Yanmar V-twin diesel conversion of OMC Saildrive

[malbert73]

How did it work ?


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[Vaaldam]

I have a 18hp OMC inboard with a sail drive and a stainless steel propeller (Yacht in fresh water). Electrolysis has destroyed the aluminium walls of the sail drive. The motor is still running like a train. Is there anybody out there with a usable sail drive.

[malbert73]

I guess OP isn’t on here anymore or the install didn’t work and he doesn’t want to share. I’m mainly curious and hoping this worked

[Vaaldam]

Thanks for the thread Malbert. I read another (or same) thread where somebody (unsympathetically at first thought) was of the opinion to rather buy another boat. If one looks at the price of a yanmar v2 diesel with sail drive, I do share his/her opinion. Is it worthwhile to throw good money into a bottomless well ..... excluding sentimental reasons? Picking up a pre-owned unit in reasonable condition is also unlikely - OMC much less, if at all. The latter two stroke is preferable (low maintenance) as there will be no modifications to the boat though for safety reasons one would favour to replace it with diesel. After endless searching on the Net, I did find an OMC unit at a reasonable price in the US and the seller was prepared to send to ZA but seems he lost interest once I wanted to transfer the funds as he doesn't reply to my follow-up e-mails..... so near, yet so far away!

[LongJohnSilver]

Originally Posted by sgancarz

...

Hi,

I know, your post is about 2 years old. But I need to ask you: where bought you this folding propeller?

[darylat8750]

His last post was a little over a year ago. But he was going slow and careful and has a life beyond his boat. I have hope that we will hear from him again..

[sgancarz]

Originally Posted by darylat8750

His last post was a little over a year ago. But he was going slow and careful and has a life beyond his boat. I have hope that we will hear from him again..

Thank you all for your interest.

I know it has been a while since I have posted any updates and as darylat8750 says, I was taking my time and life has completely gotten in the way.

I have not given up on the project, however I did upgrade to a larger boat and that has taken my time this year. I hope to get back working on the wiring harness over the winter and will update on the status as I make more progress.

Need to get the project done as I am now paying storage on a boat I am not currently sailing.

Originally Posted by LongJohnSilver

Hi,

I know, your post is about 2 years old. But I need to ask you: where bought you this folding propeller?

I got lucky and found the prop (NOS) on ebay.

Originally Posted by Vaaldam

Thanks for the thread Malbert. I read another (or same) thread where somebody (unsympathetically at first thought) was of the opinion to rather buy another boat. If one looks at the price of a yanmar v2 diesel with sail drive, I do share his/her opinion. Is it worthwhile to throw good money into a bottomless well ..... excluding sentimental reasons? Picking up a pre-owned unit in reasonable condition is also unlikely - OMC much less, if at all. The latter two stroke is preferable (low maintenance) as there will be no modifications to the boat though for safety reasons one would favour to replace it with diesel. After endless searching on the Net, I did find an OMC unit at a reasonable price in the US and the seller was prepared to send to ZA but seems he lost interest once I wanted to transfer the funds as he doesn't reply to my follow-up e-mails..... so near, yet so far away!

In all actuallity I am only into this project so far for about $2500.