[Public-List] Propeller and Engine

[Gordon Laco]

Hello Ryan - welcome to the fleet.

I know there are passionate advocates of the outboard conversion… but my opinion is that one must accept significant degradation of performance both sailing and motoring when one takes that drastic step.

You will lose the ability to perform tight manoeuvres under power… with the inboard you will be able to turn the boat in her own length.  You will also be able to reverse with great control, once you learn to do it.

An outboard is lighter, but it’s weight is further aft, so you will increase the already inherent tendency to hobby-horse in a chop when sailing..

If you use a standard tank for the outboard you will be faced with challenges to vent it safely.

If you put the outboard in a well where the stern lazarette is, you will ruin the run of the overhang aft which is what allows our boats to achieve the higher speeds they do under sail.  You’ll also have to deal with water jamming up into the aperture for the outboard… even if you use the tipping mount I’ve seen photos of.

With an outboard you will lose the ability to charge batteries while motoring at a useful rate.  Some outboards can be fitted with charging coils, but those are pretty discrete compared even with the standard factory mounted alternator.

I’ve had heavy keel boats with both inboard and outboard… my opinion is that one may rationalize the outboard to make it acceptable… but an inboard is superior.

The Atomic IV is pretty bullet proof once you get it running… smooth, quiet, loads of power, a good shipmate.

Gordon Laco
#426 Surprise




> On Jul 30, 2019, at 6:12 PM, Ryan via Public-List <public-list at lists.alberg30.org> wrote:
> 
> Hello everyone! I recently bought 555 and I’ve been trying to bring her up
> to scratch after a lot of deferred maintenance. I’ve gotten by on outside
> research for the most part but could use some advice from all your
> expertise.
> 
> 
> 
> I have a couple questions regarding the propeller and atomic 4 engine, both
> original as far as I know.
> 
> When I hauled her out the propeller looked OK but had no ring when tapped
> with a hammer (probably Galvanic corrosion because there were no zincs on
> it?). I’m wondering if I need to replace it immediately or if I can get by
> with adding zincs to hold off corrosion. Also, I know it is controversial
> but I’ve been considering replacing the inboard with an outboard in the
> lazarette similar to what James Baldwin did on Lora so there is less to
> worry about or maintain engine-wise. The current A4 engine needs quite a
> bit of work. If I replaced it with an outboard I obviously wouldn’t want to
> replace the prop, but I’m not sure if that’s the direction I want to go. So
> I guess in 2 parts: a.) Any suggestions on if I should hurry up and replace
> the prop, and if so what props have been successful with the boat and
> Atomic 4 engine? And b.) recommendations for/against switching to an
> outboard engine ( is the inboard more desirable for re-sale without
> devaluing the hull, not worth the hassle for reduced power, poorer
> steering?)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Thank you all!
> 
> -- 
> -Ryan Kiefer
> #555
> _______________________________________________
> These businesses support your Association:
> http://www.alberg30.org/store/A30supporters.html
> Please support them.
> _______________________________________________
> Public-List mailing list
> Public-List at lists.alberg30.org
> http://lists.alberg30.org/listinfo.cgi/public-list-alberg30.org