Donnie,I recently downsized from a Dufour 36 Classic to #1622. It was prompted by a move inland from the coast to the mountains, and I'm now a 70 year old lake sailor. My racing crew remained in Florida, and while my partner likes boating, she's not as into sailing as am I. So, I'm quite often single handing.
The first thing I did was install roller furling. I bought a ProFurl C260. It performs well as a fuller, but it's a single line (furling/haylard) system that has it's pluses and minus'. The next thing I did was install lazy jacks. I loved these on my Dufour (Morgan before that had a similar system) and they work well on the Ensign. So, for sail handling, I never have to leave the cockpit. One note on the lazy jacks, to install your cockpit cover, the lazy jacks have to be eased. So the main line must be long enough to stow the jacks down with the sail once it's secured.
My boat came with a Torqeedo Traveler. Operating and handling the motor - including lugging and loading the battery (worth about $1000!) - involved crawling across the aft deck. The risk of dropping the battery overboard was not lost on me. I bought an extended handle first, now I use their remote remote control exclusively. I also recently bought a motor extension cable. Now the battery stays in its bag on the deck, and with the controller means not having to lean over the aft deck to set up or operate the motor. The only reaching over the deck is to raise and lower the motor, and it's very light without the battery.
Based on your what your motoring needs might be, I'd recommend looking at the Torqeedo. I find it reliable, and it starts at the push of a button, while not requiring me to haul fuel. If the shaft has to come off the boat, I can do that also one handed.
Impressions on this motor seem pretty divided, but after many years with diesel auxiliaries and gas outboards for my dinks, I'm sold on this motor for an Ensign on a lake. In tidal waters, I might have a different opinion. That being the case, there is a company that makes a remote throttle for gas outboards that fits to the tiller - forget their name at the moment.
Bill Cheadle
#1622
Chien du Soleil