on a sawmill in Oregon in the 70s when he build the 40. Supposedly he hand selected the logs made into his plywood.

Boat has still had plenty of rot issues.

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by snort

Do you think I'd need a 20" shaft or would the 15" shaft be sufficient to prevent cavitation?
The motor mount slide goes most of the way down the stern (guessing a few inches above waterline.

I like the idea of the twin outboards sort of midships! Innovative idea!

I liked the 25" I think. The longest Honda made with the 15HP four stroke. I think they made it as a sail drive. I would not even consider a 15" leg. JMHO

[Cavalier MK2]

I agree on the 25" depth, a Searunner transom moves around a fair bit. I also think the motor to use is a Yamaha hi thrust. The 9.9 would be the biggest you'd need, if they make a 8 it would be plenty.

We use a single 9.9 on the 37' Vagabond and it will push through substantial wind and seas. Ours is on the transom and doesn't start hopping till we are pushing into closely spaced 4'+ vertical chop. The Nicol carries its beam and a flat run further aft than a Searunner though, if I was powering a 31 I'd put a sled like Jim's on. We can get 7 knots out of ours and cruise close to 6 using 5/8s gallon an hour, improving if we cruse just over 5 knots.

[md7a]

Cavalier speaks my mind. My 31 came with a Yamaha but now has a Honda 9.9 long shaft modified to 15hp. The extra power definitely helps in a chop, but the Honda is sensitive to water through the case, and as mentioned above the stern of the 31 moves around a lot. Jim's design for a sled is on my list of improvements. Overall, a smaller lighter motor with some protection from seas is probably better than a heavy 25 on the stern. I have also considered an electric sail drive, and like the looks of the Lehr 15 propane motor.

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