Well, then let me be the first cruiser to disagree with you <grin>
An engine is important, but an outboard is enough. I agree with the easy to deploy; so I am not too comfortable with the "sled" concept that Rob has been discussing, but an outboard that just drops down and starts (electric start) is enough for me!
I brought a maine cat 30 from Maine to the Bahamas down the intracoastal. 2 outboards, which was nice for docking, but I only ever ran one at a time. Motoring at 4-5 knots is fine because I only want to do it when the wind is non-existant or directly in front and not too strong.
Back when I had a diesel in my monohull, I had the opposite problem. Diesel died on the way into a lock and I had to madly raise sail and sail into the lock. Exciting! And more rewarding than the reverse <grin>
Give me a boat that is always faster under sail than power and I will be happy. Since I can't do that, just give me enough power that I don't have to paddle the thing.
- Gardner
On Wed, Jun 3, 2015 at 12:04 PM, taladorwood@yahoo.com.au [harryproa] <harryproa@yahoogroups.com.au> wrote:
For me, the most important things on a 'cruiser' are the engine, autopilot and anchoring system, in no particular order.
I have discussed this with fellow cruisers and haven't found anyone that disagrees. This is why power boats are so popular, there is nothing like turning a key and letting the engine and autopilot take over. It is like having extra crew anytime they are needed. It can make dangerous, life threatening events totally unremarkable. It is why all the cruising boats have them and why most have done away with sails.So the biggie is the engine/s, the autopilot and anchor are easy enough to do on the HP. The engine needs to be quick and easy to use, so that in the middle of the night, when all hell is breaking loose, it is as easy as turning a switch and getting everything working and going. I can't stress that enough.....I know that an engine kind of goes against the grain of the proa concept, but until we figure out how to seamlessly incorporate it in, no one is going to be interested in a 'cruising' proa.The problem is the 'prop'. Should they stay in or out of the water? Should it be directional? Where should the prop/s be?To me the prop should be retractable and directional and have enough power to move the boat at 8 knots for several hours in any kind of conditions.We solve this and the HP will blow all the other boats out of the water.Talador
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Posted by: Gardner Pomper <gardner@networknow.org>
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