Engine for 260

[Ted Friend]

Hi,I just purchased a 260 and am shopping for an engine. I am looking at the Mercury 9.9 Sailpower. Can anyone tell me if I need a long shaft (25") or a standard 15" shaft engine? I would like to be able to tilt the shaft out of the water when the engine is not in use - can I do that with a 25" shaft? But then, we will be sailing mostly on the coast with fairly large waves and I want to keep the prop in the water, hence the long shaft looks attractive.Also, is electric start much better than pull start? - because the engine is in a bit of a hole that may make pull starting the engine difficult.Has anyone experience with setting the engine up to run off of remote forward-neutral-reverse control? It seems like that would help a lot when docking, but I am not sure if that can be done with smaller engins.Thnaks so much.

 

[Tom]

Long shaft, engine controls

Hi Ted,You'll want the long shaft version to keep the prop in the water as much as possible. Yes, it should clear the water when up.Most engines can be setup for remote throttle and shift control. If you are shopping for an engine, make the remote hardware and installation part of the deal. If you have wheel steering, the controls can be mounted right on the pedestal, and the Hunter factory can install them for you, too, if this is a new boat to be built.Fair winds,Tom

 

[Mark]

Remote the way

We fitted a Yamaha 8hp 4 stroke. It has electric start which is excellent for it means you can stay at the wheel or tiller. The biggest plus is the power trim and tilt with remote control. It means that when it is sailed single hand the ease by which you can start the motor, lower the motor, put into forward or reverse and controll speed makes it very very easy to manouver. The fule economy of this outboard is outstanding. Probably most important of all is its reliability. Starts every time wihtout fail. (touch wood) We mounted the remote on the side of transom box alongside where you walk up from the ladder.

 

[Frank]

I hope your Merc is better than others

I understand that Mercury makes great engines for bass boats and racing boats, but my understanding is they do not support the small motors very well. I would get a few opinions on the mercury before buying one.

 

[Doug Miles]

You will also want to link the rudder to the motor

I just bought my used 260 a few weeks ago but I can tell you it handles much easier around the docks with the wheel controling both the motor and the rudder. The new one we test sailed did not have this feature and our salesperson gave us a good accidental demonstartion of how much abuse the boat can take when running into piers at the dock! Mine is rigged with the motor controls just forward of the motor and below seat level on the fiberglass. This makes it easy to operate and is in the recessed area that will not get accidentally adjusted on you. Good Luck!

 

[Bernie]

Merc Sailpower

I have a 260 with the Merc 9.9 4-stroke sailpower with the 25 inch shaft. I converted it from the hand tiller control to the remote version. That took just a couple of hours to do with Merc's conversion kit. I have the clutch and accelerator mounted on the pedestal and the motor connected to the rudder so that I can steer with the wheel. The only problem I had was that Merc didn't have available the proper pitch "workboat" prop for this engine for a sailboat whose top speed is around seven knots. I had a "prop shop" adjust the pitch on the factory prop, but it still does not have high enough rpms at hull speed to develop close to rated horsepower. I have heard that Mercury will be offering a proper "sailboat" prop for this engine at some time in the future, but I haven't heard anything recently. Despite the problem with the proper pitch propeller not being available, I have been happy overall with the engine. It will clear the water when tilted up, despite the length of the shaft.