This has probably been asked a million times, but I'm new to this site: What is the most reliable outboard motor, and horsepower, for a Hunter 25.5? Honda, Yahama, 2-stroke, 4-stroke, etc.??? When I need it, I want it to start and run without fail. All suggestions are appreciated.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
J
Joe Refkin
Honda 8 or 9.9
I used a Honda 8 on my H240. It always started on the 2nd or 3rd pull. (sometimes the 1st). I useded it to get in & out of the slip and for as many as 12 miles when the wind died. It always ran flawlessly. The 4 stroke had immediate power for fast stops or reverse of direction. No need to mix oil which will probably be outlawed eventually. It would power us to hull speed quickly and require no more than 2/3rds throttle to do it. It handled big waves and head wind just fine. In fact half throttle was usually as fast or faster than sailing under wind alone.
I used a Honda 8 on my H240. It always started on the 2nd or 3rd pull. (sometimes the 1st). I useded it to get in & out of the slip and for as many as 12 miles when the wind died. It always ran flawlessly. The 4 stroke had immediate power for fast stops or reverse of direction. No need to mix oil which will probably be outlawed eventually. It would power us to hull speed quickly and require no more than 2/3rds throttle to do it. It handled big waves and head wind just fine. In fact half throttle was usually as fast or faster than sailing under wind alone.
D
Dave Busby
Mine is a Nissan 8 hp..
that came with the boat. It is an 1985 model, and runs very well. I have used it for a twelve mile trip (in the fog), without a hic-up. I think whatever motor you choose, just take care of it and run the gas out of the carb, when you are leaving the boat. Most outboards are not going to start on the first or second pull, because gas has to be sucked up and into the carb. Just maintain it and keep the plugs clean.
that came with the boat. It is an 1985 model, and runs very well. I have used it for a twelve mile trip (in the fog), without a hic-up. I think whatever motor you choose, just take care of it and run the gas out of the carb, when you are leaving the boat. Most outboards are not going to start on the first or second pull, because gas has to be sucked up and into the carb. Just maintain it and keep the plugs clean.
W
wayne lentz
Outboard Choices
Whatever you buy...Go with a 4 stroke motor. I have a Honda 9hp 4 stroke on my Hunter 260. It moves the boat around quite effectively and very quite. Anything over 10hp would be a waste of money and motor. Good luck
Whatever you buy...Go with a 4 stroke motor. I have a Honda 9hp 4 stroke on my Hunter 260. It moves the boat around quite effectively and very quite. Anything over 10hp would be a waste of money and motor. Good luck
D
Dave Royce
Honda 9.9
I have the new Honda 9.9 on my 23.5. Great engine went from a 8hp 2 stroke to this one. Good power starts 1-2 pulls, has generator for keeping batteries charged. Worth every cent I paid.
I have the new Honda 9.9 on my 23.5. Great engine went from a 8hp 2 stroke to this one. Good power starts 1-2 pulls, has generator for keeping batteries charged. Worth every cent I paid.
S
Steve de Filippis
2 stroke is better if you plane to store the motor
if you store your motor like i do for the winter at home, you want a stroke. a 4 stroke always has to be kept upright and that can be a little difficult to do while transporting. def try to get one with electric start. i think any HP between 8.0 - 10 would be sufficiant for that boat. stay away from mercuries in my opinion. tohatsu is a less expensive alternative and it is actually a "nissan" with a diffrent name and smaller price tag. 4 strokes are quieter and weigh less if that is important to you.
if you store your motor like i do for the winter at home, you want a stroke. a 4 stroke always has to be kept upright and that can be a little difficult to do while transporting. def try to get one with electric start. i think any HP between 8.0 - 10 would be sufficiant for that boat. stay away from mercuries in my opinion. tohatsu is a less expensive alternative and it is actually a "nissan" with a diffrent name and smaller price tag. 4 strokes are quieter and weigh less if that is important to you.
Not so Steve
Steve: 4 stroke engines can be stored on their side. They have resting points on the side of the engine case to do this. I have had a couple of these (Nissan & Honda) and both where designed that way. For storing at home, I built an engine stand out of 4x4's and 2x4's. This made keeping it out of the way in a corner much easier. I think that most of the new 4 strokes are pretty good. I never had one problem with my Honda. One thing to consider weather it is a 2 or 4 stroke is to add some fuel stabilizer to the tank. If you do this every time you fill up, you will not need to worry about the gas going bad. If you are going to be moving the engine on/off the boat, just remember that these suckers are heavy, so that may be of some consideration.
Steve: 4 stroke engines can be stored on their side. They have resting points on the side of the engine case to do this. I have had a couple of these (Nissan & Honda) and both where designed that way. For storing at home, I built an engine stand out of 4x4's and 2x4's. This made keeping it out of the way in a corner much easier. I think that most of the new 4 strokes are pretty good. I never had one problem with my Honda. One thing to consider weather it is a 2 or 4 stroke is to add some fuel stabilizer to the tank. If you do this every time you fill up, you will not need to worry about the gas going bad. If you are going to be moving the engine on/off the boat, just remember that these suckers are heavy, so that may be of some consideration.
B
Bob Bass
Look at Suzuki or Yamaha
I strongly recommend that you look at the Suzuki or Yamaha 4-stroke. The Hondas are heavier and have poor corrosion control compared to the others. No problem with storage of the 4-strokes if you run out the fuel and make sure all the fuel is drained out of the carb.
