Hey motorheads, I've just ordered a 260 and now must decide between the Honda 4cycle 9.9 or 15hp motors. The new 15 and 20hp motors are now essentially the same engine but weight about 10 lbs more than the 9.9 (about 115 vs 105 lbs). I'd like the larger motor for dealing with wind and current and hopefully get more speed. Does anyone have experience with 15hp? Will my motor mount be twisted into a pretzel? Any advice appreciated. I'll be sailing in the Columbia River and Puget Sound. Thanks, Kevin
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15 mph
I struggle with the same problem. I have a 260 ahd I use a 15 hp 2 stroke I brought from my previous boat. I some times(often) have to motor into 20 - 30 mph winds. I do not know if a 9.9 would do as well. The 15 gets me where I want to go. Being in columbia where you are you may have some significant wind. ct
I struggle with the same problem. I have a 260 ahd I use a 15 hp 2 stroke I brought from my previous boat. I some times(often) have to motor into 20 - 30 mph winds. I do not know if a 9.9 would do as well. The 15 gets me where I want to go. Being in columbia where you are you may have some significant wind. ct
ps
Remember you can not likely exceed hull speed so more hp will not translate into more speed. It depends on what forces you have to work against. ct
Remember you can not likely exceed hull speed so more hp will not translate into more speed. It depends on what forces you have to work against. ct
Welcome to the 260 family
As a matter of interest for you I fitted a Yamaha 4 stroke 8hp model number FT8D. It has remote controlls, electric start and power tilt. I have tiller steerring and have mounted the control box on the port side of the stern locker/seat. I made a "home made" steering rod assembly so that the motor turns with the rudder. Makes it very very easy to steer. It has a quick release mechanism like the Z steer model. It means that I can raise the motor when sailing and lower it with ease. The electric start and remote controll makes operation a breeze. Many may say that 8hp is probably not enough but I can asure you it is more than plenty. We have motored in 40 knot winds in pretty big seas and the motor handles it with ease.
As a matter of interest for you I fitted a Yamaha 4 stroke 8hp model number FT8D. It has remote controlls, electric start and power tilt. I have tiller steerring and have mounted the control box on the port side of the stern locker/seat. I made a "home made" steering rod assembly so that the motor turns with the rudder. Makes it very very easy to steer. It has a quick release mechanism like the Z steer model. It means that I can raise the motor when sailing and lower it with ease. The electric start and remote controll makes operation a breeze. Many may say that 8hp is probably not enough but I can asure you it is more than plenty. We have motored in 40 knot winds in pretty big seas and the motor handles it with ease.
My 8 hp....
...on my H26 will push the boat nearly to hull speed - so I can't imagine needing more than 15. I did replace the prop as the stock prop was meant for moving a smaller craft more quickly through the water. On the 26, I didn’t have any further acceleration past ½ throttle. Too much pitch. I put a flatter prop on it, and it made all the difference in the world.
...on my H26 will push the boat nearly to hull speed - so I can't imagine needing more than 15. I did replace the prop as the stock prop was meant for moving a smaller craft more quickly through the water. On the 26, I didn’t have any further acceleration past ½ throttle. Too much pitch. I put a flatter prop on it, and it made all the difference in the world.
9.9 is probably enough
I have an 8hp and it is more than enough to bring the boat up to hull speed and a bit more. I sail on lakes, however. With current you may want a bit more but I strongly suspect a 9.9 will be more than adequate even in current.
I have an 8hp and it is more than enough to bring the boat up to hull speed and a bit more. I sail on lakes, however. With current you may want a bit more but I strongly suspect a 9.9 will be more than adequate even in current.
15hp Torque
I think there may have been problems with 15 hp engines torquing out the motor mount. Seems like Jim Seamans may have written something on this. Markdb
I think there may have been problems with 15 hp engines torquing out the motor mount. Seems like Jim Seamans may have written something on this. Markdb
Kevin, I have a 9.9 and wish I had a 15hp.
I too motor through a lot of current in my 25.5. There have been several times I was a knot or two from being pushed backwards. I know to other guys at the dock that did upgrade to 15hp and they wouldn't go back to a 9.9. I plan to get a 15hp if my 9.9 ever dies. Unfortunetly this Honda will outlive me. Ted
I too motor through a lot of current in my 25.5. There have been several times I was a knot or two from being pushed backwards. I know to other guys at the dock that did upgrade to 15hp and they wouldn't go back to a 9.9. I plan to get a 15hp if my 9.9 ever dies. Unfortunetly this Honda will outlive me. Ted
9.9 hp for 260
Kevin, I have a 9.9 on my 260 and it is more than adequate for the tidal currents at Beaufort S.C. The average range is 6 ft. and flows at the sea wall at the city park may hit 3 knots or more. The owner's manual recomends between 8 and 10 hp.for this boat. Anything more and you may void your warranty. Steve Kamp
Kevin, I have a 9.9 on my 260 and it is more than adequate for the tidal currents at Beaufort S.C. The average range is 6 ft. and flows at the sea wall at the city park may hit 3 knots or more. The owner's manual recomends between 8 and 10 hp.for this boat. Anything more and you may void your warranty. Steve Kamp
High Thrust Needed
Theoretically 4 HP is all you need to drive the weight of a 26 ft H260 at max hull speed. So double it for lots of wind. I have a 9.9 Yamaha 4-stroke High Thrust (T9.9-series, not F-series) with the large 12 inch diameter three bladed prop on it. Anything past half throtle does nothing to increase the speed. I would get a high thrust 8 HP 4-stroke with electric tilt if it weren't for only having a 6amp alternator. The 9.9 has a 10amp. There is a difference in 2 and 4 stroke thrust. Probably a 2-stroke with a small prop needs a 10 HP model. Remember, when you tow, you don't want a heavy pendulum swaying your trailer down the highway. -Nils Anderson
Theoretically 4 HP is all you need to drive the weight of a 26 ft H260 at max hull speed. So double it for lots of wind. I have a 9.9 Yamaha 4-stroke High Thrust (T9.9-series, not F-series) with the large 12 inch diameter three bladed prop on it. Anything past half throtle does nothing to increase the speed. I would get a high thrust 8 HP 4-stroke with electric tilt if it weren't for only having a 6amp alternator. The 9.9 has a 10amp. There is a difference in 2 and 4 stroke thrust. Probably a 2-stroke with a small prop needs a 10 HP model. Remember, when you tow, you don't want a heavy pendulum swaying your trailer down the highway. -Nils Anderson
What about the ThrustMaster?
