Subject: Cavitation
From: Nelson Kirsch
Greetings,
I've a 22' D&M sailboat. It weighs in at 4000 lbs with 2000 lbs of
ballast. Right now, I have a Johnson 15hp motor with a 20inch shaft on
the transom. The boat floats pretty much on its lines.
I'm experiencing a lot of cavitation when underway in moderate seas (2-4
ft) and am wondering if this is standard for an outboard powered
sailboat or if perhaps I need a longer engine shaft. Also, would
moving the tilt pin forward or backward help?
Any thoughts or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Your experiencing airation which is not uncommon in that type of boat. It
sounds like you need a longer engine shaft. Or a way to lower the outboard you
already have.
Capt. Bill