MacGregorSailors.com

I vote, leave the motors as they are as I doubt it would be worth the hassle to change them....

As to not being happy until you have the big motor. I must admit, I was very excited when I got this boat, in having a sailboat that I could make go fast over my last one which rarely went past 6 knots. The first coupla times I went out under power, I fanged around at her whopping top speed(using crazy amounts of fuel...) of about 14 or 15 knots,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and since then I am back to my cruising about everywhere at a relaxing 6 knots (sometimes up to 8 knots if I'm in a rush!) I find the greatest part of having a big motor is that when I'm cruising at 6 knots, I can comfortably have a conversation or listen to the radio in the cockpit where as with a screaming at WOT small outboard like other trailer sailers have, the noise is annoying and any journy of lengh is a real pain!

Honestly, I wouldnt get too hung up on the motor for a while, just enjoy the boat for a season or two and forget about it. As was said, you have a pretty blank canvas there and you might find there are things you want to buy. A wise man once told me that when you buy a boat you should factor in 10 percent more on the purchase price in presents that you will buy for the boat very soon after.... I have learnt that he was being a bit conservative with the 10 percent figure...

GaryMayo wrote:Is there a chance I cannot dump the ballast with a 8HP engine? So I have to exit the lake via trailer to dump ballast?

I believe the manual sez you must reach 8 mph to dump the ballast. Also, the has alot of windage and the small prop on the 8 will not give much control docking/trailer loading in windy conditions--reverse is almost non existent.

You will need some sort of charging device on the boat as the 8 does not have the amps to charge the battery.

Bob

Lets make a list:

Won't dock in the wind

Reverse is pretty much absent without leave

Dont power onto a trailer

Wont, or barely dump ballast

Will not charge the battery that starts the engine


So what everyone is telling me, in a friendly way,
is I asked a girl out to the dance, that does not, has not, could not, will not, and never not.

So while the rest of you are dating the pastors daughters in open convertibles, atop lovers lane, I am dating Jesus in Seminary.

Amen.

bscott wrote:

GaryMayo wrote:Is there a chance I cannot dump the ballast with a 8HP engine? So I have to exit the lake via trailer to dump ballast?

I believe the manual sez you must reach 8 mph to dump the ballast. Also, the has alot of windage and the small prop on the 8 will not give much control docking/trailer loading in windy conditions--reverse is almost non existent.

You will need some sort of charging device on the boat as the 8 does not have the amps to charge the battery.

Bob

You can certainly dump ballast with a 12v inflator attached to the vent hole. Much cheaper than a large engine.

Can't remember the last time I dumped the ballast on the water, have dumped it when beached but once it's in it stays in usually, at the speeds you are talking about don't believe you will notice in or out except with acceleration but try first , crikey don't panic it'll be great, just enjoy and then make a decision.
I have dumped during a trip but only when I need to use the speed to get out quick, even when it's gusty it pays to have the ballast in.

8 HP will dock you fine in any wind you would care to sail on

I never drop ballast at sea, always on land

You wont even need a starter battery with an 8 HP but you could 100 Watts power off it if needed

And you shouldnt ever power onto the trailer with ANY engine - its actually illegal in many states

,...and I do have a convertible and an Admiral who enjoys the midnight submarine races

Stick with the 8 HP for a season

Catigale wrote:
And you shouldnt ever power onto the trailer with ANY engine - its actually illegal in many states

can you pls explain this? (digging the lake up with prop wash?)

'float-on' is made on this concept... first time I ever heard its illegal... or even considered bad.

IMHO, done right, its fine, but wrong, it can put debris in the waterjacket, and scratch the hull, or your truck.. if too fast.

-ps: anyone have a link to a hard wired 12v inflator connected to the ballast?

(I've been looking thru the mods, but is a vast sea and I'm without a chart...)

I don't know how I'd get my onto it's trailer if I couldn't power it on, at least at the ramp I use in the Erie Canal. Here's a pic of it in the off-season, when the water is down. The trailer wheels are just about on the steeper part of the ramp when it's at the right depth to get the boat into the vee-block, which puts the goalposts somewhere around the wooden strip at the water line in this pic. Oh, and there's a pretty good current in the canal, so the boat is drifting away from the camera in this pic. It's not fun.

Someone posted a great GIF on this here, will try to find

Google

Do not power load your boat

On YouTube......

mastreb wrote: You can certainly dump ballast with a 12v inflator attached to the vent hole. Much cheaper than a large engine.

I recall reading lots of speculation (in prior years) about emptying ballast with an "inflator" but don't recall anyone ever reporting success. Even with the transom valve closed by about 80 percent (??), I'd guess that air would begin escaping that gate valve when the ballast tank was about two-thirds air, but still one-third ballast.

One might improve the air-pumping performance by slipping a hose or sewer cap over the transom valve to force below the water line, and guarantee that air has fully evacuated the ballast ... hmmm.

Trust your gut. You really don't ever want that ballast tank partially full (beyond a meager, few gallons). At speed, the larger outboards will lift the transom valve clear of the water to truly empty the tank. Otherwise, you're better off with a full ballast tank.

Welcome back frank nice to see ur comments

J


Thx John.

FWIW, after reflecting a day or so, I bet there's an easy solution to using an inflator to completely evacuate the ballast water. Get a 90-degree elbow that matches the diameter of the transom valve. When the elbow is slipped onto the gate valve and pointed down below the water's surface, the elbow will force air to totally empty the ballast tank before any air excapes.

Highlander wrote:Welcome back frank nice to see ur comments

J


Thx John.

X 2

Bob