I ordered one of those ThrustMasters since folks who installeded them recommended them highly. I probably don't need it with a Honda 9.9 on my smaller 95H23.5, but I was running out of things to buy for my boat.
Perhaps a 9.9 with a ThrustMaster on a 260 is a good compromise? I haven't installed it yet so I don't have anything to report myself. People said the increased accelleration, especially in reverse, was most noticiable. I figured that sounded worthwhile. Also, the same speed can be had with a bit less throttle which translates to less gas and maybe less wear on the engine. Yes, gas is cheap, but my gas can is small...
I ordered one of those ThrustMasters since folks who installeded them recommended them highly. I probably don't need it with a Honda 9.9 on my smaller 95H23.5, but I was running out of things to buy for my boat.
Perhaps a 9.9 with a ThrustMaster on a 260 is a good compromise? I haven't installed it yet so I don't have anything to report myself. People said the increased accelleration, especially in reverse, was most noticiable. I figured that sounded worthwhile. Also, the same speed can be had with a bit less throttle which translates to less gas and maybe less wear on the engine. Yes, gas is cheap, but my gas can is small...9.9 is fine, 15 is too much...
Welcome to the club! When I went through this process, I contacted Hunter and they recommended NOT to get the 15 HP, said that the extra power might stress the motor mount too much. I went with a 9.9 4 stroke and it has more than enough power, seldom push it above 1/2 throttle. Speed through water doesn't matter if you are going with or against a current, you're not going past the hull speed of the boat (at least not with a 15 vs 9.9 HP motor). For the 260, that is about 6 knots, so if you are fighting a 3 knot current, your going no faster than 3 knots over ground, no matter what size engine you put on. Fighting the wind is a different story, and extra HP could help, but if the mount breaks, what good is the engine going to be? Finally, a bigger motor costs more and adds weight on the stern where you really don't want to add any more (although many 9.9 and 15 HP motors are the same except for the carb. so that negates the weight difference). Good luck with your new boat... Tom
Welcome to the club! When I went through this process, I contacted Hunter and they recommended NOT to get the 15 HP, said that the extra power might stress the motor mount too much. I went with a 9.9 4 stroke and it has more than enough power, seldom push it above 1/2 throttle. Speed through water doesn't matter if you are going with or against a current, you're not going past the hull speed of the boat (at least not with a 15 vs 9.9 HP motor). For the 260, that is about 6 knots, so if you are fighting a 3 knot current, your going no faster than 3 knots over ground, no matter what size engine you put on. Fighting the wind is a different story, and extra HP could help, but if the mount breaks, what good is the engine going to be? Finally, a bigger motor costs more and adds weight on the stern where you really don't want to add any more (although many 9.9 and 15 HP motors are the same except for the carb. so that negates the weight difference). Good luck with your new boat... Tom
15 HP Honda
Kevin, Our H26 came with a 15 HP four stroke long shaft. As been previously stated, no matter what you are not going to go above hull speed which I can atest to. My motor mount has not twisted into a pretzel. Yes, it does add some additional weight on the starboard side but in comparison to the 9.9 it's probably only about 10-15 lbs additional. We leave our boat in all year round. Have only had to take the motor off once.It was not easy due to the weight. That may be a consideration for you if you're intending to remove the motor and trailer. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
Kevin, Our H26 came with a 15 HP four stroke long shaft. As been previously stated, no matter what you are not going to go above hull speed which I can atest to. My motor mount has not twisted into a pretzel. Yes, it does add some additional weight on the starboard side but in comparison to the 9.9 it's probably only about 10-15 lbs additional. We leave our boat in all year round. Have only had to take the motor off once.It was not easy due to the weight. That may be a consideration for you if you're intending to remove the motor and trailer. Paul H S/V Linda Belle 95 H26
High Thrust
Yes Nils I agree. I forgot to mention that the Yamaha I have has a high thrust prop. Moves the 260 along with ease!
Yes Nils I agree. I forgot to mention that the Yamaha I have has a high thrust prop. Moves the 260 along with ease!
ThrustMaster info needed
Does anyone have a web link for ThrustMaster or contact info? All I get on Google is Thrustmaster of Texas.
Does anyone have a web link for ThrustMaster or contact info? All I get on Google is Thrustmaster of Texas.
Here is the Thrustmaster link
Here is the link (below). I bought one. It's sitting in a box beside my desk and won't get installed until next season.
Here is the link (below). I bought one. It's sitting in a box beside my desk and won't get installed until next season.
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