I want to replace my 9.9 two stroke with a quieter 4 stroke. Would a 15 hp 4 stroke be a mistake to mount on my 260. I would like to have a little more power at times.
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15 horses on a 260
It can be done but you don't really gain much in performance. You do risk cracking/bending the motor mounts and cracking the fiberglass at the mount, and definitely are exceeding the manufacturer's recommendations and likely voiding the warranty. A 9.9 4 stroke would be the better choice if you're looking for a quieter engine. Steve
It can be done but you don't really gain much in performance. You do risk cracking/bending the motor mounts and cracking the fiberglass at the mount, and definitely are exceeding the manufacturer's recommendations and likely voiding the warranty. A 9.9 4 stroke would be the better choice if you're looking for a quieter engine. Steve
h26 motor
Stan, Local conditions in TX may require more power than I need here in the Bay of Banderas, but I have a Honda 8 hp four stroke on my h26 and it's more than enough. If I had it to do over, I'd get an 8 hp two stroke because of the lesser weight and lower price. David King "Molly"
Stan, Local conditions in TX may require more power than I need here in the Bay of Banderas, but I have a Honda 8 hp four stroke on my h26 and it's more than enough. If I had it to do over, I'd get an 8 hp two stroke because of the lesser weight and lower price. David King "Molly"
High Thrust
Several companies make a high thrust model of the 8 and 9.9 HP engines. These use a larger propeller with slower rpms. For a sailboat that is moving at perhaps 6mph this is probably a better option. I think you would be more pleased with a lower HP but high thrust model.
Several companies make a high thrust model of the 8 and 9.9 HP engines. These use a larger propeller with slower rpms. For a sailboat that is moving at perhaps 6mph this is probably a better option. I think you would be more pleased with a lower HP but high thrust model.
Mercury 9.9
Stan, I have a Mercury 9.9 four stroke, and at 3/4 throttle I hit about 6.5 knots. Full throttle does not yield anymore speed. The reason is the 260 hull speed is about 6.5 Knots. So I don't believe the bigger motor will give you anymore speed, but will definitly give you the problems mentioned by Steve, and documented on this forum previously.
Stan, I have a Mercury 9.9 four stroke, and at 3/4 throttle I hit about 6.5 knots. Full throttle does not yield anymore speed. The reason is the 260 hull speed is about 6.5 Knots. So I don't believe the bigger motor will give you anymore speed, but will definitly give you the problems mentioned by Steve, and documented on this forum previously.
15HP on a H 260
Stan, Our H26 came with a 15 HP four stroke Honda. The previous owner had opted for this aling with the longer shaft. The down sides as pointed out in previous posts are possible. I haven't seen any cracks in the fibreglass but the 15 definitely weighs more than the 9.9. I don't think the additional H.P. makes the boat go any faster. If I had to buy a new one I'd probably go with the 9.9. Cheaper and easier to tote around. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Stan, Our H26 came with a 15 HP four stroke Honda. The previous owner had opted for this aling with the longer shaft. The down sides as pointed out in previous posts are possible. I haven't seen any cracks in the fibreglass but the 15 definitely weighs more than the 9.9. I don't think the additional H.P. makes the boat go any faster. If I had to buy a new one I'd probably go with the 9.9. Cheaper and easier to tote around. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Check the archives, depending on the...
...manufacturer, the weight may be the same. You won't get faster than hull speed through the water, but against very high winds and chop it will be more effective IF conditions allow you too use the extra power. alan
...manufacturer, the weight may be the same. You won't get faster than hull speed through the water, but against very high winds and chop it will be more effective IF conditions allow you too use the extra power. alan
8 hp enough
Its all I have. Been on there for three years now. Goes just fine. Yamaha four stroke with power lift electric start, remote controls. Simply brilliant.
Its all I have. Been on there for three years now. Goes just fine. Yamaha four stroke with power lift electric start, remote controls. Simply brilliant.
motor
the outboard motor bracket is designed for only up to 10 hp. Should you go over and there is damage, you have no claim. As for performance you do not gain anything. In most cases, the 15 hp is simply the 9.9 but with carburetor adjusted for the extra hp.
the outboard motor bracket is designed for only up to 10 hp. Should you go over and there is damage, you have no claim. As for performance you do not gain anything. In most cases, the 15 hp is simply the 9.9 but with carburetor adjusted for the extra hp.
