What looked easy has become mission impossible. I bought a donated 1978 S2 on Ebay. The ad stated that the "adjustable trailer needed adjusting." Easy enough...right? The 13hp Yanmar had been removed due to overheating when last used. That was eight years ago.
The S2 has a 4' draft. The EZ-Loader adjustable trailer was designed for an approx. 1' to 2 1/2' draft. So I replaced the 21" aluminum plates with 4' steel plates. EZ-Loader says this will work fine on the 1978 S2.
The "mission impossible" is moving the 26', 5200 pound sailboat to the closest boat elevator which is approx. 5 miles away on the California Delta. The sailboat has no motor since the diesel was removed. I am about 1300 miles away with no real diesel experience.
Thinking about buying a used long shaft 9.9hp Chrysler to attach to the sailboat. With negligible wind, this should propel the boat the needed 5 miles. I tried pulling the sailboat with a 14' aluminum boat with 9.5hp motor and was not successful that day due to significant winds. My helper had also jammed the sailboat steering all the way in one direction. This could have hurt or it could have been an attempt to help. I was not able to manage the sailboat, with the 14' aluminum boat, at all.
I recently bought a 40hp long shaft Johnson that is "supposed to work". I will soon find out if it does work. Feeling intimidated by mounting a 40hp outboard on the sailboat. 40hp seems a bit heavy for one guy to mount in a marina slip.
The S2 has a 4' draft. The EZ-Loader adjustable trailer was designed for an approx. 1' to 2 1/2' draft. So I replaced the 21" aluminum plates with 4' steel plates. EZ-Loader says this will work fine on the 1978 S2.
The "mission impossible" is moving the 26', 5200 pound sailboat to the closest boat elevator which is approx. 5 miles away on the California Delta. The sailboat has no motor since the diesel was removed. I am about 1300 miles away with no real diesel experience.
Thinking about buying a used long shaft 9.9hp Chrysler to attach to the sailboat. With negligible wind, this should propel the boat the needed 5 miles. I tried pulling the sailboat with a 14' aluminum boat with 9.5hp motor and was not successful that day due to significant winds. My helper had also jammed the sailboat steering all the way in one direction. This could have hurt or it could have been an attempt to help. I was not able to manage the sailboat, with the 14' aluminum boat, at all.
I recently bought a 40hp long shaft Johnson that is "supposed to work". I will soon find out if it does work. Feeling intimidated by mounting a 40hp outboard on the sailboat. 40hp seems a bit heavy for one guy to mount in a marina slip.
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