Electric motor/Nissan parts/outboard survey/Catalina island

SolarFry@aol.com
Fri, 11 Sep 1998 17:03:41 EDT


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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I use a Minn Kota 65Ta which puts out 36 lb. of thrust with a single series
27, 900CCA, 205 min reserve, cheap, Wmart battery that cost 39.95 on my
Sovereigh 13 Island Express sailboat. With battery fully charged (6 Amp
charging with meter indicator at 3 Amp) I get 1hr. running time at position 5
(MAX) then it slows to 1/2 speed for another hour. At position 4 I get 2hrs.
running time then it slows to 1/2 speed for another hour... I've had this
motor and battery for about 36mos.

To go out to the ocean in my S13 thru the inlet I use a 3.5HP Mariner motor...
This motor has neutral and forward but no reverse... This is inconvenient at
times... The electric just won't go against the wind and currents... The
electric is great for around canals and lakes but not for ocean use...

I currently use a Nissan "Orphan" 8hp to get my P19 in and out of the inlet...
I am seriously considering a Minn Kota Endura 52 lb [ 3.5hp ] thrust ($189 at
Wmart) electric motor to propel my P19 around canals. IMHO: if my 3.3HP
Mariner can push the P19 in the canals and lakes then a 52lb thrust electric
can do same.... The 3.5 is INCAPABLE of going out inlet to ocean against
current and wind... I am trying to sell the 95' 3.3HP Mariner for 400 bucks..

The survey I made of outboard motors on P15's indicated that most people hated
the 2hp motors whether used in lake or ocean. They preferred the 3.5 with
Neutral and Forward only and loved the Evinrude/Johnson 4hp with F/N/R. The
biggest complaint against the 2hp motors was lot of shaking (Honda and
Evin/Johnson) followed by lack of neutral and reverse... Inadequate power was
mentioned by folks sailing in ocean... On P19 the preferred motor was
Nissan/Tohatsu 5HP motors made by Marubeni.

I must warn you that my experience obtaining parts and accesories for a Nissan
outboard sucks royally. I am now into my second month waiting for an
alternator...

I used to go to Catalina in my Col 25/22 dragging a 15' Boston Whaler... When
we needed supplies once in a while we would run down to Long Beach in whaler,
pick up stuff and return to Catalina following the ferry... Along the way we
passed many Hobie 14's, 16's and Potter 15's sailing to and from Avalon. It is
not a bad cruise most of the year... You have to watch out for Northeasters,
Santa Ana conditions, fog and freighters... Northeaster swells in Avalon have
reached 12 ft at the harbor... Check ou the pics in some of the local
restaurants despicting the size of harbor waves... The swells are large
sometimes but they are not a problem as long as there is no chop. Sometimes
Catalina island and Avalon are surrounded by a fog bank and its easy to lose
way when you get inside the fog bank... But the island itself is under clear,
sunny skies... One time I motored around the island 3 times (4hrs!) inside the
fog bank until we met a powerboat with radar and they took us in... The
biggest problem I always had was total lack of wind... I found myself powering
to and fro half the distance all the time... There would be ample wind only
from 11AM to 4PM rest of time I would sit there and watch the sails droop...

The preferred sail to Catalina is with a SW, W or NW breeze... I would suggest
you sail with another boat the first time you go there... Only for the sense
of security you get from the company... You never know when the island is
going to be surrounded by that stupid fog bank... If you can get one of those
Magellan Pioneer 99 buck GPS it would make it a lot safer to get through that
fog...

Hope you make the trip... Avalon is a great place to visit.. You can rent a
golf cart and cruise the innards all over the island.. See Casino, Wrigley
mansion, buffalo, wild goats, etc... You can also check out Little Harbor
Campground on the other side of the island... It's a great place for quiet and
solitude... The ranger always tells you "you can't stay, the campground is
reserved and going to be crowded." but no one ever shows up. (in 10 years of
going there we had other people there only once and he never changed his
story.) If you look sad and contrite and point at the size of your boat and
the ocean he won't force you off... He just does not like to drive there and
keep eye on people late at night as he would have to, if any bod stayed
there...
Be forewarned the buffalo and goats roam the little harbor campground at
night...

Best
SF
P19, #1028 - "Elusive"

In message "continued praise of electric motor", chrdvd@gte.net (David &
chardy Lang) write:
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I use an electric motor for my p15. It is very handy when I leave the mast off
and cruise around Alamitos Bay, through the naples (long beach) canals. There
are many homes right on the canals and sometimes we cruise them at night. The
electric is very quiet and does not disturb the home owners. Its good for
about two hours of crusing with two twelve volt batteries. I does come up
short however when I motor out to sea. The combination of wind and current
going out the harbor exit proves to much for it . and I usually end up
tacking. I think I need at least a 3.5 engine or possibly 2hp 4 stroke Honda
to handle that. Hopefully next Summer. oh yea my electric is a 35. what is
this I here about a Catalina sail? Is it from around Long Beach. I really want
to do that but would like another boat (and owner) along for the ride.
Everyone says I am crazy for thinking about crossing the channel in such a
small boat, but I have the bug! I briefly met another p15 owner at the launch
ramp dock that has sailed to Catalina many times. he says the only danger is
if you do not reef soon enough. He had been out in some very severe weather
and was convinced the p15 is up to the task in almost any weather short of a
gale (and maybe even then)

happy pottering
Dave Lang, p15, hull#554
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