Newly Refined for the  

We took a great idea and made it better!

CRO - Contained Retractable Outboard.
 CONCEPT.
 Many sportboat sailors do not want permanently installed inboards, due to their considerable weight, but others find an outboard

 inconvenient to store and lift onto a transom bracket. In the Caribbean where we deliver our boats to regattas by sailing and motoring, a transom mounted outboard can spend more time out of the water, than in, it just doesn't cut it.

During the tooling for the Henderson 30, the CRO unit was born. We really did not want to offer alternative propulsion packages so we designed a system that had the advantages of an outboard but the convenience of an inboard. When we started building the Melges 32 we had headroom restraints that forced us to completely re-design and refine the CRO System. The new system is a major evolution of Paul Amon's original thinking.

DESIGN.
The CRO is a self contained unit that can be easily retrofitted to many boats, from 27 to 45 feet. The engine is mounted using it's standard transom bracket, on a molded fiberglass carriage that slides vertically. The carriage extends beyond the foot of the engine and has a flat plate attached to bottom. When the CRO is raised this plate closes off the opening in the hull, giving a totally fair surface. The new Melges 32 system, allows the engine to tilt on a hinged engine bracket. The hull door is pulled up out of the way on a double axis slide system into the engine box, so no more dragging of the hull door when motoring!

OPERATION.
To start the engine, open the CRO hatch, which is in the cockpit floor or bridge deck. Lower the CRO engine into it's operating position. The engine is equipped with an electric start which also activates the blower to vent the compartment, start the engine and close the hatch. The engine is controlled via a remote throttle and gear shift just like an inboard.

When finished motoring, simply tilt the motor up, pull the custom designed handle to lock the hull door in place and create a fair and water tight seal. Turn on the bilge pump and pump any excess water out of the engine box. No propeller drag!

Should the engine require servicing, it can be removed as simply as taking it off the transom of a boat, with less chance of it falling in the drink. Take it down to your local dealer and pick it up when it's finished. An end to mechanics, tools, oil or grease all over your boat.

ORDERING
We have already sent several complete systems to clients who have easily and successfully retrofitted them in their boats. If you are ready to throw out that old diesel then think about a CRO unit. Send us your details and we can custom manufacture one to meet your requirements perfectly.