I'm looking for a new engine but I don't know how much power or how long a shaft I need. I currently have a Mercury 6HP that seems to be a long shaft but I'm not sure that is what is needed. any suggestions.
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Alan Long
Outboards
Hi Small outboards come in two fundamental engine designs, 4 stroke and 2 stroke. Two strokes are powerful, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. The drawback is oil has to be mixed with the gas and they are noisier and dirtier. The 4 strokes are generally quieter and cleaner, and have lower fuel consumption. They weigh and cost more though. Typically a short shaft is around 15 ", a long shaft is around 20" and an extra long is 25-28". I think what you need is a long shaft and 6 hp sounds about right. Outboards from Mercury, OMC (Johnson, Evinrude), Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, etc.... are priced pretty close to each other feature for feature. Those from Nissan/Tohatsu are less expensive and quite good from what I have seen. I think that the lower price of the Nissans is less a function of their quality and more related to the way they are marketed. I'd take a close look at a Honda 4 stroke if price is no object and a Nissan/Tohatsu for value. Hope this helps a bit. Alan Long S/V Random Access
Hi Small outboards come in two fundamental engine designs, 4 stroke and 2 stroke. Two strokes are powerful, lightweight and relatively inexpensive. The drawback is oil has to be mixed with the gas and they are noisier and dirtier. The 4 strokes are generally quieter and cleaner, and have lower fuel consumption. They weigh and cost more though. Typically a short shaft is around 15 ", a long shaft is around 20" and an extra long is 25-28". I think what you need is a long shaft and 6 hp sounds about right. Outboards from Mercury, OMC (Johnson, Evinrude), Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, etc.... are priced pretty close to each other feature for feature. Those from Nissan/Tohatsu are less expensive and quite good from what I have seen. I think that the lower price of the Nissans is less a function of their quality and more related to the way they are marketed. I'd take a close look at a Honda 4 stroke if price is no object and a Nissan/Tohatsu for value. Hope this helps a bit. Alan Long S/V Random Access
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FP
alternator
I had a Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke with a high thrust prop and a high output alternator it kept the batteries well charged and pushed the boat at hull speed at about 1/3 throttle, nice and quiet. The Yamaha seems less affected by salt water then some other motors I've had.
I had a Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke with a high thrust prop and a high output alternator it kept the batteries well charged and pushed the boat at hull speed at about 1/3 throttle, nice and quiet. The Yamaha seems less affected by salt water then some other motors I've had.
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Chuck
H22 w/evinrude
I have a old evinrude 7.5 on my 22. If your thinking about buying a motor new I would seriously recommend getting the alternator. My H22 does not like to go backwards without a struggle, therefore I always come into slips and docks extremely slowly.. I'd say go with the 2 stroke, less $$$, If your on ocean or huge lakes get nothing less than 7.5 to 10 hp. I use my motor very little except in total calm or going into a slip or dock. Fuel use on the 7.5 runs about 18 gallons for the 6+ months she's in the water.
I have a old evinrude 7.5 on my 22. If your thinking about buying a motor new I would seriously recommend getting the alternator. My H22 does not like to go backwards without a struggle, therefore I always come into slips and docks extremely slowly.. I'd say go with the 2 stroke, less $$$, If your on ocean or huge lakes get nothing less than 7.5 to 10 hp. I use my motor very little except in total calm or going into a slip or dock. Fuel use on the 7.5 runs about 18 gallons for the 6+ months she's in the water.
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Chuck
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Greg Stebbins
18 gals in 6 months!! Wow
Chuck, I've got a 23 with the issue 5hp 2 stroke. I go through about 1.5 gals per year and motor more than I should. Do you have a long run to open water or something? Greg H23 Faster-
Chuck, I've got a 23 with the issue 5hp 2 stroke. I go through about 1.5 gals per year and motor more than I should. Do you have a long run to open water or something? Greg H23 Faster-
It depends...
Your decision will be affected by how you use the boat (cruising or racing), how much motoring you have to do and what your local wind, wave and current conditions are like. Of course, price is also a big factor. If you don't have to deal with adverse weather conditions, tides or currents and you don't motor very far, then a smaller motor (5hp)is OK. However, if you even think that you may be in a situation where you have to rely more on your motor, then I suggest something with more "grunt", and possibly an alternator. In my case, I deal with a wide variety of sailing conditions, from flat calm to 25 kts. Going out, I often have to deal simultaneaously with a headwind, waves and current. The trip to sailable water is almost two miles, and there are three bridges (one of which is a drawbridge) along the way for good measure. My kids sail with me and I often sail at night. My motor is important to me. Four months after I bought my 88 H23, I replaced the original Tohatsu 5hp with a Nissan 8hp, and I must say that I am very pleased. The price was right (under $1200), it is light and powerful (it will move the boat at hull speed below half throttle in a light chop). The color also matched the trim on the boat. One huge advantage is the external fuel tank. At 3 gals. it gives me plenty of motoring range and if I have to, I can easily refill it in the comfort of the cockpit. The built-in tank on the 5hp would only gave me about an hour of motoring, and refilling it while hanging over the transom in waves was a pain in the @$$. I hope this helps you make your decision. Peter S/V Raven
Your decision will be affected by how you use the boat (cruising or racing), how much motoring you have to do and what your local wind, wave and current conditions are like. Of course, price is also a big factor. If you don't have to deal with adverse weather conditions, tides or currents and you don't motor very far, then a smaller motor (5hp)is OK. However, if you even think that you may be in a situation where you have to rely more on your motor, then I suggest something with more "grunt", and possibly an alternator. In my case, I deal with a wide variety of sailing conditions, from flat calm to 25 kts. Going out, I often have to deal simultaneaously with a headwind, waves and current. The trip to sailable water is almost two miles, and there are three bridges (one of which is a drawbridge) along the way for good measure. My kids sail with me and I often sail at night. My motor is important to me. Four months after I bought my 88 H23, I replaced the original Tohatsu 5hp with a Nissan 8hp, and I must say that I am very pleased. The price was right (under $1200), it is light and powerful (it will move the boat at hull speed below half throttle in a light chop). The color also matched the trim on the boat. One huge advantage is the external fuel tank. At 3 gals. it gives me plenty of motoring range and if I have to, I can easily refill it in the comfort of the cockpit. The built-in tank on the 5hp would only gave me about an hour of motoring, and refilling it while hanging over the transom in waves was a pain in the @$$. I hope this helps you make your decision. Peter S/V Raven
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chuck
Nah,
Nah, most of the motoring time is july and august when there's no wind for hours during midday. Also I do use it when my wife wanted me home for 4:30 and I'm still an hour out at 4:30!
Nah, most of the motoring time is july and august when there's no wind for hours during midday. Also I do use it when my wife wanted me home for 4:30 and I'm still an hour out at 4:30!
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