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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Sailing Stars on Four Legs! #sailing #boat #shorts

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Follow Team Brunel: #teambrunel http://www.brunelsailing.net https://twitter.com/brunelsailing https://www.facebook.com/brunelsailing https://www.instagram.com/brunelsailing/ https://www.youtube.com/user/TeamBrun... A Magenta Films production http://www.magenta-films.com

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Everyone dreams of sailing into the sunset, exploring islands on Monday mornings instead of going to the office, kiteboarding in paradise... But nobody talks about the toilet clogging at 2 AM, living with a fridge smaller than a shoebox, or storms appearing out of nowhere with zero time to react. I'm planning to live full-time on a sailboat, and here's what no one tells you until it's too late. Yes, the dream is real - the freedom, exploration, living places that cost thousands to visit. But there's a reality side that sailing influencers don't show you. Before you sell everything for boat life, watch this honest breakdown of what full-time sailing actually looks like. #sailboat #liveaboard #sailing #reality #boatlife #honest #truth #storms #maintenance #freedom #exploration #dreams #fulltime #sailinglife #realitycheck" This balances the dream with the harsh realities while maintaining intrigue about what challenges he'll reveal.

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