I had a 23.5 which motored great with an 8hp Mercury. I sold it and bought another, larger boat which I have now sold. SO, I am looking seriously at another 23.5. The one I have looked at does not have a motor. Has anyone got an opinion about how the boat performs with less than the 8hp I had? If I buy the boat, I don't see the need to spend more money than necessary on the motor. I will sail almost exclusively on lakes, with an annual/semi-annual trip to the coast for inland waterway type sailing. Thanks. John
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Mike Collins
h23.5 motor
I have a 93 model 23.5 with the original 8 hp tohatsu engine. My sailing is all inland lake and I couldn't imagine using a smaller motor. It has done a fine job when needed. Although, I believe that the motor options at that time (1993)were 6 or 8 hp. I would think the 6 would be marginal for any distance motoring.
I have a 93 model 23.5 with the original 8 hp tohatsu engine. My sailing is all inland lake and I couldn't imagine using a smaller motor. It has done a fine job when needed. Although, I believe that the motor options at that time (1993)were 6 or 8 hp. I would think the 6 would be marginal for any distance motoring.
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Frank
90% of the time
90% of the time you motor a 4hp would be fine. The other 10% of the time you really want the power of 8 hp to fight big waves and wind. If you never have big waves and wind an 8hp will not push you noticably faster.
90% of the time you motor a 4hp would be fine. The other 10% of the time you really want the power of 8 hp to fight big waves and wind. If you never have big waves and wind an 8hp will not push you noticably faster.
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Rick Webb
6 or 8 Would be Fine
I have a 6hp Mercury on mine and if it were a 4 stroke it would be perfect. It has 2 cylinders which run a little smoother than the smaller single cylinder outboards do. The shift is on the throttle handle twist it clockwise for foward the oposite for reverse that helps out a lot for those poorly executed approaches that need a quick burst of power. You can keep one hand on the tiller the other on the motor and turn both at the same time and never have to let go of either. It pushes me along at 6 knots with no trouble at all and is actually very quiet for a 2 stroke. The 8 hp Mercury is actually the same motor except for the carburator which gives it a few thousand more RPMs to get that extra power may be worth considering as well. 4 HP is probably fine but I do not think there is any need for any more motor than an 8.
I have a 6hp Mercury on mine and if it were a 4 stroke it would be perfect. It has 2 cylinders which run a little smoother than the smaller single cylinder outboards do. The shift is on the throttle handle twist it clockwise for foward the oposite for reverse that helps out a lot for those poorly executed approaches that need a quick burst of power. You can keep one hand on the tiller the other on the motor and turn both at the same time and never have to let go of either. It pushes me along at 6 knots with no trouble at all and is actually very quiet for a 2 stroke. The 8 hp Mercury is actually the same motor except for the carburator which gives it a few thousand more RPMs to get that extra power may be worth considering as well. 4 HP is probably fine but I do not think there is any need for any more motor than an 8.
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Steven Gautney
8 hp Tohatsu works great!
I generally agree that there is little point in running the 8 hp motor beyond about 3/4 throttle. The boat is limited by hull speed. My 2 cylinder, long shaft,electric start, 2-stroke does a great job. I highly recommend the electric start. . .it also charges the on-board battery. The 2-stroke is not as quiet as the 4-stroke but the difference in weight is huge.
I generally agree that there is little point in running the 8 hp motor beyond about 3/4 throttle. The boat is limited by hull speed. My 2 cylinder, long shaft,electric start, 2-stroke does a great job. I highly recommend the electric start. . .it also charges the on-board battery. The 2-stroke is not as quiet as the 4-stroke but the difference in weight is huge.
