My Mistral 16

[Daysailer]

Hello all,

First time poster, sailor, sailboat owner. I purchased a Mistral 16
Sport (open cockpit) about a month ago and was directed to this
discussion group by Leroy (Thank you Leroy!!) I have a bunch of
questions that I will slowly address and I am sure more as they come
along. My first question is if anyone has a motor on the back of their
boat. What kind of power (hp) do you have, since the Mistral 16 is a
fairly light vessel. Also what type of bracket do people have to hold
the motor and where is it mounted. (pics would be great if anyone is
up for sharing) The 16 seems like a great boat, I just hope I am not
in over my head as a beginner. I'm working on signing up for some
lessons.


Thanks

[William Grant]

Hi, I use a 2.5 hp (yamaha) 4 stroke, mounted on a stainless steel and wood
bracket bolted to the port side of the transom. (Important to ensure solid
backing for bolts.) Works fine, doesn't interfere with rudder (you can set
the motor on straight ahead and use the tiller/rudder to steer without the
rudder touching the motor.) Tilts up out of the way easily.

I used to have a 4HP, this was too big, weighted stern down too much,
unecessary power.

Only problem is that the mainsheet can get caught on the tilted up motor
during a gybe (when the wind is behind you and the sail goes right over from
one side of the boat to the other) which can be dangerous in strong winds.
I've largely eliminated this problem by removing the rear traveller
arrangement and using a simple rope bridle instead
http://www.wayfarer-international.org/WIT/race.related/RiggingTips/UncleAl/Bridle/98Bridle.htm ,
attached slightly ahead of where the traveller is, and moving the attachment
point for the mainsheet pully at the stern end of the boom slightly forward.
Many sailors have given up on the rear traveller in boats like ours, more
trouble than its worth, you can get the same said control using the
mainsheet and boom vang.

For information on this and much more, see the Canadian Wayfarer Association
website technical section
http://www.wayfarer-international.org/WIT/WITindex1.html .
This is a very good resource, since the Mistral is almost identical to the
Wayfarer.

Good luck, the Mistral is a nice boat, ideal to learn on.

Bill Grant