[Rhodes22-list] More motor choice questions

[bgreenwald at optonline.net]

Bob,

I opted for a port mounted remote for my Yamaha 9.9 prcisely for the reason you mentioned.  Felt more 
intuitive for me and allows me to always keep my eyes looking ahead while maneuvering thru my mooring 
field.  I'm not sure of his motivation but Bill Effros has a similar setup for his Tohatsu and is very happy with 
it.  The only downside I have experienced is that, because of the location of the cables coming out of the 
motor and routing to the remote, the cables can interfere slightly withthe port captain's chair.  Effros' cables 
are routed differently and he does not have a similar problem.  All in all, I would opt for the same setup if I 
lhad to do it over.

Bruce Greenwald
S/V Ruach II

----- Original Message -----
From: Bob Fletcher <tfl4625 at blackfoot.net>
Date: Tuesday, August 15, 2006 7:21 pm
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] More motor choice questions

> We have a Rhodes ordered for spring delivery.  I've looked at 
> archives and followed recent threads on motor choices, but still 
> have a few questions.  Our sailing will be mostly inland NW lakes 
> but after more experience maybe Pugeot Sound and San Juans.
> 
> I'm leaning toward a Tohatsu 4-cycle 6HP with factory remote 
> control mounted on port gunwale.  The 6 HP picked for lighter (55 
> lb) weight, less cost, no need for electric start so no need for 
> second battery, (also saving cost and weight).  
> 
> I read that 4HP (or even less) will get the boat to 6 knot hull 
> speed so any extra power is to buck wind, and maybe current.  So 
> the questions:
> 
> POWER - Is 6 HP enough for my plans?  I'm a little puzzled by some 
> recent comments about needing extra power to deal with currents and 
> tides.  Isn't hull speed relative to the water you're in, 
> regardless of how fast that water is moving?  In other words, 
> against an 8 knot current won't you lose 2 knots way (motoring at 
> hull speed) unless your motor can push you significantly above hull 
> speed?  Will an 8 or 9.9 HP motor really do that?  If so, maybe 
> it's worth the extra cost and weight, especially for coastal 
> sailing, but if not, what does the extra power (and weight and 
> expense) get you? At a given speed, will the larger motor not 
> working so hard be quieter than a smaller one?
> 
> REMOTE CONTROL - I haven't seen a picture of Stan's UPP tiller 
> mounted remote, but an aftermarket "PowerTiller, " 
> (http://powertiller.net) looks a little cumbersome.  Wouldn't a 
> port gunwale mounted unit me more "intuitive," (right hand on 
> tiller, left controlling motor)?
> 
> RUDDER TO MOTOR LINK - Stans UPP offers this, and others (McGregor -
> gasp), tout it as an advantage.  My only experience was on a 
> recent sail on a Rhodes which didn't link them and I couldn't see 
> much problem with motor steering (rudder up) at low speed or 
> reverse and rudder steering (with motor pointed straight ahead) for 
> "motor cruising".  Is the linkage really a big advantage?  If so, 
> has anyone cobbled together a link other than with Stan's UPP? 
> Could it be as simple as a quick disconnect rod between the tiller 
> and the motor "handle"?
> 
> REACTIONS - Any other reactions my tentative choice or the resons 
> for it?  
> 
> No need to rehash the questions of 2 cycle vs. 4 cycle or Tohatsu 
> vs. the rest of the world - those have been recently beat to death. 
> 
> 
> Thanks for your thoughts
> 
> Bob Fletcher 
> 
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