Repower options

VIC26 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

I have a boat (26') originally fitted with an OMC saildrive which was removed and hung with an outboard that was sold by the previous owner. Is a saildrive necessary or can it be refitted with a shaft and more conventional set up. Just don't want an outboard hanging out there. I'm not sure what structural considerations I need to consider. Just a novice so let's not get crazy with details, Thanks

JimsCAL · #2 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

Fitting a standard inboard installation into a 26 ft boat is going to be major undertaking. Engine beds, stuffing box, strut bearing, etc. Cost is going to be over $10k, even if you do a lot of the work yourself. I would stick with the outboard.

Faster · #3 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

Jim's right... starting over with a conventional shaft/strut installation is a huge undertaking.

I completely understand your desire to get rid of the outboard hanging off the back, but it's very likely that the costs involved here will far outweigh the value of the boat, even after the repower.

Another tack to take may be to find a good used diesel saildrive and retrofit that into the existing hole.

VIC26 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

Thanks for the input. I must admit that I was really thinking about electric but I currently don't have a prop shaft to transfer the power to. I'm just a l lake sailer and this topic tends to turn into a pissing match between experts that offers very little info unless your trying to reinvent the wheel. For what it's worth this boat came equiped with a conventional diesel as well as the OMC in the same space (Victoria 26,only a few made).

Faster · #5 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by VIC26

Thanks for the input. ....For what it's worth this boat came equiped with a conventional diesel as well as the OMC in the same space (Victoria 26,only a few made).

By this I assume you mean there were two options, right? not both?

Not familiar with this design, is it a Morris boat?

VIC26 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-19-2009

This is a larger version of the Mcvay designed Victoria 18. Yes it was produced with either, not both. There were only 25 +/- made. Mine had an OMC. Others had a BMW (?) with a prop shaft. Not a lot of info on the 26 but there is a review on this site under V. I was lookin gat an 18 and ran across this one.

plethora68 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010

It sounds like you want to set up an inboard solution. Has anyone thought of using a liquid cooled Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine gear reduced to prop shaft? I cannot imagine that it would cost anything like 10K. We are talking about some fiberglass, and a stuffing box and a good belt drive set-up to create a reverse. The engine could be set-up with a fan and radiator so that it could be on a closed circuit. Also, this would be at least 100 pounds lighter than a Beta or a Universal.

Just an idea

bljones · #8 (**permalink**) 01-07-2010

Prepare to get your feelings hurt.

Anybody who says " Just a novice so let's not get crazy with details" should not consider a repower, because it is ALL details. persnickety stuff like shaft angles, stringer installations, alignment. If you want to keep it simple, find a good used saildrive and install it where the saildrive was originally.

Saildrives are a much-maligned but perfectly usable propulsion system. They have their idiosyncracies, but from a lowest-cost, fewest- details standpoint, it is the only solution.

oh, and if you are going to pay someone to do it, buy another boat. It will be cheaper . So do it yourself. it isn't rocket science, and we are always here to help if you get into trouble.

electric? puh- lease.

tommays · #9 (**permalink**) 01-08-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by plethora68

It sounds like you want to set up an inboard solution. Has anyone thought of using a liquid cooled Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine gear reduced to prop shaft? I cannot imagine that it would cost anything like 10K. We are talking about some fiberglass, and a stuffing box and a good belt drive set-up to create a reverse. The engine could be set-up with a fan and radiator so that it could be on a closed circuit. Also, this would be at least 100 pounds lighter than a Beta or a Universal.

Just an idea

Well you would have some issues with everything electric on the motor NOT being ingition protected

Mechsmith · #10 (**permalink**) 01-09-2010

Just search " Saildrive". There are a lot of options there.
I use an eight hp Yamaha outboard with elec. start, charging system, and power tilt, mounted on a lifting bracket. Never had much reason to change. 29' sailboat.

There are disadvantages with any power unit.