HONDA 15's INSTALLED

[ATTITUDE]

After one year of talking, researching and doing, the installation of Honda 15’s on the back of my Capella 36 is now complete.
I am happy to report that the performance is excellent. In flat water with headwinds of 16 knots the boat moved effortlessly at 4,000 rpm to a speed of 7.5. The motors can run higher.
Maneuverability - excellent.
Considerations were plentiful.
Esthetics: The installation does NOT alter the lines or beauty of the Capella. The motors are unobtrusive. The job does NOT look homemade or like an add-on.
Thrust: Much research was done on this issue. Exactly what is “high” thrust? Where does it come from? How is it measured? The Honda 15’s have more than enough thrust.
Noise: At idle the same or perhaps less noise than the Yamahas. At 4,000 rpm perhaps slightly louder. Very subjective. In any case, I do not think anyone would find the noise more of an issue than with the Yamahas.
Electric Tilt: A very nice option.
Motors: You name the motor, I looked at it. The Honda 15’s meet the requirements of weight, extra long shaft, electric tilt, high thrust, remote steering.
Installation: As you can imagine many issues were planned for and several ones presented during the actually installation. The most difficult one - how to lock the motor in a straightforward position. ALL OF THEM were successfully addressed.
Nacelles: An added bonus is I now have two very large storage areas. A generator would fit in one.
Price: Custom stainless steel brackets (two separate brackets), including installation $6,000. Two motors $6,400. Two tachometers (include Hobbs meters) $200. Four cables (throttle/transmission) $160. Electric harnesses for motors $120. Dual rocker control (tilt momentary switches) $74. Two rubber boots $10. Battery cables and posts $40. Assorted bolts and screws $20.
Results: Priceless!
The above are the essentials. All the work was done with the boat in the water. I have plenty of pictures to share.
Please feel free to ask questions.

[Cat Tales]

I'd love to see the results. Is it possible to email Sam so that he can post your pictures on the http://www.pdq36.com website?

Chris

[Lady of the Lake]

I have the server space to post them, send them to me at:

sdensler@islandfx.com

and I will put them up on the http://www.pdq36.com website. That email address should not have any problems with file sizes. If you have an issue, I can give you an ftp site to drop them into.

Sam

[36041]

Your installation looks much better then I had envisioned, but I do have a question. From the pictures posted on PDQ36.com, I cannot tell if you davits are still usable. Can you tell me how you will carry your dinghy?

Thanks,
Tom
36041

[ATTITUDE]

Tom:
Ah, yes - the dinghy. The existing dinghy hoist brackets (on my boat) can be extended. If need be, a support(s) could be added either to the new brackets or to the transom. My original design for motor brackets was to have one bracket that attached to both hulls and two points on the transom. That would allow for easier future dinghy bracket construction. I also thought that one bracket would be necessary to give proper strength. The stainless fabricator set me straight. I ultimately, opted to "sacrifice" the dinghy in order to have the brackets the least non obtrusive. Another option is to use a soft bottom inflatable and stow it rolled up. My intend, even prior to the change of motors, was to purchase a 14' Panga (all fiberglass, center console) and will tow it on extended trips.

Chris (Cat Tales) asked the same question. His suggestions:

"Another idea for the dinghy may be to store in vertically (instead of horizontal). Obviously you wouldn't be able to leave a motor on it's transom, but you can store the dinghy in the same manner Weaver Davits ( http://www.weaverindustries.com) "swing" a RIB onto a swim platform.
There is a well know cruising couple who just completed a circumnavigation with their dinghy stored in this manner. - http://www.bummfuzzle.com -
http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pictures/South ... 0Wahoo.JPG -

http://www.bumfuzzle.com/Pictures/South ... 20Fish.JPG"

[halfmoon]

Since you have such beautiful ss motor brackets you might take a look at dinghy-tow.com. I had considered this product for a monohull. Capella has davits that work for me, but you might take a look.
Alex Kehayes