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National One-design Cruiser/Racer

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Engine

11th June 2004

8366

11th June 2004 at 1:30 PM

I would like to fit an inboard motor to my boat, any offers to help?

StevenRolland

11th June 2004 at 5:48 PM

Into a Sonata?? ;)

What sort of engine? Whereabouts were you thinking of locating it?

teamsarabande2004

11th June 2004 at 7:54 PM

sounds very interesting wanting to fit an inboard motor to a sonata,

i dont think id like to offer to help you mess up your sonata but please remember you may find it best to get a diamond driller to core drill the hole through the boat.

StevenRolland

11th June 2004 at 9:18 PM

I believe the MkII has a well in the rear of the cockpit for locating an outboard. May be worth buying one of those if you do not want to lug an outboard over the transom.

See Page 29 of the Class Rules for drawings of the well.

Chap at our club has a Hunter Delta with a outboard well. Saves a lot of hassel.

Administrator

24th June 2004 at 2:14 PM

If you’re serious about the inboard engine project and you want some professional help then you might like to contact Jim Dominy (JD_Yacht_Designs@compuserve.com). Jim used to own a Sonata and was a committe member and editor of the newsletter for several years. He is a qualified naval architect and runs a yacht design firm.

Jack Hardie

arni

24th June 2004 at 11:56 PM

I was once offered a nearly new 7hp diesel, and as I only cruised my Sonata, I considered trying to install it. There is enough room for a small diesel underneath the companion steps, and you can gain more space by cutting a larger hole in the transverse bulkhead just aft of this position. I calculated that the weight balance of the boat would be OK, because the normal outboard, though lighter, is carried right at the stern.

However, I did not go ahead because:-

a) the hull of a Sonata is quite thin, and not intended for the weight of an inboard, so considerable beefing up would be required before trying to get the engine mountings in the right position.

B) because of the ‘tucked up’ nature of the after hull of a Sonata, some sort of shaft bracket would also be required, adding more hull strengthening and complications.

c) fuel tank installation would be problemmatical.

d) as anybody thinking of fitting a diesel will not be racing, at least not in one-design, a larger 4-stroke outboard could be used, say a 5-6hp, which would be exceptionally reliable, quiet and economical, and may even give generating power for a battery. (Incidentally, a battery fits nicely in a box just aft of the main bulkhead on the stbd side next to the doorway to the forecabin. This is under the mast compression post and central for weight distribution)

e) When I cruised long distances, I always towed a very light Walker Bay plastic 8′ dinghy, for which I had a Suzuki 2.2hp outboard. I stowed this by mounting it on a plate directly on the stbd side of the transome. It was featherweight so I could move it easily. I discovered that, provided I mounted it on the very outside of the outboard bracket (Mk I Sonata) it would not cavitate despite being shortshaft, and drove the mother boat at 4 knots. One should not send anybody forward when motoring like this!

Thus you can have a very good propulsion system, with a backup, at a fraction of the cost and trouble of fitting an inboard.

Filed Under: Archives, Forum Archive, IPB Archive

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