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 The engine is a Yanmar 18 HP 2GM saildrive.
This a 4 stroke, vertical, seawater-cooled diesel engine with a propeller speed of 1289 rpm and weighing only 295 lbs.
The main purpose of the engine is to charge the batteries and it will be run on a daily basis. There is a dual direction box installed in the throttle cable system which allows for a second throttle cable to be attached. When the engine is throttled by this second cable there is no way the transmission can be put into gear.
The rules of the race requires that each boat must be equipped with an internally and permanently mounted engine that is capable of propelling the yacht at a minimum of 5 knots. This is for safety reasons only. If the yacht sustains damage which cannot be repaired while underway and it cannot be towed into the nearest port to effect repairs, the motor is then to be used to get to a safe place. The only time that the yacht can be moved without wind on the sail or manpower is if it is damaged and only ten miles out from any anchorage or port, at which time the yacht can be towed in, repaired and then towed back to where it left the race, to continue on. The competitor must show that being towed does not advance the yacht toward the finish of the next leg. During the race the propeller will have a seal on it to ensure that it is not used. If this seal is broken then the yacht is disqualified from the race.
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