Engine Did Not Fall Off!

June 28, 2023

The weather in Maine has been cold and rainy, so I really haven’t done any cruising. But on the one decent day we had I took Tardis out on the Sheepscot River to test out the new transom, controls, etc.

Here’s the report I sent to Mark:

I think the new transom/engine configuration is a great success.

— I guessed at the height of the splashwell, but not a drop came aboard.

— With the engine a bit farther back, it seems easier to kick the boat’s stern around in reverse and back down onto the dock.  I am a terrible docker, and just being able to look over from the outside helm station and see the orientation of the engine seems to make a difference.

— No difference in engine noise since I had to cut a big hole in the engine box to tilt the engine up.  Etecs are very quiet, so I almost don’t notice it with the cabin door closed.

— Seems to run a little flatter, which is nice for visibility.  I think this is because I can now get the engine perfectly up and down, and even use some negative tilt if needed.  I was a couple degrees off before because the engine would hit the transom before getting completely vertical.

— MAYBE the waterline is down 1/2-inch in the back and up a half in the front, but basically I think the weight/immersed volume/COB all cancels out somehow.

— I think we might be running a tiny bit faster.  I ran reciprocal courses up and down the Sheepscot River at slack and averaged 10.7 knots at 4400 RPM.  I usually try for 10.5.  The jump in speed at 4300 seems a little more pronounced.

— 15 knots WOT, so Arnhem will have to give me a big handicap when we are racing.

I am also very happy with the snappy new bimini that took two years to get finished due to shortages of just about everything. Even in the rain, I have been enjoying more time outside.

I also replaced all my flooded cells with AGMs (three group 31, one group 24). The solar panels alone bring them right up full charge after using the thruster, hot water heater, etc. Even in the foggy, cloudy weather I can run the fridge, lights, head, etc. with almost no voltage drop. I don’t know if the technology is any different than the marine AGMs Interstate used to sell, but they come in a fancy new case. I have had good luck with Interstates — every boatyard around here uses them in their workboats and machinery, so I’ve never been tempted to use one of the fancy brands.