[Public-list] another outboard discussion

[Jim Davis]

At the risk of being called old fashioned, or worse, just a couple observations.

This year I have used my inflatable with a six horse four stroke to tow two boats.  One was a Cape Dory 33 in absolutely flat water.  After about five minutes we were able to hit a top speed of three knots.  the engine was running at about 3/4 throttle, any more and it cavitated like hell.  The other was an A30 near Annapolis Harbor.  Here I got about the same speed, but if the outboard had been mounted on the side of the Alberg it would have died within a short time.  Because of the wakes the Alberg was rolling both rails to the water.  A side mounted outboard would have drowned, if it didn't blow up first.  This wasn't a wind generated situation - it was traffic.

Conclusion  If you don't mind going slow and can keep the boat from rolling the motor into, or out of, the water.........  It is a long way home from St. Michaels to Annapolis when there is no wind.

Jim Davis
S/V Isa Lei
CT 35


Democracy is when two wolves and a sheep meet to decide what to have for dinner. Liberty is when the sheep has a gun.

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