INVESTIGATOR 563

Based on information supplied in this discussion I bought a Toshiba 6 hp Sail Pro. In the link given to Trailer Sailer Place this motor was discussed. It weighs 25 kg and comes with ultra long shaft and alternator. It pushes the boat along very well and there is no problem with the weight. I'm sure I'll get used to the 4 stroke.

Cheers,

Brian

Brian- congratulations, that 6 hp sounds pretty good.
Andrew, owners might choose a 4hp in Queensland as it is the max before the bureaucracy takes over and all sorts of legal requirements set in. If you are going to spend the money, 5 or 6 hp seems the best solution.

Atles that is awsome you could pull a skier

My problem is looking for a smaller motor.

My current 5hp mariner longshaft bluesmoke is fine, but it is still very heavy to lift onto the bracket from my tender or even mounting it over the rail from the cockpit if I leave it on the boat. Unfortunately as I coast in towards 60 my already stuffed back is starting to let me down. Downsizing? The trouble is most 4hp 2 strokes are still close to 20kg so I would have to go down to a 3.3/3.5 which is about 13kg. As long as I stay away from Swansea channel this will get me on and off the mooring no sweat. In fact I can sail back onto the mooring under most wind conditions other than no wind and a strong tide. Only problem with that is I can't see a 3.5 that comes in a long shaft. Anyone aware of one . Older model maybe?

My other option would be leave the 5 in the locker and just use the shorty 3.5 for my normal sailing with the 5 long only used for rough days or motoring only fishing excursions. The shorty is ok if there is no chop. I don't like the idea of carrying two motors but maybe the extra 13 k on the back would hopefully not weigh the stern down too much if the other one was forward in the locker.

Decisions, decisions. Makes you see the advantage of a well mounted motor.

Many boats on moorings leave the outboard on the bracket and tilted up with a lock and a cover. Bit of a compromise but maybe the best solution.