2009 Hunter 25 engine size 20hp

[jeangeorg]

Hello, I am still searching for my first sailboat.
I am visiting a 2009 Hunter 25 boat this Saturday and the broker told me it has a 2012 20HP outboard Honda engine.
Is this an overkill for this boat? Is it dangerous for the integrity of the transom and the mounting bracket. Most boats of this size I see have 8 to 9.9hp ratings. I am concerned.
The broker is more of a motorboat seller, it is the only sailboat in his list.
I am wondering if I should try to buy the boat without the engine.
Thanks, John

 

[Roland5048]

I don't know much about that particular model, however 20hp seems a bit much. However, if all is in good shape and the price is fair and you want the boat, take the motor with it and sell it. You might get enough for it to repower and and have a few bucks left over. Outboards in that hp range usually sell quickly, at least around here. Just my opinion. Good luck.

 

[jeangeorg]

I don't know much about that particular model, however 20hp seems a bit much. However, if all is in good shape and the price is fair and you want the boat, take the motor with it and sell it. You might get enough for it to repower and and have a few bucks left over. Outboards in that hp range usually sell quickly, at least around here. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Not a bad idea. I am more concerned about the weight and the stress this engine might cause or has caused to the boat.
I found this on page 79 of the owners manual of the H25

“ As the outboard is an option on your Hunter, you have numerous choices of brands available to you. This motor should be between 8hp and 10hp for the H25. “

 

[JRT]

Ya I'd sell that motor and buy a new Tohatsu 9.9 electric start with the money.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Suggested in private email no more than 10 hp due to design of transom and hulls. He has a chance to buy without motor. Suggest photos to be posted of transom

 

[Will Gilmore]

Welcome Jeangeorg, to the SBO forum.
You are now a member of a great family of sailors who offer each other the best advice and support.
First, listen to CrazyDave, he is amazingly knowledgeable about your boat and one of the most helpful members on SBO.
Second, use your own judgement to sift through all the advice that comes your way. No one but you knows your complete and unique circumstances.
Third, I make up life as I go along, so take whatever I say with a large portion of salt. I rarely hesitate to offer my opinion and usually I take it as a given that everyone should understand it is an opinion.
So, here it is:
Oversizing the outboard on a sailboat can have terrible effects on the boat. 9.9hp seems appropriate for a 25' sailboat. Even that is more than enough power. Sailboats are not designed for powerful motors, they are designed to sail, which means keeping weight down where possible. This often means the transoms lack reinforcement. I have seen where motor brackets have gone right through the transom of a small sailboat.

I couldn't find the picture I remember seeing of a bracket punched right through the stern, but this is from an article at http://www.mariner1922.com/transom/ . Orion is a 1970 O'Day Mariner 19 who's transom began to crack under the weight and force on the motor mount. As a Mariner owner, myself, I participate in the Mariner Class Association Forum. Nobody uses more than a 6hp motor and most are in the 2 - 4 hp range. 2hp is usually enough to get these 1400 lb boats to hull speed against a stiff breeze in a small chop. Some owners even use a 55lb thrust electric trolling motor and claim good headway. That equates to just about 1+hp, I think (translation isn't exactly direct between lbs of thrust and hp. They measure different things).
For your 25, I would consider Roland's suggestion. You could replace the 20hp with a 6-10 hp motor and effectively get the boat for less money or a newer motor.

BTW, I see you are from Quebec, We are practically neighbors. I live an hour away from your Southern border.
Good luck and I look forward to reading more about your sailing adventures.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[jeangeorg]

Thanks for your input. I will drive to see the boat tomorrow and take pictures of the transom, engine and bracket to post.

 

[jeangeorg]

Hello, here are the photos of the 2009 H25 with the 20HP engine. Its a two stroke engine.

 

[jeangeorg]

It seems I can not just replace the engine, I need to replace the control module too.

 

[jeangeorg]

It seems I can not just replace the engine, I need to replace the control module too. I found on the Honda site that it is about 103 pounds http://marine.honda.ca/portables/BF20/specifications

 

[Will Gilmore]

I found on the Honda site that it is about 103 pounds

The specs for their 9.9 say the same thing, 103 lbs. That's under the classification of "portable". Price isn't that much better either.
Yamaha makes a 9.9 at 87 lbs.

-Will (Dragonfly)

 

[JRT]

First that is a 4 stroke 2 cylinder model, not a 2 stroke. That weight is probably for the short shaft model manual start (rope). Long shaft with electric is probably around 130 lbs. Sounds like it also has the remote controls, which is nice. If the boat works for you then take it and consider selling the motor and controls later for a lighter setup down the road. I'd just watch the transom area for cracks and never try going max throttle.

 

[GBGraham]

I had a similar problem and bought my H260 without it's 15hp engine. My boat is plate certified for a maximum of 7.5kw (10hp). Apart from any stress problems it could be a get out for your insurance company on any possible claim at later time.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

What many tend to forget sailboats generally are displacement hulls vs. the standard plaining hulls for powerboats. Thus sailboat manufacturers did not require a beefed up transom found on power boats except for the few power sailors built to accomodate higher hp engines up to a certain point. The standard norm accepted by the sailboat mfgs was a max of 10 hp. Even at full throttle for example a 9.9 on a Hunter 260, you will be plowing with the bow raising up slowing you down

 

[jeangeorg]

Thanks everyone for the advise. The boat is sold by a broker that specializes in motor boats. I am thinking of making an offer without the engine and controls. He should be able to find a customer for it. I think the engine is from 2012. Anyone knows what is it worth used ? It has the controls and is power tilt.

 

[Drew13440]

I would guess the motor and controls are worth at least $1500 if it is a 2012. FWIW, 8hp is more than enough to drive that boat at hull speed.