Just got a 22 ft Oday without an outboard. Trying to figure on the appropriate safe, adequate size horsepower outboard for this boat. Any suggestions on size and makes( reliability) and other feature (fuel injection vs.carb) is appreciated.
Horsepower needs for 22 ft ODay
- Thread starter Raul A
- Start date
Any answer would be better provided if you told us where you sail and how you intend to use the engine. 22 footers like yours go from 4 hp to 9.9. 7.5 is a good medium. Almost all engines have carbs, you have to learn to deal with them. Better question is 2 or 4 stroke.
Also depends on your physical fitness and age. I sail with a more "experienced" captain that would have a difficult time hand cranking a 9.9 and I still don't know how he muscles it out of the water. There are dozens of features for small outboards that can make your life easier, from electric starts to counterbalanced lifters.
If you are buying new, four strokes are the only option. It seems that no one makes new two strokes small enough for your boat anymore. That may mean you will need to replace the outboard mounting bracket too. All Oday OEM brackets were built before four stroke outboards were available, and none are rated to handle a four stroke. That doesn't mean they can't handle a four, but that you are in a gray area. Most of the brackets can handle the weight of an appropriately sized four stroke engine (for the 22, Oday actually recommended a 15 hp engine; big overkill IMHO); its the torque that is the potential issue. Four stroke engines generate more torque than their two stroke cousins. This is why brackets rated to handle a four stroke are so much more robust looking than those built to handle a two stroke. So can a bracket rated to handle a two stroke engine weighing up to 120 lbs safely handle a four stroke engine that weighs 75 lbs.? You got me. I bought a two stroke engine for my Oday 23 at least partially because I didn't want to have to worry or switch out the bracket too.
Whatever engine you buy, get the longest shaft model available. You won't be sorry.
Whatever engine you buy, get the longest shaft model available. You won't be sorry.
My brother runs an older Johnson 6hp on his O'day 23, and with the exception that it's older and not as efficient as newer models (probably could use a rebuild), it works just fine. I used to use it on my 26 which weighs almost twice as much and was plenty for me, even though rough water and wind a couple times. On his 23, it works plenty fine. Good balance of power and weight for pulling up on the kicker bracket.
Anywhere from 4 to 8 HP would be adequate for your boat. I have not seen a small outboard with fuel injection. Rather than horsepower the primary consideration when sizing the engine is weight. Production of small 2 strokes engines came to halt a few years back and now they are only manufacturing 4 stroke engines which are heavier. While you could use a 2 stroke 10HP engine, because of weight considerations you may be limited to an 8HP 4 stroke. Check the rating on the engine mount of your boat, some will give it by weight and yet others by horsepower. Do understand that when they give it by horse power it is likely an older mount and they had a lighter engine in mind than those being produced today. Engines usually come in short and long shafts; if possible get a long shaft as it will reduce cavitation by better maintaining the propeller in the water. Don't bother with getting an engine with an alternator as the electric power they generate is very weak. The thing today is that the most abundant type of gasoline contains up to 10% of Ethanol by volume and this create havoc with the little carburetors. Some will drain all the fuel after every use while others swear that it is better to keep fuel in them and almost everybody will use fuel additives . Just try to run the engine frequently and do not less the gas sit around for to long. There are some that can run on propane but that brings another set of issues and then you have electric outboards that have limited range and power. Hope this helps.
Consider where you are sailing. Are there headwinds down a long canal to get to your sailing area? Are there strong currents, a narrow channel? If you are leaving a lakeside dock, and you ate immediately ready the sail, but just want the motor to move you out further, you won't need much horsepower. If you need to travel some distance, fight a current, or fight high winds, you will want more horsepower.
As also noted here, be sure your bracket is rated for the motor you buy, but you can get a new bracket too!
As also noted here, be sure your bracket is rated for the motor you buy, but you can get a new bracket too!
My previous was an O22. It had a 2 stroke 6hp motor. It provided adequate power. I typically cruise ocean front. The tide rushing through the inlet easily runs 4 knots. The 6hp provided enough power to punch through.
Another option to consider is electric start. My current boat has it. I wouldn't go back to pull start.
Another option to consider is electric start. My current boat has it. I wouldn't go back to pull start.
Hello All. Although I have a 222, boat weight is probably close between the two. I have a Nissan 6hp 4 stroke which handles my boat without a problem. A 5hp or 4hp would do just as good a job, but the 6hp allows me to charge my battery while running. A nice option to have. Good luck on your search.
Your original Garlock motor mount is fine for up to a 6hp 4 stroke according to the mfg.
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...ive=9747001661&device=c&matchtype={MatchType}
http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...ive=9747001661&device=c&matchtype={MatchType}
I have a 22 O'Day and I use an 8 hp 4 stroke Mercury. I like it because of the control of both gear shift and throttle on the steering tiller. I have to dock in cross-currents and it is good to have both controls in one place, rather than fumbling for a gear shift at a critical point..
I also use a Tohatsu 6 HP Sail Pro (25" shaft) on a 25 and its adequate. It replaces a 9.9 Mercury 2 cycle.
I had a 22 ft. catalina for 15 years with 6 HP Johnson ,no problems in fact some days could get 7 knots out of it
I have a 1980 O Day 22 it had a Johnson 9.9 that didn't work when I got it. I put a Tahatsu 9.8 four stroke 20" shaft, elec. start.
I had to replace the motor mount which was a project. I made a new wedge out of 6 12x12 pieces of plywood glued together then cut to a wedge and epoxied and glassed over it. Put a Garlick 15" travel motor mount on it. If I could do over I think I would get a Garhaur mount available from Catalina Direct. The Garlick is heavy and I thought it would lower the motor more. It is also hard to get all the way down to the lowest setting as the springs will handle up to a 175lb. motor.
But I love the 9.8 it has good power to get you out of trouble.
Good Luck!
I had to replace the motor mount which was a project. I made a new wedge out of 6 12x12 pieces of plywood glued together then cut to a wedge and epoxied and glassed over it. Put a Garlick 15" travel motor mount on it. If I could do over I think I would get a Garhaur mount available from Catalina Direct. The Garlick is heavy and I thought it would lower the motor more. It is also hard to get all the way down to the lowest setting as the springs will handle up to a 175lb. motor.
But I love the 9.8 it has good power to get you out of trouble.
Good Luck!
I have a 222 which is about the same as yours. I used a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke for the first 3 years and replaced it last year w/ a 2 stroke 6hp. The only neg. of the Honda was weight at about 108 lbs. The Suzki 2 stroke 6hp is about 63 lbs. Both have a small charg. system that keep the batt. chrg. but my needs are small. There is ample power from either and will do hull speed at about 1/2 to 3/4 depending on conditions. (sail in Lake Mich.) The 2 stroke has a "buzzier" sound while the 4 stroke feels smother at most speeds. Fuel use is higher w/ the 2 stroke even with the drop in hp. but the motor is used so little it dosnt amount to much. Overall I give a plus to the smaller motor only because of weight.