Apparently the end is near, because my "it will run forever" 1971 British Seagull has gone to that great big transom in the sky. I need to replace it, and having a limited budget, and there being no used long shafts for sale around here, it seems like I have only a couple of options. So, please, if anyone has any comments on any of these, let me know. a) the tohatsu / nissan / mercury 3.5 hp long shaft: does this have enough power / thrust to manuever around the harbor, or get me home if i need it? b) an electric trolling motor: same question as about, also, how much thrust would i need? how to i set up the batteries? how long will they hold a charge? how long can the engine run off a full battery (lugging a heavy battery back and forth daily holds on appeal) c) short shaft: can I use a short shaft from the engine well, or does it have to be on one of those brackets? how hard is it to install a bracket, can it be done while the boat is in the water? Thanks a lot. Dan
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Outboard thoughts
Dan - I had a four hp engine on my much lighter Daysailer and it was just right. I'd think 3.3 would be too small to move a mariner the way you'll want it to move. Flat water and no wind, maybe. I've done the trolling motor routine and I'd say skip it. There are trolling motors with enough torque to move the boat. They will not, however, move it very quickly since trolling motors are designed to move heavy things slowly. They are not like outboards that will move heavy things slowly and light things more quickly. They will move all things they are cabable of moving at about the same speed. Add to that the short running times and the fact that you can't refuel and the water and I thought the experience pretty sour. I bought an outboard two weeks into my trolling motor experience. - Hey I've got one you can buy cheap...
Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Dan - I had a four hp engine on my much lighter Daysailer and it was just right. I'd think 3.3 would be too small to move a mariner the way you'll want it to move. Flat water and no wind, maybe. I've done the trolling motor routine and I'd say skip it. There are trolling motors with enough torque to move the boat. They will not, however, move it very quickly since trolling motors are designed to move heavy things slowly. They are not like outboards that will move heavy things slowly and light things more quickly. They will move all things they are cabable of moving at about the same speed. Add to that the short running times and the fact that you can't refuel and the water and I thought the experience pretty sour. I bought an outboard two weeks into my trolling motor experience. - Hey I've got one you can buy cheap...
Justin - O'day Owners' Webcertainly nothing under 4hp
We have a 6hp on our mariner and I am glad that we have the power, when we are up against some swells, wind or just HUGE wakes that the fishing/large sport boats make. We bought our 2001 merc 6 from these guys -- http://www.smalloutboards.com/ It works great. There appears to be a 6hp johnson LS there that would be perfect for your mariner. Good luck. H. hey --
We have a 6hp on our mariner and I am glad that we have the power, when we are up against some swells, wind or just HUGE wakes that the fishing/large sport boats make. We bought our 2001 merc 6 from these guys -- http://www.smalloutboards.com/ It works great. There appears to be a 6hp johnson LS there that would be perfect for your mariner. Good luck. H. hey --
4hp works
I've got a new long shaft tohastu 4 stroke 4 hp on my 63 Mariner. Plenty of power to get up to hull speed. Small fuel tank is a drawback, but I'm working on a solution for that.... A long shaft is needed if you want to use the transom mount. A short shaft would require a bracket to get low enough.
I've got a new long shaft tohastu 4 stroke 4 hp on my 63 Mariner. Plenty of power to get up to hull speed. Small fuel tank is a drawback, but I'm working on a solution for that.... A long shaft is needed if you want to use the transom mount. A short shaft would require a bracket to get low enough.
I disagree...
Hello- I have a 4hp 4 stroke and a 2.2hp 2 stroke. The former is a mid 90's model and the later is a 1984. The 2.2hp Mariner is more than enough to propel the Mariner in any conditions. I sail and race in Buzzards Bay which is both choppy and windy. I never felt the need to use my 4hp. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck, Craig
Hello- I have a 4hp 4 stroke and a 2.2hp 2 stroke. The former is a mid 90's model and the later is a 1984. The 2.2hp Mariner is more than enough to propel the Mariner in any conditions. I sail and race in Buzzards Bay which is both choppy and windy. I never felt the need to use my 4hp. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck, Craig
Outboard Power
I used a Johnson 3 HP on my O'Day 22 for many years. I now have a "6"..the "6" is better, but the "3" worked fine. At that time I was on the Hudson River with strong tides and heavy ship traffic. Not only HP, but weight is very important. For your boat I would suggest a 4 to 5 HP 2 cycle outboard (under 50 lbs.)...it will do a good job. As a point of information Spring Point Marina in South Portland, Maine (207-767-3254) has a new Johnson long shaft 4 HP on their floor at a pretty fair price...I was going to buy it myself, but the wife needs a new lawn mower! Good Luck!
I used a Johnson 3 HP on my O'Day 22 for many years. I now have a "6"..the "6" is better, but the "3" worked fine. At that time I was on the Hudson River with strong tides and heavy ship traffic. Not only HP, but weight is very important. For your boat I would suggest a 4 to 5 HP 2 cycle outboard (under 50 lbs.)...it will do a good job. As a point of information Spring Point Marina in South Portland, Maine (207-767-3254) has a new Johnson long shaft 4 HP on their floor at a pretty fair price...I was going to buy it myself, but the wife needs a new lawn mower! Good Luck!
How much HP?
I had an Evinrude 4 LS that was only a few years old, but the mechanic I rely on advised that it was a little weak for my marina with strong tidal currents. I ended up with a new leftover 1999 Yamaha 6 (good price) and have NO regrets. It may be more power than I need, but it starts on the first or second pull, does not stall (which the Evinrude would do at the most inconvenient times) and the extra weight is not a problem. It is also nice to have the reverse gear to slow the boat when entering the slip with the tide pushing you in. Works much better than the 180 spin with the Evinrude.
I had an Evinrude 4 LS that was only a few years old, but the mechanic I rely on advised that it was a little weak for my marina with strong tidal currents. I ended up with a new leftover 1999 Yamaha 6 (good price) and have NO regrets. It may be more power than I need, but it starts on the first or second pull, does not stall (which the Evinrude would do at the most inconvenient times) and the extra weight is not a problem. It is also nice to have the reverse gear to slow the boat when entering the slip with the tide pushing you in. Works much better than the 180 spin with the Evinrude.
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