Dear Joan

I would like to add to the correspondence about outboard motors. Someone asked if a clutch was essential. My answer is yes, because if you have a man overboard then you must stop the propeller turning before getting close to the unfortunate person. It is much easier to keep the engine running in neutral so that if you misjudge the approach (who doesn’t) you can have another go.

I also prefer to keep the outboard on the transom or better still in a well. That’s why I like the Drascombe range. TH