Outboard horesepower for my C22

[hudson_rogue]

Hello again. I'm in the process of winterizing my C22. I realize I have a Suzuki DF4A which came with the boat when I bought it. This seems like it mght be undersized? Is a 4HP engine of any use with my C22? I mainly need it in dead wind situations, for docking, and maybe if we just need to get somewhere. I am on the Hudson so am dealing with currents. I am unsure if this motor is the right one for my uses.

I found this thread after posting, but will leave my post up: Is 4HP Outboard Good for a Catalina 22?

 

[AaronD]

The most-recommended outboard for a C-22 is the Tohatsu 6 hp. We used one for several seasons, and can confirm that 6 is more than enough for a C-22, even when fairly heavily loaded for cruising. That said, we normally cruised at 1/4-1/3 throttle, so I think 4 would have been adequate (and this summer we found we cruised our CY26 on 1-2 kW, or ~1.3-2.6 hp).

If your 4 is running smoothly, my recommendation is to use it for a season or two and decide if you're regularly wishing for more power. My guess is you'll find the answer is no. If you do decide to upgrade, the Tohatsu 6 "Sailpro" model comes with an extra-long shaft and small alternator - worth looking at.

 

[SailingLoto]

A 4hp long shaft tohatsu with a high thrust prop pushed my c25 5 knots.

 

[dlochner]

For a 22' boat a 4-6hp motor is more than enough power. The advantage to the 6 hp over the 4 hp is not increased boat speed, rather it is having a little more power when going upwind in choppy seas. The boat's speed is more limited by the waterline length and hull form than horse power. A larger engine will add more weight to the stern which will affect boat trim. Typically the 4 hp, 5 hp, and 6 hp outboards from the same manufacturer have the same weight, the power differences are due to different carburetors.

 

[Rich Fox]

A lot depends on where you are sailing. If sailing on an inland lake or reservoir, then a 4HP is fine. If coastal, Great Lakes, or other body of water with a lot of current or larger waves, then it may be a little struggle.

I have a Honda 5HP for Great Lakes and KY Lake use. I have a Mercury 3.5 for racing and inland/reservoir sailing. Both will easily get my C22 Sport up to hull speed. I had a Honda 2.3HP for small inland lake/reservoir sailing, but it was not able to get the boat quite up to hull speed, although it would exceed 5 MPH in flat water with no current.

Honda 5HP and Tohatsu 6HP are very popular outboards in the Catalina 22 sailing community. Anything much larger is probably an over-kill in most cases and puts a lot of unnecessary weight into the transom of the boat - killing sailing performance.

-Rich

 

[ShawnL]

Can totally confirm. We have a 2-stroke Mercury 9.9 It's overkill. It came with the boat so we're using it until we can't -- with regular servicing it runs well and at 1/4 to 1/3 throttle we can plow through anything we might want to (or not want to) in Lake Superior. If I had to buy a new outboard, I'd go with the 6, or whatever the smallest one with electric start is. My wife is not a fan of the pull-start and if something happened where I could not pull the engine a couple of times, things could get unpleasant.

The 9.9 is a beast, too heavy, and makes it tough to trailer when it's on the mount. It needs to run just above idle, etc. Though it will push us at 6.5mph at 1/2 throttle no problem. Whatever we might be in. If you're sailing in a place with significant current, I'd look at a long shaft or extra long shaft with a prop made for sailboats -- High torque at lower speeds, etc. It's not like you're just trying to get on plane.

 

[Gene Neill]

How long is the shaft on that Suzuki? Is it a DF4AL, or a DF4AS?

If it's an "S" you have a short shaft, and I personally would start looking for a good deal on a 6HP long shaft. Better yet, extra long shaft.

If it's a long shaft (DF4AL), you will probably be satisfied with it.

 

[ambler]

For several years I had an Evinrude 4.5 hp. It was 35 years old and probably delivered less than 4.5. It could push my C22 to hull speed. However, once I had to return to the marina in a 20mph headwind and it was barely enough - about 1mph SOG. I'm on an inland lake so no currents or tides. With that headwind plus a current it probably wouldn't have been enough. I now have a Tohatsu 6hp long shaft and love it.

 

[Captain Grey Beard]

I've got a Mercury 5hp sail power. It's propane.
Works well, pushes the boat to speed before about 1/2 throttle. It's got an alternator/charging circuit for the battery.
I chose propane because my BBQ and galley stove are also propane, And I only wanted to deal with one fuel type. It also allows for a propane heat source if I decide to extend my cruising season into the winter months.