I have recently taken over ownership of Evette 2 a seal Sinbad and love her to bits. The present Mariner 6- 2 stroke engine is well past its best and I would like advice from owners as I plan to replace it. I have found the present motor heavy and awkward to lift out the well-I am 63 years old with a poor back. I have also found it cannot push me through the water with wind and tide against me in a shallow choppy sea. Is that the nature of the boat cos it is light or the nature of my poor engine. Obviously size is an issue-the present mariner had its cavitation plate cut away to get it in the well. I am based at Bradwell marina. Any advice would be appreciated.

If you don't have a 'sail drive' prop, I can recommend buying one. Mine was a significant improvement over the 'standard' prop that I had initially. 'Sail drive' propellers have a shallower pitch and blades of larger area than those fitted as standard, which are suited to faster speeds.

As you probably know, the sale of new two-stroke outboards was banned some years ago and the four-stroke replacements - though good - are heavier. Therefore, you probably can't replace your two-stroke engine with a lighter new engine with sufficient power, unfortunately. Perhaps the solution is to rig some sort of lifting mechanism?

Anthony Russell

235/02 Sea Wyche

Tony Witcombe

Evette 2

It's worth using the forum's very effective search facility [top right].

For example, just entering 'outboard engine' will produce a long list of past posts for you to review.

As with all search engines, it can pay to try a variety of search words and phrases related to your area of concern - try 'propellor' and 'outboard well', to name but two.

I'm sure that you'll find plenty of useful advice.

sincerely

Geoff Sheddick

Parker 27/146 "Stroller'

The smaller pitch also allows a larger blade area. Both differences enable the engine to deliver greater force/acceleration within the limited speed range of the hull. When the boat is being slowed by steep seas, the sail-drive prop gets a better 'grip' and accelerates the boat back up to speed more quickly. It also makes the engine more responsive in low-speed manouevres.

Like Mick, I also have a Tohatsu 6hp 4-stroke with sail-drive prop. It weighs about 25kg. On my boat it uses far less fuel cruising at only 4 knots - about 0.6 litres per hour.

Anthony Russell

235/02 Sea Wyche