Disconnecting motor while sailing

[Scott]

Mac X specific stainless Kit, Sold at Home depot and Lowes $11



In use

I have the little bracket to unhook the motor. Only did it once though, a real PITA if you ask me.

Ours takes all of 10 seconds to do and is very easy.

As for disconnecting being a bad Idea you just have to remember to have at least 1 rudder down and a touch of centerboard fo the boat to pivot around and it is very controllable. The only gain from the motor being connected I can see is prop walk when docking (to snug against the pier when docking)

[Loefflerh]

When sailing I would like to raise the motor - but in that position the suzuki 70 pulls the steering to one side, the engine just " falls"; solution would be to disconnect the engine and that would keep it centered even in the "up" position.
However I did not see any difference in sailing performence, neither handling nor speed between motor up or down. One thing of concern is when sailing with a good speed the prop starts turning - should that be of concern? Lubrication?
Hans

[John Christian]

At the end of last year I purchased the quick disconect linkage from BWY. It is designed for the Suzuki 70 and instalation is straight forward. Works great and makes a huge difference in the feel of the boat under sail. Connection can be done without tools in seconds. Blue Water says the system can be adapted for other motors, I dont know the degree of difficulty.

JC

[Russ]

We have the quick connect from BWY. Takes 2 seconds to connect on our M. When the motor is not connected to the steering, it connects to a center knob that holds it in place centered (like most sailboats with outboards).

I don't like having the steering work that hard and have pressure on it. Also, if I let go of the wheel with the Suzy70 tilted up, it can whip around until I hear a thud as the motor falls down on its side. That can't be good.

What I've come to do is if I'm sailing, disconnect the motor and keep it centered. I have plenty of steering with rudders and as long as I keep speed below 8 knots it's safe. Dropping the prop into the water is quick and once I get close to the marina I'll hook the motor back to the steering.

If I want to be a motorboat, then all fins come up and motor is attached.

--Russ

[enufsed]

Here's a picture of my stern, showing what I think is the connection on the right side of photo that you're talking about disconnecting. It has a bent-out-of-shape ringding at the moment.

It's not clear to me where I would set or attach the motor connection while it's disconnected from the steering. Please take a peek and let me know what you think I should do.

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[Russ]

The X is a lot different from my M.

That bent pin doesn't look very secure.
I would imagine you could install a post somewhere back there. Remove the cotter pin, take the linkage off the current post, rotate 90 degrees and attach to your newly installed post.

Other than that, I got nuttin.

[Scott]

Enfused, You dont have a disconnect. Thats the stock steering arm.

[Kelly Hanson East]

On the the motor linkage bar will fit on the starboard rudder pivot nut with a nut on top....no need to add another post.

[jim nolan]

KHE. Did you mean the starboard rudder pivot bolt that sticks up? On my 99X it only sticks up about a half inch. I would have bend the motor arm down to attach it. Just today went to Lowes, and bought a coupling nut to screw on, and will screw a longer bolt in to that. Can't wait to try it. jim nolan

[Scott]

Wouldn't you have to re-adjust the linkage to keep the motor straight, seems I recall considering this.

[Kelly Hanson East]

It doesnt offset enough to make a difference at low speeds at least, ime

Jim - you might need a longer screw or coupler as you note.

[opie]

My 2 cents...... Earlier this week I tacked near a jetty and a wind shift (and poor speed) had me drifting to the rocks. I lowered engine and started the motor and got the tack accomplished. I would NEVER disconnect the motor for safety reasons. The steering is very comfortable when sailing. My motor doesn't flop, either.

[Hardcrab]

The notion that you lose steering with the motor centered and pinned is not fully correct, IMHO.
The rudders will easily turn the boat once you have forward/reverse way.
Think of all the boats with fixed props. They do fine with a rudder and without the vectored thrust of a turned outboard.
The rudder area of an X or M is pretty big.
I share the opinion that my motor is usually decoupled from the linkage, and is tilted up for all sailing. If trouble presents itself, my tilt lowers the motor in 10 seconds, ready to start.
I will recouple, in advance, if I need better control at the docks due to crosswinds, etc, or any higher speed motoring.
Steering feel is much improved under sail when you are not coupled. Sailing performance has to improve due to less drag with the motor tilted out of the water.
Try it, you'll like it.

[John Christian]

I agree with the above, the boat handes fine with the steering disconnected. You wouldn't want to dock it like that but to handle a quick emergency, no Problem.

JC

[Loefflerh]

I asked that in a different post and did not get an anwer: when I leave the engine down when sailing the prop turns due to the speed the boat is moving thru the water. Can that hurt the motor? Lubrication?
Speedwise I do not see any difference between motor dow or up, not even the slightest. Handling does not make any difference either.
Hans