You must be experts....
I ran a 15 hp Nissan on a 94 H26 for 7 years while I owned it, the current owner is still running it without issue... even trailered it on the boat. And we ran it often and hard, due to a 4.5 knot current we had to over come out of our mooring area. It's a personal choice.. our H dealer sold and installed so wasn't concerned about the warrenty in the early years... It would exceed hull speed of over 7.5 knots.. had nice battery charging, and electric start. Weight was the same as the 9.9. Hey in ocean sailing you need all you can get.. that's why we sold the boat and got a safer fixed keel! Never heard of anyone breaking a motor bracket.. or beyond.. If you think a 15 would do damage then you better throw all your 9.9s away and go for a electric trowing motor to be safe... be serious!
I ran a 15 hp Nissan on a 94 H26 for 7 years while I owned it, the current owner is still running it without issue... even trailered it on the boat. And we ran it often and hard, due to a 4.5 knot current we had to over come out of our mooring area. It's a personal choice.. our H dealer sold and installed so wasn't concerned about the warrenty in the early years... It would exceed hull speed of over 7.5 knots.. had nice battery charging, and electric start. Weight was the same as the 9.9. Hey in ocean sailing you need all you can get.. that's why we sold the boat and got a safer fixed keel! Never heard of anyone breaking a motor bracket.. or beyond.. If you think a 15 would do damage then you better throw all your 9.9s away and go for a electric trowing motor to be safe... be serious!
Steve, the 260 and 26 motor mounts are...
...completely different. SOME manufacturers 15s are the same motor (same weight) as their 9.9s and some are quite a bit larger. The 260's seem to have a weaker mount, stainless steel on the 260 vs. heavy teak block on the 26. As far as exceeding hull speed, it's possible even under sail but unusual needing exactly the right conditions. As I said below a larger motor, unless powerful enough to overcome the bow wave, will not increase your hull speed with respect to the water. So ,under usual conditions the boats OVER THE BOTTOM SPEED against your 4.5 knot current will be about 2 knots. A larger motor will counteract chop and wind. My 26 under no current, wind, and chop conditions with an 8hp at wot goes the same speed (GPS) as my friend's 260 with a 9.9hp Did you get your speed from a GPS (over the bottom speed) or from a true knot meter (through the water speed)? It's physics. Anyway, when my old johnson 8 becomes an anchor, I plan on getting a 15 four stroke. I enjoy sailing under exciting conditions and want the extra charging and other goodies. I guess it should be stated that in the end, hull speed is theoretical based on calculations. Actual through the water speed depends on water conditions and attack angles. The more powerful motor will get you a very slight speed increase. The operative word is slight until you start climbing over the waves your boat makes which takes a much larger motor that won't fit on these boats. alan
...completely different. SOME manufacturers 15s are the same motor (same weight) as their 9.9s and some are quite a bit larger. The 260's seem to have a weaker mount, stainless steel on the 260 vs. heavy teak block on the 26. As far as exceeding hull speed, it's possible even under sail but unusual needing exactly the right conditions. As I said below a larger motor, unless powerful enough to overcome the bow wave, will not increase your hull speed with respect to the water. So ,under usual conditions the boats OVER THE BOTTOM SPEED against your 4.5 knot current will be about 2 knots. A larger motor will counteract chop and wind. My 26 under no current, wind, and chop conditions with an 8hp at wot goes the same speed (GPS) as my friend's 260 with a 9.9hp Did you get your speed from a GPS (over the bottom speed) or from a true knot meter (through the water speed)? It's physics. Anyway, when my old johnson 8 becomes an anchor, I plan on getting a 15 four stroke. I enjoy sailing under exciting conditions and want the extra charging and other goodies. I guess it should be stated that in the end, hull speed is theoretical based on calculations. Actual through the water speed depends on water conditions and attack angles. The more powerful motor will get you a very slight speed increase. The operative word is slight until you start climbing over the waves your boat makes which takes a much larger motor that won't fit on these boats. alan
Motor mount rated to 10 hp max
Go ahead and put the heavier larger engines on but in the event of an accident involving too large a motor, you have insurance to deal with and I wonder about state and federal agencies? YOu do not get anything over 10 hp.
Go ahead and put the heavier larger engines on but in the event of an accident involving too large a motor, you have insurance to deal with and I wonder about state and federal agencies? YOu do not get anything over 10 hp.
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