GL: Outboard for Loop

[Robert Endicott JR..]

Larry,
  Maybe I can help.  Last year, four of us did the loop in sailboats from
23 to 27 feet, three of them outboard-powered (the 27 had a small
diesel).  The other three were our Jeanneau Tonic 23, a Catalina 25 and
a Snapdragon 26 (a twin-keel Brit beast similar to the Westerly and
almost certainly heavier).  All three of us had Tohatsu 9.8hp
4-strokes.  They performed well, though headway was typically reduced
when pounding to weather on power alone.  The motors didn't complain,
though.  Our boat, being the lightest, got the best economy.  We used
449 gallons of gasoline on our 6,029-mile loop.  We changed oil every
100 hours (less than a quart) and never used any between changes.  We
put a little over 1200 hours on the engine.  Ours had maybe 200+ on it
when we started the trip.  It still runs like new.  My motor (a
short-shaft) came with an 8.5 pitch prop.  I swapped for a 6.5, not
because it made a big difference under way, but to make maneuvering in
close quarters easier.  The Westerly may respond differently, but I
would recommend a spare prop of a different pitch anyway.  Use the best
and keep the other for a spare.  I'd be glad to share additional
observations with you or your relative.
  In the unsolicited info department, I'll also share that in addition to
paper charts,we used the Maptech U.S. Boating Charts DVD ($50 from
Maptech, possibly cheaper from other sources).  This comes with
Offshore Navigator Light.  That disc did not include the Canadian
charts, but a friend let us copy his .BSB's for Canada, and once I
dropped them in the same folder on the laptop with the others, they
connected seamlessly.  That only left us lacking electronic charts for
the Tenn-Tom and that was really a breeze with the COE charts.  We used
a Garmin GPSMAP76 with a Garmin 48 for a backup (both are "handhelds").
 I would plot the next-days route on the laptop, load it to the MAP76
via data cable and "drive the highway" (following along with our paper
charts).  If necessary, under way, I could connect the 48 to the laptop
and use it for a chartplotter.  I was only inclined to do this a couple
of times (generally unnecessary).  The couple of times I went astray
were very much MY fault... not the equipment.  All four of us were
similarly equipped, navigation-wise.
  We all also had tiller-pilots.  Two of us had the Simrad TP-22 which
comes with a wired remote.  Less than $500 and worth every penny.  I
wouldn't do the trip without it.
  Finally, three of us carried Honda ECU2000i portable generators.  Quiet
and absolutely perfect for the purpose.  They can be found on the
internet for around $900.
  I've noted from your previous posts that we're of a similar mind in
that you don't have to "sell the farm" to do this trip AND enjoy it. 
Hope your relatives have as much fun as we did.  Don't hesitate to
contact us if we can be of help.  For a log of the trip and pictures of
all the boats, see:  http://pogopelli.blogspot.com
(I'm still trying to finish posting the trip ;^)

Bob Endicott
S/V Pogopelli
ate-fyve-oh-tree-six-ate-for-too-fyve-neyen (apologies for the lame
cryptology)
PS  We're about to embark on a 7.000-mile "land-loop" with our travel
trailer, but are already looking forward to taking Pogo south to spend
next winter cruising between Ft. Myers and the Keys.

> Date: Fri, 7 Mar 2008 14:27:18 EST
> From: LRZeitlin at aol.com
> Subject: Re: GL: Outboard for Loop
> To: great-loop at lists.samurai.com
> Message-ID: <d49.239b20e2.3502f116 at aol.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Can any Loopers who have done the Loop in an outboard powered boat give
> me
> some advice?
>
> I have describe how in the past I did most of the Loop in a 23' sailboat
> powered with a Volvo MB10 inboard engine. But that was nearly 20 years
> ago when
> the Loop was just a baby. One of my relatives wants to borrow the boat
> for an
> extended Loop trip. Despite having been sitting on a trailer in my
> driveway for
> the last 12 years, the boat is still in good condition but the engine
> badly
> needs an overhaul. I could always coax it into running properly but my
> nephew is
> mechanically challenged.
>
> He is willing to buy an outboard, which he does understand, for the trip.
> The
> mount is already on the boat. In fact, if I pull the engine, there will
> be a
> lot of extra storage space. What I need is a recommendation for an
> appropriate
> outboard.
>
> Here are the details. The sailboat is a very sturdy Westerly Nomad, 23'
> twin
> keel, 4000 lb displacement, with adequate standing headroom, a head with
> a
> LectraSan, and a 2 burner propane stove. It sleeps 4, 2 adults and 2
> children. He
> will make the trip just with his wife. The deck mounted mast lowers
> easily
> and can be carried on supports. When we got the boat in 1965, it came
> with a 6
> hp Evinrude 2 cycle. The engine worked adequately for day sailing but did
> not
> have enough poop to push the boat against a strong headwind - hence the
> installation of the inboard.
>
> What engine should he get? How much power? Regular or hi thrust? Ease of
> service? Etc., etc.   Any advice will help.
>
> Larry Z