I strongly recommend that you look at the Suzuki or Yamaha 4-stroke. The Hondas are heavier and have poor corrosion control compared to the others. No problem with storage of the 4-strokes if you run out the fuel and make sure all the fuel is drained out of the carb.
C
Crazy Dave Condon
size of motor
Two strokes usually cost less and with less maintenace than four strokes. However the four strokes use less fuel and give more thrust plus being quiter. The four stroke is generally heavier. The Nissan, Tohatsu and Mercury 9.9 four stroke are the same engines. It really depends on where you sail and if in a lake , I have seen an 8 hp but in tidal currents, then a 9.9 Crazy Dave Condon
Two strokes usually cost less and with less maintenace than four strokes. However the four strokes use less fuel and give more thrust plus being quiter. The four stroke is generally heavier. The Nissan, Tohatsu and Mercury 9.9 four stroke are the same engines. It really depends on where you sail and if in a lake , I have seen an 8 hp but in tidal currents, then a 9.9 Crazy Dave Condon
T
ted
I have a honda 9.9 on my 25.5
My 25.5 came with a honda 9.9. It will outlast the boat. I have ran on this motor for 10 hours straight with out a hicup. It cranks first time everytime even when its been sitting a long time. The only thing I would consider different if I had to buy one is get a 15hp. Its the exact same weight but more horses. A little extra power would come in handy when coming in the pass on a rip roaring outgoing tide. ted
My 25.5 came with a honda 9.9. It will outlast the boat. I have ran on this motor for 10 hours straight with out a hicup. It cranks first time everytime even when its been sitting a long time. The only thing I would consider different if I had to buy one is get a 15hp. Its the exact same weight but more horses. A little extra power would come in handy when coming in the pass on a rip roaring outgoing tide. ted
R
Ricky Gravitte
yamaha 8hp high thurst
I have a h260 now, with a 9.9 merc 4stroke. I like it.I had a Mac 26c that I put an 8hp yamaha high thurst 4 stroke motor on it that I liked much better than the merc. The yamaha had elec.start, hydraulic tilt, and a huge prop with plenty of power when I needed it. I,m sure it cost more than Merc. but it sure was a nice motor. I hated to see it go with the old boat. I would recommend at least to look at one. No mater what get a four stroke.
I have a h260 now, with a 9.9 merc 4stroke. I like it.I had a Mac 26c that I put an 8hp yamaha high thurst 4 stroke motor on it that I liked much better than the merc. The yamaha had elec.start, hydraulic tilt, and a huge prop with plenty of power when I needed it. I,m sure it cost more than Merc. but it sure was a nice motor. I hated to see it go with the old boat. I would recommend at least to look at one. No mater what get a four stroke.
M
Mark
Get my vote Ricky
We fitted the Yamaha 8hp 4 stroke with electric start and power tilt to our 260. Brilliant motor.
We fitted the Yamaha 8hp 4 stroke with electric start and power tilt to our 260. Brilliant motor.
M
Marcel Ralbovsky
Transom Heights (Shaft Length)
I bought my Honda 9.9 in 1999 and it has run perfectly. There are 2 things you might look for in the other brands when shopping. Honda makes an XLS (extra long shaft) model that it considers its "Sailboat" engine. It has a 28" transom height, compared to a 22.4" height on the "L" model. Lifting the engine 5" up on the transom might make it easier to operate. The XLS also has a 10 amp alternator for faster battery charging. Downside is that it weighs 108#.
I bought my Honda 9.9 in 1999 and it has run perfectly. There are 2 things you might look for in the other brands when shopping. Honda makes an XLS (extra long shaft) model that it considers its "Sailboat" engine. It has a 28" transom height, compared to a 22.4" height on the "L" model. Lifting the engine 5" up on the transom might make it easier to operate. The XLS also has a 10 amp alternator for faster battery charging. Downside is that it weighs 108#.
R
Rick Webb
Wait, What About Weight?
A guy in my marina just put a Tohatsu 9.9 4 stroke on his 25.5 and he has a hell of a time lifting on his motor braket and tilting the motor up because of the aditional weight over his 8hp 2 stroke and the reach over the stern rail. It also flexes the transom quite a bit just somthing else to consider.
A guy in my marina just put a Tohatsu 9.9 4 stroke on his 25.5 and he has a hell of a time lifting on his motor braket and tilting the motor up because of the aditional weight over his 8hp 2 stroke and the reach over the stern rail. It also flexes the transom quite a bit just somthing else to consider.
F
Frank Ladd
You are not kidding Rick!
When we raced J24s we used a 4 hp two stroke to get to the races and removed it from the bracket and stored it on the cabin sole in the center lowest part of the boat. We always beat anyone who left there motor on the transom. The heavy the motor the slower they sailed. if you are planning on racing then get a motor you can move easily. If you are cruisng then you'll want a more powerful motor but the weight on the transom will affect your sailing so keep that in mind.
When we raced J24s we used a 4 hp two stroke to get to the races and removed it from the bracket and stored it on the cabin sole in the center lowest part of the boat. We always beat anyone who left there motor on the transom. The heavy the motor the slower they sailed. if you are planning on racing then get a motor you can move easily. If you are cruisng then you'll want a more powerful motor but the weight on the transom will affect your sailing so keep that in mind.
- Status
- Not open for further replies.