Smallest Production Sailboat (LOA) with an A4

[rickandlee]

Someone looking at how far I have to go on my project boat, asked me if the A4 was a lot more engine than I needed. Our boat is an S2 26 Mid (8.0 C). Can you say "windage". It's a 1975 Winnebago with sails. The A4 was an option in the boat as the standard was an 8 hp Yanmar and the other option was a 13 hp Volvo. Every time I think of motoring into a 20 kt headwind I'm happy the original owner paid the extra $1000 for the A4. Plus it's so smooth and quiet.

Oh yea, the question, what is the smallest boat you have seen with an A4 as original equipment?

[ndutton]

Of the boats that I have first hand knowledge (1970's), the smallest product for each company that used A-4's . . .

• Columbia/Coronado used Palmers almost exclusively with the single exception of the Columbia 30
• The A-4 was standard equipment on the Newport 27
• Jensen (Cal, Ranger, O'Day) used A-4's in their Cal 29 and Ranger 28. The Cal 27 had a Vire 7 two stroke inboard with saildrive option (pronounced Vy-Ree), smaller Cal's and Rangers were designed and built to accommodate outboards. I don't recall what the O'Day 27 had.
• Islander used the A-4 in their Islander 28. The I26 was outboard powered.

[HOTFLASH]

A4 on smaller boats

Tartan 27's built by Douglass and McLeod from '61 to late 70's have had A4's as original equipment. But in the very last years, with the "27-2" design, a Farymann diesel was at first optional and then standard.

Mary
'75 Tartan 27 Yawl
HotFlash

[joe_db]

The 16 foot Dyer used the A4.

[Hymodyne]

Pearson Ariel, Bristol 24 offered them as factory options.

James

[rickandlee]

Thanks for the replies. I thought the S2 was on the short end. At least I have lots of space and easy access to the engine for such a small boat. The picture was taken from a bench that you can sit on while pondering the issue.

[sastanley]

Well...we know the Grampian 26 came with one!

[GregH]

RickandLee;

Wonderful space about that engine!

Is that a bilge hose back by the shaft (black dropping down in front of the shaft)? Is there any attachment holding it away from rubbing against the shaft? I'd hate to see it burn through and not be avail when you really need it.

[romantic comedy]

Thanks for the replies. I thought the S2 was on the short end. At least I have lots of space and easy access to the engine for such a small boat. The picture was taken from a bench that you can sit on while pondering the issue.

What exhaust do you have there? Water jacketed? Stand pipe? Looks more like a fully jacketed.

Great access. And I thought I had it good with the engine in the middle of the cabin in my Tartan 34.

[rickandlee]

RickandLee;

Wonderful space about that engine!

Is that a bilge hose back by the shaft (black dropping down in front of the shaft)? Is there any attachment holding it away from rubbing against the shaft? I'd hate to see it burn through and not be avail when you really need it.

I'm in the process of refurbishing, my wife Lee calls it rebuilding, the boat inside and out so lot's of loose items. I'll tidy up before we run things. You missed the melted spot on the throttle cable housing that was up against the exhaust at sometime before I ended up with this boat. This project is on hold until I get the piston rings free on my 1 cylinder Tohatsu 6 HP. Hopefully the MMO soak does the trick. New I should have misted the cylinder last spring.

[rickandlee]

What exhaust do you have there? Water jacketed? Stand pipe? Looks more like a fully jacketed.

Great access. And I thought I had it good with the engine in the middle of the cabin in my Tartan 34.

I don't know what you call that exhaust. The water goes in at the bottom and runs up the jacket to just before the U turn and is dumped into the exhaust about 2" below on the descending side. It's probably original but works and does not appear to have any leaks in the water jacket. We will probably replace with a lift muffler and put storage drawers in that area.

[Marian Claire]

"This project is on hold until I get the piston rings free on my 1 cylinder Tohatsu 6 HP. Hopefully the MMO soak does the trick."
When my 2 HP seized up I removed the prop, clamped a pair of vise grips on and gently worked it back and forth. The vibration and PB blaster worked well.
Edit. My 2 HP does not have neutral.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

[rickandlee]

"This project is on hold until I get the piston rings free on my 1 cylinder Tohatsu 6 HP. Hopefully the MMO soak does the trick."
When my 2 HP seized up I removed the prop, clamped a pair of vise grips on and gently worked it back and forth. The vibration and PB blaster worked well.
Edit. My 2 HP does not have neutral.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

The engine runs fine just has real low compression and does not except throttle very quickly. You have to open the throttle 2/3 with full choke to get it to cold start to draw in enough fuel. Makes oil. Compression is about 50 psi when it should be 130 psi. Piston compression rings frozen to piston. The real unfortunate thing is we have a prospective buyer for the boat, this engine propels, coming Monday. The other bad thing it can be fixed under warranty but the mechanic can't get to it for a couple of weeks. On the other hand if it doesn't sell we get to go on the cruise with the rest of our group, here at Lake Havasu, in a couple of weeks. As Eric Idle sang in Life of Brian "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" (whistle, whistle).