We got increasingly frustrated by our small petrol (gas) outboards that we use very infrequently on our dinghies and Chat 18 catamaran. Never quite knowing whether they would start, or how long they would run. Usually because the small jets would clog up, a problem aggravated by the ethanol fuel now used in the UK, USA and elsewhere. So earlier this year we bit the bullet and bought a used Torqeedo 1103 electric outboard. It was on ebay, from "one careful lady owner" - actually the advert said "only used on a fresh water trout farm" which we hoped was much the same thing. And we have been very pleased with it this summer, using it on Sagitta's tender, sometimes for long distances, yet never seeing the charge drop below 80% So we then tried using it on our Chat 18. And immediately discovered two problems, probably common to other small daysailing boats. First, the battery was much larger than the integral petrol fuel tank. So, when tilted up on the swingdown bracket, the Torqeedo hit the tillerbar. That meant we had to use the transom mount, which in turn meant the leg had to be angled back in use to clear the immersed rudder blade. Very inefficient and too close to the surface. And second, when tilted up and turned sideways the tiller control arm would detach - something that doesn't happen with a petrol outboard. So we had to remove it, and then reattach it whenever we wanted to motor. Fortunately Torqeedo has realised that many people have these problems and so supply reasonably priced, extra long cables, not just for the battery but also for the tiller arm. Accordingly we bought a 1.5m (5ft) battery cable and a 5m (16ft) tiller cable. This video shows the results of the first motor, one calm winter evening. I still have to re-route the cables through the back of the cockpit and more permanently mount the tiller arm. The deeper propellor is more efficient and there is no aeration when cornering or in waves. Top speed was very close to 5 knots, about hull speed on an 18ft boat. In reverse speed was about 3 knots. Although it's more awkward to lift the outboard leg without the battery in place it does now fit comfortably below the tillerbar when raised for sailing. So we're very happy so far! For once there is audio on this short video. But even if you turn the volume to high you won't hear the outboard - another bonus! More on the Chat 18 here https://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/designs-2/2-catamarans-under-25ft/475-chat-18-daysailing-catamaran And Torqeedo here https://nestawayboats.com/

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Whether it is right for YOUR wants/needs, solar electric boating is ready for prime time. The electric motors by ​⁠ and ​⁠ are no longer the only options. Couple that with suddenly very affordable and safe lithium iron phosphate, super cheap solar panels and ​⁠ revealing all the how to’s you need and the time truly is NOW.

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Get ready for RS Fest Miami, the first EVER major multi-class RS Sailing event in North America. The 3-day regatta is a celebration of RS Sailing fleets – hosted in tropical Miami, Florida! Racing will be held Saturday March 30th to Monday April 1st with the RS Aero, RS Tera, RS Feva, RS Venture and RS21 classes invited to join.

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⛵🇮🇹 Immergetevi nel mondo di Zaoli Sails, dove passione, innovazione e qualità si uniscono per creare vele straordinarie! Scoprite l'eccellenza della veleria italiana. 🎬 🔥 Lasciatevi trasportare dalla passione che anima ogni vela realizzata da Zaoli Sails, un'azienda che mette al centro la qualità e l'innovazione dei suoi prodotti, offrendo performance imbattibili sul mercato. 🌊 💪 Grazie all'artigianalità e all'attenzione ai dettagli, Zaoli Sails coniuga la tradizione nautica italiana con le tecnologie più avanzate, garantendo vele personalizzate e di alta qualità, realizzate interamente in Italia. 🇮🇹 📽️ Guardate il video e scoprite come Zaoli Sails crea vele uniche nel panorama nautico, unendo maestria, passione e innovazione. 🌟 👉 𝗖𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗖𝗔 𝗤𝗨𝗜 https://zaolicruising.com/ per saperne di più su Zaoli Sails e navigare verso nuovi orizzonti con vele di eccellenza italiana! Lasciatevi conquistare dalla passione per la vela e dall'innovazione made in Italy. ⛵🌅

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