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Outboard Well Conversions for traditional style sub 32 ft yachts.

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Created by julesmoto > 9 months ago, 19 May 2023
julesmoto
NSW, 1569 posts
19 May 2023 2:32AM
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atomvoyages.com/articles/the-improved-outboard-well/

Could be a cheap way into a yacht as yachts with dead diesels seem to go for next to nothing. Gain a fair bit of (clean/dry) space inside the yacht too which is valuable in the size range.

Ramona
NSW, 7731 posts
19 May 2023 8:26AM
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That would be OK on slow yachts. Faster boats, 6 knots and above would have water forced into that compartment.

julesmoto
NSW, 1569 posts
19 May 2023 8:31AM
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Select to expand quote
Ramona said..
That would be OK on slow yachts. Faster boats, 6 knots and above would have water forced into that compartment.




Yes I agree that the compartment would run wet whilst underway and the yacht was digging a hole and pushing/pulling it's wave but I think the idea is that the conversion is usually done on yachts where the area near the transom is a few inches above the water when the yacht is at rest so it would be self draining.






FabulousPhill
VIC, 320 posts
19 May 2023 9:44AM
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I studied Atom's webpage and a few others, and did the same to my Northerner28 after the diesel died, and a motor on the transom was not fantastic.


You can see the thought process, progress pictures here on the Compass forum (Northerner is predecessor to C28) : groups.google.com/g/compass-yacht-group/c/4U5qWlntOoo



The OB well does not admit water either moored or underway. The OBW is about 4 inches above the waterline and even underway it does not dig a furrow in the water. In either case, that is why the OB well is about 40 cm tall, to prevent wave ingress during winter storms. I have sailed this yacht in excess of 6 knots, and no water came in. It depends on the hull shape and the height above the waterline.
One day I will install better Bombay doors like these:

and maybe even raise the well to the top of the transom, to make airtight the well, to separate it completely from the rest of the hull.

But all in all, very feasible, it saves a 50 year old yacht from the financial impact of shelling out for a new diesel engine, and it sails better.

julesmoto
NSW, 1569 posts
19 May 2023 6:22PM
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Select to expand quote
FabulousPhill said..
I studied Atom's webpage and a few others, and did the same to my Northerner28 after the diesel died, and a motor on the transom was not fantastic.


You can see the thought process, progress pictures here on the Compass forum (Northerner is predecessor to C28) : groups.google.com/g/compass-yacht-group/c/4U5qWlntOoo



The OB well does not admit water either moored or underway. The OBW is about 4 inches above the waterline and even underway it does not dig a furrow in the water. In either case, that is why the OB well is about 40 cm tall, to prevent wave ingress during winter storms. I have sailed this yacht in excess of 6 knots, and no water came in. It depends on the hull shape and the height above the waterline.
One day I will install better Bombay doors like these:

and maybe even raise the well to the top of the transom, to make airtight the well, to separate it completely from the rest of the hull.

But all in all, very feasible, it saves a 50 year old yacht from the financial impact of shelling out for a new diesel engine, and it sails better.


Good on you. Clever solution.



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"Outboard Well Conversions for traditional style sub 32 ft yachts." started by julesmoto