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What would be the ideal OB motor size for a bravo
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Author:  sunjammers [ Wed Mar 18, 2009 12:49 pm ]
Post subject: 

this should work perfect
http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/products/ ... ption.html

Author:  fastcat [ Thu Mar 19, 2009 8:46 am ]
Post subject: 

Looks cool but at $1,700.00 a bit pricy. :cry:

Author:  bdg [ Tue Mar 24, 2009 5:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Bravo Outboard

Fastcat, interesting idea with replacing the rudder with a new outboard assembly directly at the pintles. That could work well for a very lightweight motor and if a change to sailing is not required.... Also, the idea of a gell battery is also sound (thus preventing sulfuric acid from leaking from the battery!) but again my personal concern would be one of sailing with this configuration on the Bravo. Where would you put the battery? What happens in the event of a flip?

Regarding the motor mounted to the pintles, would they support even a lightweight motor when flipped? I have a Honda 2hp 4-stroke (previously used with a Zodiac) which is fairly heavy for the power rating and I would not imagine putting on the Bravo due to the potential issues. I fully realize that an electric motor is smaller and lighter weight; but the battery remains a significant point of concern for me and conversion between motoring -> sailing seems challenging as does battery placement.

I suppose that the battery could be secured through the back holes for the foot straps, but this would seem to be in the way on a small deck while underway sailing..... ideally, it might be useful to mount an electric outboard to the hull between the outer hull and rudder?

Interesting discussions!!!

Author:  fastcat [ Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:40 am ]
Post subject: 

bdg, my configuration was ment to be for Motor OR sail. When out fishing with the motor/battery, I would leave the mast and rudder behind (capsizing should not be an issue). When sailing I would leave the motor/battery behind (recovering from capsizing not an issue). :wink:

Author:  bdg [ Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:52 pm ]
Post subject: 

fastcat, that certainly makes more sense! You are right that this would present much less of a problem ---- configured for either sailing OR power. Ideally, it would be just perfect to be able to do both, similar to what appears to be on the Wave (I'm not sure where a battery would store there, either) with the motor mounted on the metal crossbar between the pontoons.

I fear that is asking just a little too much for the Bravo, with the small deck and limited stern space! I'll be sticking with my paddle for now!

Author:  bdg [ Sat Aug 08, 2009 5:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What would be the ideal OB motor size for a bravo

Today, for the first time ever, I encountered great difficulties in getting off the shore. I launched at a local lake and the wind was blowing directly to the ramp. I normally paddle out far enough that I can tack out of the cove, but today the wind was just too strong for the little paddle (maybe this should have been a sign?). The wind was blowing 20km/hr (roughly 10 kts) with gusts to 30km/h (roughly 15 kts). Trying to get out far enough to safely lower the rudder, and to then pull out the sail enough to gain the momentum necessary to swing through irons to tack out of the cove proved very difficult. I purposely left the boom in the car to make the furling of the sail easier.

I was lucky that a motor boater gave me a tow for ~100' or so away from the shore or else I might have had to call it a day. After this, we enjoyed the conditions and the boat handled well (first with a partially furled sail and later on we used full sail).

Just curious - how have others been able to remedy this situation???? A non-factory approved modification for a bulky gas outboard (for only a few minutes of use) is not preferred (what happens if I were to tip?). A non-factory approved modification for an electric outboard is also not ideal, even with a sealed battery (although this would be lighter than the gasoline option!). I expect that the battery could be placed in the stern hatch, but this leaves the hatch open during the use of the electrical outboard.

Thanks!

Author:  oerterch [ Tue Aug 11, 2009 7:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What would be the ideal OB motor size for a bravo

I have to paddle down a canal ( ~300 ft.)before getting out to the open lake. Most times the wind is just to strong to paddle and I'll pull my boat down the side of the canal until I get out. Lately I tried using a small boat with a motor, tow the bravo out, throw out an anchor, jump on the Bravo and away I go. Problem with using the small boat is the additional setup takes away from the ease of the Bravo setup.

So, I'll continue to walk through the muck and slime on the side of the canal, the effort is worth it, once I get to the sailing part.

Charlie

Author:  bdg [ Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: What would be the ideal OB motor size for a bravo

The concept of walking the boat up the shore, to a point where a more controlled start is possible, is probably the best option. I was up to my waist in the water anyways - making sure that the boat and rudder (even though mostly popped-up) were safe and not impacted by the rocky bottom. The idea of adding an outboard or electric motor is not a desirable option at all - but again, I prefer not to be limited to stowing the boat after getting it set up! Once off the shore, the weather was fine and the boat performed well.

Author:  windcatcher [ Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: What would be the ideal OB motor size for a bravo

has anyone done this successfully? what type of mount did you use?

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