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Atomic 4 issues
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Hi Ned,
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There was just some discussion on the Cal Sailing list of electric outboards. That might be a thought. Main downside seems to be range, which is not an issue if you're just pushing into and out of the slip. My Kubota diesel, with a fair amount of maintenance, has been reliable so far, but I try to have backups for things so there's a long shaft 55 thrust-pound Minn Kota stuffed in the starboard cockpit locker. That does move the boat, and being able to swivel it to steer is handy. This is more in the $200 range than the $2000 range. It has its own single 12 volt battery that also runs a backup bilge pump. I'd love to be able to pop it on to get in and out of the slip and keep it stowed otherwise, and not have any other motor but I'm not that confident right now. An outboard isn't a great fashion statement but my two cents is if you aren't going to do whatever is needed to make the inboard happy, go for the outboard and save grief and money. Or if you want to keep an inboard that's not completely reliable and just have a backup to possibly have to limp in when its calm, a simple, cheap trolling motor can work. Higher end, people here are having good luck with Torqeedo outboards. That and start at about $3,000. The club has a bunch of gas powered outboards and they're unreliable at best and only as reliable as they are because they constantly get run and get fresh gas, and people get trained on dealing with them. It seems like around 9.9HP or so, companies try to make them at least a bit reliable, but below that, it's like a lawnmower with a propeller. I'm not sure I'd trade the diesel inboard for a gas outboard because that seems like trading one set of maintenance problems for another. One other person who has posted on here has gone electric inboard, had good thing sto say about it, and I'm thinking about that too. Last time I was hauled out in a DIY yard, someone there had a Westsail they were refitting including installing a electric, and it sounds like it's served them well. It's a lot fewer potential points of a failure and a lot less expensive than a new diesel, but then HP and range each come at a premium, which could be a good trade off if you're just pushing in and out. I can definitely relate to wanting to do less work on things and more sailing. Good luck! -scott On 6/24/22, Ned Wood <nwood@...> wrote:
This is my 2nd summer with Rocinante #760. Sadly, I've spent many weeks |
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When my A4 reaches the point where it is not worth fixing, I will probably install an electric inboard. The big cost with electric propulsion is the battery system. But all I need is enough range to get in and out of the slip. It doesn't take much battery power to move a T27 in and out of the marina in a no wake zone. It takes a lot of power to get up to hull speed. It takes a lot less to go a knot or two. Using a diesel just to get in and out of the marina is a diesel engine's worst nightmare -- because it never gets up to operating temp. If there is no wind -- then I don't know why I'd leave the slip in the first place :p If the wind dies while I am out sailing about -- then I guess I'll just have to wait it out. I'd rather spend a night sleeping on the water now and then than spend a couple weeks and lots of $$ on engine repairs all the time. I've sailed a lot on Colgate 26s with outboard motors. They are flakey, tend to clunk around on the motor mount a lot, and look ugly. But it gets the job done. It does mean less drag -- plus you can glass over some holes in the boat and reduce your chances of sinking due to a failed seacock. If I definitely wanted to be able to motor a significant distance -- then I would install a diesel. But.. I really don't want to install a diesel. On Fri, Jun 24, 2022 at 12:27 PM Ned Wood <nwood@...> wrote: This is my 2nd summer with Rocinante #760. Sadly, I've spent many weeks unable to sail because of issues with my Atomic 4. When this engine runs, it purrs and provides excellent power. But too often it refuses to behave as it should. My latest predicament is that it is stuck in forward gear- no neutral, no reverse. My mechanic, who is very knowledgeable of Atomic 4's (especially mine) is puzzled, and we have been speaking with Moyer Marine to try to understand the issue. |
¿ªÔÆÌåÓýJeremy,I made a custom stainless offset and used a motor mount and can put on a nice Honda 9.9 extra long shaft that places the prop at the same depth as the inboard prop. ?Works well. ?Not particularly attractive but very functional? Steve Bufe
Wolfington body company
Cell 610.308.5657
On Jun 24, 2022, at 3:48 PM, jeremy@... wrote:
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Thanks Scott-
Your ideas are really helpful, and I've spent the afternoon looking at the 2 websites you mentioned. Electric makes the most sense for my needs, and now I just need to explore the details, whether inboard or outboard. I'll post what I finally decide to do, but thanks for your suggestions. |
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