This 1980 Cape Dory 36 was brought to us to assist the owner refitting the boat for offshore passage making. The extensive job list includes wheel to tiller conversion, diesel engine removal with added tilt-up outboard well with electric outboard motor propulsion, reducing the number of seacocks and electric pumps, adding a dry toilet, improved ground tackle, new plumbing, electrics, sails, rigging and much more.

Regarding the outboard well modification which will be shown in a future episode: this design has been proven during over 20 years of design improvements and ocean crossings on many boats in the 28-32' range. The old diesel on this boat had to be rebuilt or replaced. The owner was initially inclined to sail engineless with just a sculling oar for the challenge and pleasure of the sport as well as the practicalities of becoming a better sailor, and not wanting the problems associated with a space-wasting, foul smelling, expensive diesel. He wanted to reduce potentially boat-sinking below waterline holes, including prop shaft and water intake, to have better access and storage to the interior, without risk of an inaccessible fouled prop or the drag associated with it under sail. He eventually decided on a compromise between diesel and sculling oar.

My outboard well design will accommodate either a a 9.8hp gas Tohatsu SailPro or a 6kw ePropulsion Navy EVO 6.0 (supposedly 10hp equivalent) electric outboard with regeneration feature to recharge the 48v battery under sail. Our goal is to have an enclosed outboard motor installation that tilts up for drag-free and snag-free sailing, that will propel the boat at least 5 knots in calm water, and that has some ability to motor at lesser speed into moderate wind or light chop. If you need more performance then that then this is not right for you. My experience tells me there is no problem to acheive this with a 9.8hp gas motor. It should be the same result for the 6kw electric motor but will have to await sea trials to confirm. The gas motor is available as backup to the vulnerable electronics of the electric motor as well as a way to increase range if he decides to make a long inland cruise or transit the Panama Canal. While this is something of an experiment to see how well this sailor's skills and needs on such a large boat will match the limited propulsion available, this is going to be a huge improvement over a sculling oar no matter that it falls short of diesel performance. In any case, a larger gas motor would not fit in the lazarette space available.

More info on my tilt-up outboard motor well and it's suitability for various boats is given in the following article: [ Ссылка ]

We can be reached at atomvoyages.com or if you have a classic sailboat and want to share your experiences or have questions on fitting out, consider joining the Plastic Classic Forum at [ Ссылка ]
I'm a moderator on the forum and answer questions there.

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