PocketShip.net

Hi all, has anyone considered building a motor well to hide the outboard? I've seen this done with fiberglass boats...makes it look like you have an inboard...

It's a shame to have the beautiful sapaele wood on the transom and it covered up by a greased engine...

Thoughts?

John addressed the motor well question several years ago on this forum, saying it would not be practical.

do you recall why not?

would love to be able to do it...

You could search the forum - that thread is probably still on here. It's probably titled "motor well." Anyway, it seems to me that it would really intrude on the cockpit space, basically dominating it. The well would need to allow for raising the motor when not in use, making it a huge hole in the bottom of a small boat. What's more, due to the keel the well would need to be off to one side. When heeled up, that huge hole would be about as ugly as an outboard hung on the transom not to mention that that hole would cause a high amount of drag.

It doesn't seem like it would be too difficult to make an easily removable motor mount for the transom. In fact, Duckworks Boat Builders Supply sells a neat one. Since Pocketship has lots of sail area its light air performance should be fairly spectacular. As John says in one of his videos, leaving the outboard ashore is often a reasonable option, at least for a day sail. Cruising is another matter.

An oar is another option, but storing that is kind of ugly too.

Can you send me a direct link to. The duck worth outboard brace? Have searched the site and can't find it. Thanks.