Best HP outboard for my sailboat

[eagargary]

I recently bought a 1974 MacGregor V2-24 sloop with a 1985 Mercury 9.8 outboard. I want to purchase a new outboard for it as i use the engine more then the sails unless i have friends with me.I have been told by dealers anything from a 5 HP all the way up to a 9.9 HP. Any suggestions from Macgregor owners as to what is the best HP range to buy to handle the boat for more then just getting it out of the harbor.

 

[centerline]

if you are generally going to use it as a motor boat, and the motor will be your primary means of propulsion while using the boat, then I would stick with nothing less than a 7.5hp... and the merc is a good long life motor when its tuned up and has the proper gas/oil mix, so unless you are going to a 4stroke motor, i would stick with it. and a proper full service tuneup is far cheaper than a 4stroke.

 

[finding41]

Welcome to the forum!
If you do decide to get a new OB send me a PM with what you want for your old one...
I'm just about to rebuild the carb on my 86 Merc 8 hp. (I think it takes the same carb kit as yours.)
One thing about OB size and displacement hull sail boats... You are only going to go as fast as the fastest sailing speed no mater the OB size. You can't get these boats up on plane. They only displace the water.
Welcome to 5.5nm/h. (It seems allot faster, especially when the boat is heeling...)
So a 9.9 hp will make you boat go as fast as a 5 hp. But the 9.9 will only have to work half as hard to do it. The bigger motor saves fuel and in a pinch that extra 100% of power can get you out of a spot faster than the smaller motor.

 

[Doc_holiday]

I would agree bigger is better to a point. The added value comes when it's time to run in a current or heavy winds. I have the 9.9 merc 2 stroke and I swear there have been times in strong winds that I wouldn't have made any headway with anything smaller and at some point you may lose rudder control if you aren't making enough headway. I fairness though I have not tried a 5 hp, especially not in those conditions.

I think a larger motor at lower RPM's would be easier on the ears too than a smaller one at higher RPM's, plus the motor would appreciate not being wound out all the time. IMHO.

I don't like mixing the oil and gas but it's not that big of a deal considering I don't have to change oil.

I think finding a motor mount combination that gets your prop deep enough is more important. Others will chime in about prop selection.

 

[Freedom77]

Have you seen the price of outboards lately, WOW!! Paid $750 for Honda 7.5 in 1982. Same engine today is three times as much. Merc is a good engine. If it ain't broke don't replace it. Good tuneup and you should be okay assuming there is nothing mechanically wrong with engine. Had a merc 7.5 longshaft originally on Freedom. Plenty of HP. As stated you won't go any faster than hull speed.

 

[patrickfarley]

I just used my new to me 7.5hp Honda 4 stroke outboard. I am replacing a 9.9hp 2 stroke Johnson/Evinrude. I am in love with the Honda. Plenty of power. Drives right through the wind with no problem with partial throttle. I think the prop is a better fit for my boat and the new motor has a long shaft. With both of these improvements I need no more power.
Also this really has a reverse. The 9.9hp would slow me slowly, had to be the prop size. The 9.9 would drive it forward with great force but reverse did not work well.
I can tell the 7.5hp Honda does not have as much power but, I think the power it puts out is more useful with the prop and the long shaft. The 9.9hp had more power than I could use even in a pass going against the tide and wind.
Wind has been my greatest enemy when under power. I think the bow of the Mac 25 should be listed as sail area. When I was pulling into my slip today, with a good cross wind(9-14 mph) the engine seemed to give me a better grip to the water. Throttled down and still had good control and hit reverse which stopped me before I hit the dock.

Best of all the outboard was quiet as it sipped gas. Can't wait to try it out going to Cayo Costa. Have to fix the transmission on my Suburban. I am learning to rebuild it myself.