Converting Saildrive to Outboard-any advice?

[windseaker]

I have a 26 ft Nash with 10 hp diesel saildrive, and wheel steering. The engine is beyond repair at this point, and I am considering alternatives. Has anyone converted similarly to outboard? and how can I make this work? if at all.

thank you

Grayl

[sailingdog]

This is possible... but will have several consequences.

First, moving the aux from an internal diesel to a transom mounted outboard will shift a lot of weight aft... since you'll probably be removing the inboard engine and saildrive and glassing over the saildrive opening and removing and glassing over any now unnecessary through-hulls. It will give you a good deal more interior space though.

Second, your battery charging options will be far more limited, since most 10 HP outboards aren't going to provide much in the way of alternator power.

Third, the outboard will be far more likely to ventilate, cavitate or otherwise not work in heavy seas, unless you take precautions to prevent that from happening.

[tsweeney]

I just thought I'd throw this otu there for interest. There's an outboard powered saildrive available, the saildrive 280. Pretty pricey though compared to a straight outboard + bracket approach.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/32176-saildrive-280-w-honda-engine.html

[sailingdog]

The website that is linked to on that thread is no longer working, and the company may not even exist any longer.

Originally Posted by tsweeney

I just thought I'd throw this otu there for interest. There's an outboard powered saildrive available, the saildrive 280. Pretty pricey though compared to a straight outboard + bracket approach.

http://www.sailnet.com/forums/gear-maintenance/32176-saildrive-280-w-honda-engine.html

[timebandit]

Is the leg and the motor shot?

Most motors are repairable.

[DwayneSpeer]

I repowered with a Beta (Beta Marine US Ltd. Distributors for Kubota based marine) a few years back and couldn't be happier. Perhaps you should look into that before taking on the extreme work you are proposing.

[Faster]

If it's an old OMC saildrive you're having trouble with, they are notorious for being troublesome, and there are many many boats sailing around with outboards on the transom that originally came with these things installed.

I suspect that a good many of them have outboards on the transom and continue to drag the original saildrive leg around rather than go to the bother of removal and reglassing.

While replacing with another diesel powered saildrive setup would be ideal, even then there'd be some hull work required and the cost would spiral upward in a hurry.. possibly to beyond what the boat's worth... doubtless why most go the outboard route.

If you do go the outboard route, do it right; get a long shaft, a good mount that is easy to use/access, be sure you can run the gear and throttle conveniently from the cockpit. Also check into whether you need to reinforce the transom area where you plan to mount the bracket.. lots of intertia here with a heavyish motor slamming up and down in a seaway. And, as SD suggests, ideally remove and reglass the original installation to get rid of weight and drag.

[windseaker]

Just want to say thanks to all those who replied with thoughts and suggestions. You folks are a great resource for sure!. I have a lot of pondering and more fact finding to do. Geeze... I wish it was easier to get launched this spring!

thanks again

Grayl

[pgiann]

Hi: I have a Yamaha 9.5 sail drive o/b last two years to replace my OMC, on a Catalina 30 which still leaks oil, and have never had any trouble with it. Totally reliable and a gas miser, but you do have to deal with a portable tank. Also, no more fumes in the cabin. The OMC has antiquated linkage and tends to stall at the worst possible time - entering or leaving your slip.