Four part question. Have you ever had the prop come out of the water in waves? If so, how severe were the conditions? Has anyone ever had a 25” extra long shaft prop come out of the water in waves? If so, how severe were the conditions? Does Power Thruster help? Some have lowered the motor. Has anyone ever had his or her motor pooped by a following sea to the point of cutting out altogether?
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Prop out of water
Even with a long shaft there will be conditions where the prop will cavitate. If this is a major concern get a boat with an inboard. When in rough following seas I'm usually more concerned with sail trim and trying to maintain way. If I'm under power I try to manage the throttle to minimize cavitation. I've never had an engine quit under these circumstances; not sure I'd have any alternative but to head up and tough it out. I sure don't want to be trying to revive an engine in heavy seas. I guess this is a good question for the "what would you do" section?
Even with a long shaft there will be conditions where the prop will cavitate. If this is a major concern get a boat with an inboard. When in rough following seas I'm usually more concerned with sail trim and trying to maintain way. If I'm under power I try to manage the throttle to minimize cavitation. I've never had an engine quit under these circumstances; not sure I'd have any alternative but to head up and tough it out. I sure don't want to be trying to revive an engine in heavy seas. I guess this is a good question for the "what would you do" section?
All the above
I had a San Juan 21 with a 4 HP 2 cycle that got flooded out because of a following sea, the winds were 35-40 kts. The motor died, we were under bare poles, The only thing I could do was set the anchor with the bitter end tied to the mast step and waite out the storm at anchor. The next morning I brought the motor into the cockpit and started to pull the carburator to clean it, took out the spark plug and turned over the motor to get the water out of the cylinder. I was very lucky, after droping some oil in the cylinder and putting it back together it started up and has been fine since. On our Hunter 260 I had a 9.8 2 cyle short shaft that on a trip to Bimini from Miami the motor would come out of the water and over rev, making a racket, I did have the Power Thruster on the o/b and in that respect I don't think it made a difference. When setting the anchor, the weight of the person up forward would also over rev the prop I now have a 9.8 4 cycle extra long shaft and am very happy with it, the only thing I worry about is that the lower housing is lower than the center board in the up position, but I haven't had any problems. Knock on teak. John USNret
I had a San Juan 21 with a 4 HP 2 cycle that got flooded out because of a following sea, the winds were 35-40 kts. The motor died, we were under bare poles, The only thing I could do was set the anchor with the bitter end tied to the mast step and waite out the storm at anchor. The next morning I brought the motor into the cockpit and started to pull the carburator to clean it, took out the spark plug and turned over the motor to get the water out of the cylinder. I was very lucky, after droping some oil in the cylinder and putting it back together it started up and has been fine since. On our Hunter 260 I had a 9.8 2 cyle short shaft that on a trip to Bimini from Miami the motor would come out of the water and over rev, making a racket, I did have the Power Thruster on the o/b and in that respect I don't think it made a difference. When setting the anchor, the weight of the person up forward would also over rev the prop I now have a 9.8 4 cycle extra long shaft and am very happy with it, the only thing I worry about is that the lower housing is lower than the center board in the up position, but I haven't had any problems. Knock on teak. John USNret
outboard
Thanks all for insight. I viewed the picture of the 9.8 Tohatsu with Power Thruster. It appears that if I put a Power Thruster on my 9.9 25” Honda I will be able to motor without problems in ocean conditions that are reasonable for this size boat without having to reposition the motor.
Thanks all for insight. I viewed the picture of the 9.8 Tohatsu with Power Thruster. It appears that if I put a Power Thruster on my 9.9 25” Honda I will be able to motor without problems in ocean conditions that are reasonable for this size boat without having to reposition the motor.
20" shaft in waves -yes
Our 20" shaft will pop out and overrev in waves above 2' if they're coming from the right/wrong direction. It does make a big racket. We don't have separate motor controls -2 cycle Nissan 5 hp on a Hunter 240 so it's a bend over and throttle down/then throttle back up after everything calms down scenario. Ken
Our 20" shaft will pop out and overrev in waves above 2' if they're coming from the right/wrong direction. It does make a big racket. We don't have separate motor controls -2 cycle Nissan 5 hp on a Hunter 240 so it's a bend over and throttle down/then throttle back up after everything calms down scenario. Ken
extra long shaft
shaft lengths come in 15, 20 or 25 inch shaft lengths. You may have the 20. If so, contact your Honda dealer to see if the 25 shaft length may be put on and if so, then decide on the cost. I think adding the power thruster or the cone shape is not the answer.
shaft lengths come in 15, 20 or 25 inch shaft lengths. You may have the 20. If so, contact your Honda dealer to see if the 25 shaft length may be put on and if so, then decide on the cost. I think adding the power thruster or the cone shape is not the answer.
LONG SHAFT
Thanks for info. Found after much research that my Honda is a 20”. Parts can be had to extend. This costs then installing costs. Think I will upgrade to 15hp extra shaft, big prop (for lower rpm cursing) no Thruster for now. This reserve power may be useful for motering in currents, wind and waves if I get caught were the windage of the hull and rigging is greater than the amount of sail our 260 will stand up to. With second reef. No choice, have to motor.
Thanks for info. Found after much research that my Honda is a 20”. Parts can be had to extend. This costs then installing costs. Think I will upgrade to 15hp extra shaft, big prop (for lower rpm cursing) no Thruster for now. This reserve power may be useful for motering in currents, wind and waves if I get caught were the windage of the hull and rigging is greater than the amount of sail our 260 will stand up to. With second reef. No choice, have to motor.
Old Honda kept running with a LOT of water over it
I had an old (80's model?) Honda 9.9hp 4 stroke on one side of the transom of a heavy English cutter style 27 footer. On one tack it would cavitate sometimes, and on the other tack it would get waves right over it. The seal was good on the cover, and it continued to run at times that I thought it would surely drown. I think motors have gotten even better seals since then. Look at the Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke high thrust long shaft. It may push your boat as well as a 15 because it has a reduction gear built in and can handle a big prop. If you have an adjustable outboard bracket, you can put the motor up or down more as needed. There will still be times when it will cavitate, but it gives you more options. Also, with an adjustable bracket, you can get it out of the water. If even the tip of the outboard stays in the water, it will corrode a lot faster than if it's not in contact.
I had an old (80's model?) Honda 9.9hp 4 stroke on one side of the transom of a heavy English cutter style 27 footer. On one tack it would cavitate sometimes, and on the other tack it would get waves right over it. The seal was good on the cover, and it continued to run at times that I thought it would surely drown. I think motors have gotten even better seals since then. Look at the Yamaha 9.9hp 4 stroke high thrust long shaft. It may push your boat as well as a 15 because it has a reduction gear built in and can handle a big prop. If you have an adjustable outboard bracket, you can put the motor up or down more as needed. There will still be times when it will cavitate, but it gives you more options. Also, with an adjustable bracket, you can get it out of the water. If even the tip of the outboard stays in the water, it will corrode a lot faster than if it's not in contact.
H260 Outboard
Although the 15 hp is little more than a souped up 9.9, Hunter recommends no more than 10 hp for this boat. I think it has something to do with the additional torque produced by the larger engine. There have been problems with the outboard bracket bending and cracks forming around the bracket. With the longer shaft you should have no major problems with cavitation and you'll save some money to boot.
Although the 15 hp is little more than a souped up 9.9, Hunter recommends no more than 10 hp for this boat. I think it has something to do with the additional torque produced by the larger engine. There have been problems with the outboard bracket bending and cracks forming around the bracket. With the longer shaft you should have no major problems with cavitation and you'll save some money to boot.
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