During the past year I've read a lot about motor size for the H26. My old 2stroke Suzuki 6hp just told me it's enough. We had some difficulties last year and I was hoping it should work out fine this year too. But now, after a two day test period, I'm ready for a new one. At this time it strikes me that a 15hp 4stroke is the same weight as a 9.9 and could serve me with a lot of extra power if needed. Then I remember Crazy Dave writing: don't overpower your boat. Why not ? If used with care ? Toomas
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Jim Covey
Transom design
Toomas, The specs on the H26 call for no more than 10HP. I've got a Honda 9.9 on my H26 and have never needed anything more. It may be different where you're at but, also here you don't have to register any outboard less than 10HP so it's a financial boon as well. Jim
Toomas, The specs on the H26 call for no more than 10HP. I've got a Honda 9.9 on my H26 and have never needed anything more. It may be different where you're at but, also here you don't have to register any outboard less than 10HP so it's a financial boon as well. Jim
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Rick Webb
My Understanding is
An outboard is happiest running at high RPM. The 9.9 is more than capable of running the boat at hull speed putting more HP behind it is just burning more fuel, stessing the boat more or running ineffeciently. An 8 HP motor is probably adequate and a 9.9 is the largest that even seems to make sense on one of these.
An outboard is happiest running at high RPM. The 9.9 is more than capable of running the boat at hull speed putting more HP behind it is just burning more fuel, stessing the boat more or running ineffeciently. An 8 HP motor is probably adequate and a 9.9 is the largest that even seems to make sense on one of these.
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R Sater
I run an 8HP Yamaha 4 stroke
On my H26 8 HP Seems to be all the power needed. I reach hull speed at just over half throttle. I agree that any more power is unnecessary. Save the $.
On my H26 8 HP Seems to be all the power needed. I reach hull speed at just over half throttle. I agree that any more power is unnecessary. Save the $.
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Al
I tend to agree, but...
...there WILL be times when you wish you had a little more juice. You don't need to go faster than a 9.9 in normal conditions, but you may need it to motor against or across a strong tide, wind, or current (especially when in a narrow harbor entrance). The extra weight of a 15 is the only drawback.
...there WILL be times when you wish you had a little more juice. You don't need to go faster than a 9.9 in normal conditions, but you may need it to motor against or across a strong tide, wind, or current (especially when in a narrow harbor entrance). The extra weight of a 15 is the only drawback.
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Colin
In waves bigger is better.
If you are going to be sailing coastal and anticpate hitting any real wave action I would go with the bigger engine and use a prop designed for push rather than speed. Same top speed as the smaller engine but more umph to get through waves.
If you are going to be sailing coastal and anticpate hitting any real wave action I would go with the bigger engine and use a prop designed for push rather than speed. Same top speed as the smaller engine but more umph to get through waves.
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Jeff D.
Power Thruster ?
Look at the Power Thruster for sale on this site. Only one review but seems positive. Anybody else have experience with this product? Could keep you at a 9.9 with other advantages.
Look at the Power Thruster for sale on this site. Only one review but seems positive. Anybody else have experience with this product? Could keep you at a 9.9 with other advantages.
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Frank Ladd
It's a sailboat!
1) You may damage the hull by using too much motor. 2) In heavy winds you should be sailing back to port. While you can motor sail to help you point closer to the wind your boat will sail well with just a deeply reefed main and no jib in high winds. 3)In light winds and waves a 5 HP motor will likely get you to hull speed and a 40 HP motor will not double that speed. The 10 HP motor will alow you to get to hull speed even in a chop but if there is a chop then there is wind and you should be.....sailing! 4) about 90% of these boats I see have a 10HP which is usually a detuned 15HP the same moter with the same low end torque but not the high end power you usually dont use on a Sail boat. Get the 10 or the 9.9HP
1) You may damage the hull by using too much motor. 2) In heavy winds you should be sailing back to port. While you can motor sail to help you point closer to the wind your boat will sail well with just a deeply reefed main and no jib in high winds. 3)In light winds and waves a 5 HP motor will likely get you to hull speed and a 40 HP motor will not double that speed. The 10 HP motor will alow you to get to hull speed even in a chop but if there is a chop then there is wind and you should be.....sailing! 4) about 90% of these boats I see have a 10HP which is usually a detuned 15HP the same moter with the same low end torque but not the high end power you usually dont use on a Sail boat. Get the 10 or the 9.9HP
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Tim Paul
I Have a 15
My boat came with a 15hp and I've had no problems. I sail on Lake Michigan and the extra power has come in handy many times. For example, severe chop often develops at the mouth of the channel leading to the lake from both weather and powerboaters or a combination of the two. The channel mouth can be crowded and it's not practical sail through it in rougher conditions. Perhaps there would be no difference with a 9.9 on the boat but I can say that having the extra hp gives me a little extra confidence. I've also seen comparable sized boats with smaller engines struggle in conditions that I've been able to power through.
My boat came with a 15hp and I've had no problems. I sail on Lake Michigan and the extra power has come in handy many times. For example, severe chop often develops at the mouth of the channel leading to the lake from both weather and powerboaters or a combination of the two. The channel mouth can be crowded and it's not practical sail through it in rougher conditions. Perhaps there would be no difference with a 9.9 on the boat but I can say that having the extra hp gives me a little extra confidence. I've also seen comparable sized boats with smaller engines struggle in conditions that I've been able to power through.
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toomas
Thank you all for your support
Now I've chosen the typical swedish way: "lagom", that's not too much, just about enough. And that's a 9,9 - not an 8 or a 15. You've pointed at many pro's and con's and since I spend most of the time cruising around among the 25000 islands and very seldom out in the open sea, the 9,9 will take me home safely in most conditions. And Gerard, the sailing in Stockholm is an adventure. I've been here for more than 20 years, and I always find new islands to visit and explore - and if I get fed up with the camping part it's just about 1 day sailing right into the centre of Stockholm. Or even closer to one of many seaside restaurants. Soon my Celeste (with new power) will be ready. toomas
Now I've chosen the typical swedish way: "lagom", that's not too much, just about enough. And that's a 9,9 - not an 8 or a 15. You've pointed at many pro's and con's and since I spend most of the time cruising around among the 25000 islands and very seldom out in the open sea, the 9,9 will take me home safely in most conditions. And Gerard, the sailing in Stockholm is an adventure. I've been here for more than 20 years, and I always find new islands to visit and explore - and if I get fed up with the camping part it's just about 1 day sailing right into the centre of Stockholm. Or even closer to one of many seaside restaurants. Soon my Celeste (with new power) will be ready. toomas
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