Outboard Well

[CapnK]

I stowed my 6-4 Merc in the laz, but 'twere a royal pain to put in/take out while underway even on flat water, without smashing meaty body parts between hard boat/motor parts in the process. Always wanted to try one of the folding Garhauer cranes to make it easier. Thinking now that a smaller - and thus significantly lighter - engine might be the way to go, while understanding that it would mean forgetting schedules. But that's the idea, the dream.

[ebb]

( Our Great Mover and Shaker may want to mover this. BUT, may I
point out, we aren't talking ABOUT outboards, but their bulk and
oddness. This is more about where the well is in relation to other
important in-use boat real-estate.)





ON MOVING THE PORTABLE AUXILARY FROM ITS RIGHTFUL DOMAIN

TO ANOTHER SECTION OF THE VESSEL...…………..{Ses.IIbTx w - 750}


Kurt, the removal of a 57lb 6-4 Merc* from the well to the cabin sole

inside the Ariel ( I have observed this a number of times, but years

ago when we were younger and stronger) : IT TAKES THREE ADULTS

TO ACCOMPLISH and includes retrieving the OBmotor back out of the

cabin, returning it to the lazaret, positioned on its correct storage side

while away from the boat. It also requires the well plug to be installed.


In my experience it takes THREE STALWART SAILORS: One to unscrew

the clamps, lift the outboard up & out of the lararet, and rest it on the

cockpit deck -- we do this while the second sailor is in the way manning

the tiller -- the third sailor, usually the Captain, is wedged in the C'way

ready to receive the motor, which is somewhat difficult because it is hot

and wet, and the companionway steps are in the way, steps are where

the pointy bottom of the shaft rests at least once on its way down into

the accommodation.. And on its way back up..


This description does not include the number of practice runs it takes

to become proficient in this on-the-water OB motor ballet. We became

experts, bodyparts and varnishwork excluded. Nor how the motor was

secured to the cabin sole when the Ariel was jumping around racing.

………………………………..Those were the days!!!...……………………………….



__________________________________________________ ________
*poetic license allows me to use Kurt's rather light weight 4stroke. Can't

remember what motor we became part of on the MaiTai, probably about

the same in a two stroke.