For my 21 foot sailboat I currently have a 1979 Penta Vovlo 3.5 or 4 HP 2 stroke outboard. It has a number of problems but the one that is most frustrating too me is that I have trouble starting it. Others who have gone sailing with me do not have trouble starting it. It is the pulling of the cord that gives me problems.
I would prefer to find a different outboard. So here are some questions I have.
Are some outboards easier to start than others? For example is a 4 stroke outboard easier to start than a 2 stroke?
I have tried to find a 4 to 6 HP electric start outboard but searches don't turn up anything. Are there any 4 to 6 HP electric start outboards? The lowest HP I think I have found or heard of with electric start is 8 or 9 HP.
If I decided to get a 9 HP electric start outboard for my 21 foot aquarius what would be the problems I would face? Would the stern be too low in the water due to the weight? At its lowest speed setting would the 9 HP run at 6 HP. One of my main worries besides it being too heavy would be that it is simply too powerful and I could not run it at a slow enough speed for leaving and returning to dock. If I don't use it for docking would the sailboat move fine with the 9 HP outboard?
Another thing I have considered is just getting an electric motor. That would probably be fine if I only use it for docking but if I am unfortunate enough to be in a storm or with no wind and need it then I would be worried it simply wouldn't last more than 30 minutes to an hour on a fully charged battery.
A cheap option I have considered is getting 2 $100 trolling motors and connect them and use that for docking until I can get something better? I suspect though that such a setup would only work in calm water.
For now, I simply don't rely on the outboard and have 4 paddles on board and have learned to hold the tiller with my legs while paddling if going out alone.
I would prefer to find a different outboard. So here are some questions I have.
Are some outboards easier to start than others? For example is a 4 stroke outboard easier to start than a 2 stroke?
I have tried to find a 4 to 6 HP electric start outboard but searches don't turn up anything. Are there any 4 to 6 HP electric start outboards? The lowest HP I think I have found or heard of with electric start is 8 or 9 HP.
If I decided to get a 9 HP electric start outboard for my 21 foot aquarius what would be the problems I would face? Would the stern be too low in the water due to the weight? At its lowest speed setting would the 9 HP run at 6 HP. One of my main worries besides it being too heavy would be that it is simply too powerful and I could not run it at a slow enough speed for leaving and returning to dock. If I don't use it for docking would the sailboat move fine with the 9 HP outboard?
Another thing I have considered is just getting an electric motor. That would probably be fine if I only use it for docking but if I am unfortunate enough to be in a storm or with no wind and need it then I would be worried it simply wouldn't last more than 30 minutes to an hour on a fully charged battery.
A cheap option I have considered is getting 2 $100 trolling motors and connect them and use that for docking until I can get something better? I suspect though that such a setup would only work in calm water.
For now, I simply don't rely on the outboard and have 4 paddles on board and have learned to hold the tiller with my legs while paddling if going out alone.