Outboard Permanence

Discussion in 'Outboards' started by Capt Ronrico, Jun 29, 2018.

  1. Capt Ronrico
    Joined: Oct 2015
    Posts: 14
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    Location: Pelican Bay

    Capt Ronrico Junior Member

    I have been thimking of putting a 25-35 hp outboard in a well or enclosure for a sailboat. But space would be at a premium - so perhaps locating the engine in a permanently upright orientation, thus omitting the ability of tilting the o/b, could be a possibility. This means leaving the prop and lower end submerged permanently, I wonder if this is really any more destructive than the prop & shaft from an inboard which lives its entire working life submerged. I assume proper zincing and regular maintenance of course. Basically it's a sort of poor man's sail drive. Any ideas?
     
  2. Mr Efficiency
    Joined: Oct 2010
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    Location: Australia

    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    It is not hard to contrive a system where a relatively light engine can be raised manually, without tilting. Leaving it in the water is a less attractive idea, imo.
     
  3. philSweet
    Joined: May 2008
    Posts: 2,682
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    Location: Beaufort, SC and H'ville, NC

    philSweet Senior Member

    I gave mine a once-over once a year in the Florida Keys. New impeller, new lower unit anti-foul paint, and back in the well. The motor was about fifteen years old when I sold the boat, and it continued to run for several years after that. I wouldn't worry too much about the motor. But you do want to make sure you don't have any stray current on your boat exiting via the OB leg. We had a lovely new go-fast near us with triple 300's that sat on a lift, but the motors were left down and the owner used a normal car battery charger to float the batteries. After 1 month, you could pass a pool cue right through all three lower units.
     
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