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Alan Long
Honda 9.9
The Honda 9.9 on my 1994 23.5 is definitely overkill if I could really sail most of the time. Reality is that midsummer on the Chesapeake can be almost totally without wind. The Honda transforms the 23.5 into a very comfortable motorsailer. It just ticks over at 2000-2500 RPM for a 5 knot cruise. Its quiet, smooth and uses little gas. Does it compromise sailing performance?...definitely, but it vastly improves motoring performance. I've used a 4 hp Evinrude before and it was perfectly adquate for getting out of the docks, but miserable to run for more than a half hour or so. I guess my point is that it all depends on how you use the boat. Alan Long S/V Random Access
The Honda 9.9 on my 1994 23.5 is definitely overkill if I could really sail most of the time. Reality is that midsummer on the Chesapeake can be almost totally without wind. The Honda transforms the 23.5 into a very comfortable motorsailer. It just ticks over at 2000-2500 RPM for a 5 knot cruise. Its quiet, smooth and uses little gas. Does it compromise sailing performance?...definitely, but it vastly improves motoring performance. I've used a 4 hp Evinrude before and it was perfectly adquate for getting out of the docks, but miserable to run for more than a half hour or so. I guess my point is that it all depends on how you use the boat. Alan Long S/V Random Access
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Bill Jones
23.5 Outboard
I sail my 1996 23.5 on lakes with occasional trips to Florida bays. The boat was purchased new with a Tohatsu 5 hp two stroke engine. The objections I had to this motor was noise level, and lack of an exterior fuel tank. If motoring for any distance, refueling was a pain and the noise/vibration just unbearable. The speed was up to hull speed so, that aspect was fine. Also, engine performance was great. Always started, even after extensive periods of no use. I'm replacing the Tohatsu with a Mercury 6 hp four stroke (built by Tohatsu). This motor should be quieter, less vibration, more fuel efficient and has an exterior fuel tank. Both are long shaft, of course. By the way, I found a power boat dealer who gave me an excellent trade in for my Tohatsu. Will miracles never cease! I was under the impression that due to weight, an 8 hp motor was pretty much the max for a 23.5. The Honda 8 and 9.9 hp weigh pretty much the same, but Honda's are heavier than other outboards. They are great engines, but hefty. It could possibly give you a bit of a list to starboard. Bill Jones s/v Wind Dancer
I sail my 1996 23.5 on lakes with occasional trips to Florida bays. The boat was purchased new with a Tohatsu 5 hp two stroke engine. The objections I had to this motor was noise level, and lack of an exterior fuel tank. If motoring for any distance, refueling was a pain and the noise/vibration just unbearable. The speed was up to hull speed so, that aspect was fine. Also, engine performance was great. Always started, even after extensive periods of no use. I'm replacing the Tohatsu with a Mercury 6 hp four stroke (built by Tohatsu). This motor should be quieter, less vibration, more fuel efficient and has an exterior fuel tank. Both are long shaft, of course. By the way, I found a power boat dealer who gave me an excellent trade in for my Tohatsu. Will miracles never cease! I was under the impression that due to weight, an 8 hp motor was pretty much the max for a 23.5. The Honda 8 and 9.9 hp weigh pretty much the same, but Honda's are heavier than other outboards. They are great engines, but hefty. It could possibly give you a bit of a list to starboard. Bill Jones s/v Wind Dancer
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Mark Major
Tohatsu 9.8
At full throttle on smooth water gives my '86 H23 6.5 knots. Half throttle is adequate and very fuel efficient. Maybe this is more motor than is needed for most, but I have found the extra horse useful when in weather, traveling the Gulf.
At full throttle on smooth water gives my '86 H23 6.5 knots. Half throttle is adequate and very fuel efficient. Maybe this is more motor than is needed for most, but I have found the extra horse useful when in weather, traveling the Gulf.
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Ghery Pettit
Nissan 5 hp
Our 1994 23.5 came with a Nissan 5 hp motor. More vibration than the Johnson that our previous boat had. No external tank, nor is there a provision for one. About 45 minutes to a dry tank at full throttle. It moves the boat at hull speed, so no complaints there. It is also a very reliable motor. I shut off the fuel valve when putting the boat away in its slip at the end of the day and let it run the carb dry. The next start is always after a few pulls, even if we haven't used it for several months (like, over the winter). No complaints there. One other point, the larger motor (8 hp) had an option for a battery charging system. That would be nice. All we have on board is a portable solar panel. Given our electrical loads (lights), that's plenty, but if I ever added a radio or stereo, I'd want a better charging system. Oh well... Ghery Pettit Hunter 23.5, Cougar Pride
Our 1994 23.5 came with a Nissan 5 hp motor. More vibration than the Johnson that our previous boat had. No external tank, nor is there a provision for one. About 45 minutes to a dry tank at full throttle. It moves the boat at hull speed, so no complaints there. It is also a very reliable motor. I shut off the fuel valve when putting the boat away in its slip at the end of the day and let it run the carb dry. The next start is always after a few pulls, even if we haven't used it for several months (like, over the winter). No complaints there. One other point, the larger motor (8 hp) had an option for a battery charging system. That would be nice. All we have on board is a portable solar panel. Given our electrical loads (lights), that's plenty, but if I ever added a radio or stereo, I'd want a better charging system. Oh well... Ghery Pettit Hunter 23.5, Cougar Pride
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John Powell
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Wayne
Lake MI
Hi: I solo sail alot of the time with my 23.5 1993 Hunter. Originallly had a 2 stroke OMC which pushed my boat at hull speed (8hp) but had objections to #1 noise, #2 carbon monoxide (headaches in the cockpit)
Hi: I solo sail alot of the time with my 23.5 1993 Hunter. Originallly had a 2 stroke OMC which pushed my boat at hull speed (8hp) but had objections to #1 noise, #2 carbon monoxide (headaches in the cockpit)
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BART FORD
motor size
I have a 240 and have looked at other boats and motors. I really wish I had opted for a larger motor with a charging loop and electric start. I have a Nissan 5hp 4 stroke. The concern is not so much weight as it is the added torque on the motor mount.
I have a 240 and have looked at other boats and motors. I really wish I had opted for a larger motor with a charging loop and electric start. I have a Nissan 5hp 4 stroke. The concern is not so much weight as it is the added torque on the motor mount.
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