CaptVic:
This is the question I have been trying to answer. If you search the internet, there are limited discussions of the idea of putting a high thrust outboard on the back of an Albin 25/27. The question is how big an engine, or in reality, how small can you go. I think it would need to be a modern 4 stroke with high thrust and the right propeller. It would need to be steerable, and could be raised. Yes, you would go 5-6 knots. Yes, 5-6 knots is not the same as 7-10knots
. Yes, it will take longer to get somewhere.
To be sure, the idea is to get the boat to move at displacement speeds, not up on plane. Of course the fuel efficiency would not be as good as the diesel. But how bad would it really be? My research indicates fuel burn for this engine would be somewhere between .75-1gal of fuel and hour, which I find acceptable.
There is very little anecdotal evidence or reports to go by. Finding someone who has actually run with a "kicker engine" or a even a sole single outboard on an Albin 25/27 is next to impossible. Finding someone who has run with an outboard on a similar size and type boat is only slightly better. I have not found anyone who's done it and learned the hard way. The people who have done it report a compromise, but are satisfied with their decision. Because I have found a few people who did something similar on the same boat or something closer --and their real world feedback is good---it makes me keep thinking about this idea.
Here are two accounts of an outboard on an A27, from the Albin BC's thread
here
#1
"I am the Albineer who installed the long shaft high thrust on my Albin.I used a heavy duty Adventure Marine beacket in the center of the boat between the swim grids. Anything less than the Adventure Marine Bracket will break under constant use.When purchasing the high thrust, long shaft (25 inch) Yamaha 9.9 I got power tilt. Also installed Trol-Eze steering so you can steer from the helm. I also routed the fuel line to the helm and back out so I can prime, lower, choke, start and steer from the helm.I did a lot of work so if I had a break down I would just conmtinue on my trip. If my main engine completely packs it in I may remove the diesel motor and use the Yamaha for main power.Running with the 9.9 Yamaha is only 2 knots slower than ,the MD3B Volvo. The Yamaha dealer told me this before I purchased the engine and he was right on.I wanted total control from the helm so it is quick, easy and safe to get underway quickly should the main engine fail.Not sure of the bracket height but I can measure and let you know. Cost about $1500.00 more but it is well worth the convenience and safety.I had a custom 15 gallon fuel tank made and mounted on the Port swim grid. It is powdeer coated white in color and looks good."
#2
I run my aft cabin Albin 27 out of Ketchikan, Alaska, and have a 9.9 H.P. 4 cycle Yamaha outboard mounted on the swim platform strictly as a " get home engine" and have used it as such a couple of times. I was told by the dealer that it was
their sailboat model and has the same propeller as found on their 50 H.P. model. When I have used it, sometimes for salmon trolling, it locks in the straight ahead position and after adjusting the throttle at the engine, I find that I can use the main rudder to control the forward motion just fine. It actually burns less fuel than the L.D. 28 Nissan diesel that Albin installed, and I can make about 5 knots as indicated by the G.P.S. at about 75% throttle. The only drawback with this setup might be running in heavy
seas and having the engine cavitating with the wave action, but I've never had to run in these conditions, as I'm retired and never run on a tight schedule and can wait for the weather to subside.
To me the arguments against the outboard are common and often repeated. I continue to write them down every time someone brings one up, and really research whether its reality, and if so how significant. Because everything on a boat is a trade off, I find some of them valid, and others not so valid:
1)its gas therefore its soooo dangerous (I'm already carrying gas for my dingy and generator)
2) its sooo heavy (when considering modern 4 strokes, not necessarily as heavy as you'd think)
3) the transom can't support it (remains to be seen, but seems an easy fix to reinforce)
4) you loose the heat exchanger and therefore hot water/hot water based cabin heater, and high output alternator (TRUE)
5) you have to purchase an outboard bracket, lift, steering & remote controls for the outboard (TRUE)
6) the boat might cavitate in steep seas (TRUE)
7)the engine will spin and spin and not move an inch (research high thrust)
We have to get specific here. I've made two calls now to dealers to discuss the idea of a A27 repower, and one thing I've quickly learned is you cannot mash everything together and compare apples to oranges.
