Hunter 23 motor weight

[Kevin McCarville]

Hi,

I hava a 1986 hunter 23. I am looking at replacing the 9.9 Johnson Sailmaster 2 stroke with a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke. The 2 stroke weighs 65 lbs and the 4 stroke weighs 100 lbs. I know I will have to replace the motor mount for a stronger system. I am wondering if anyone has experience with this and how it will affect the characteristics of the boat in the water. Will I have to add ballast? Should I just go with a smaller 4 stroke? I can get a good deal on the Honda 9.9.

Kevin

 

[kloudie1]

The difference is only 35 pounds.. so you can simulate that by putting on a 5 gallon water can filled to about 4 gallons.. It has to be back there to get the full effect.. My bet is that it will be a miniscule difference but slightly noticable, especially in pitch. The Honda will probably use about half the fuel of the two stroke so you can compensate a little by carrying less fuel if you don't need the extra range. I had a 7.5 HP Honda (1979) on a comparable 23 foot boat and found that to be plenty horsepower for coastal sailing..

 

[isaksp00]

I have a '91 H23, came with Honda 8HP, which weighs about 85 lbs. Doesn't seem to cause much heel, and this boat has a motor mount that swings up, which would probably add another 10 lbs or so. 8 HP seems more than enough to me. I have been having motor problems (hard starting, stalling when put in gear), which last Sunday caused me to run aground (well, Run "arock" is more like it). While I tested it going in and out of gear successfully on the mooring, as soon as I let go the pendant and put it in gear, it stalled. This in about 13-15 kt winds, blowing straight on shore. This lake gets deep quickly, so these moorings are only maybe 100 to 150 ft off shore. Didn't take more time than about 6 or 8 unsuccessful pulls on the starter rope to have the bow or keel bang on a rock. I was luckily able to start the motor after about 30 secs "arock", and put it in reverse. My point is that the 8HP was more than enough to back me out, against this steady wind. I hope it was the iron keel and not part of the hull that struck, as even if it got gouged some I can fix that.

 

[Kevin McCarville]

Thanks for the replies and information. I bought the 9.9 Honda 4 stroke anyway because it was a good deal at $1000 cdn. They retail up here for $3200 cdn. If the boat is off the level on the water I will try placing a few water filled bladder bags where needed. I will have to wait until next season to try it on the boat in the water. I bought this boat as a project boat 3 years ago. My rose colored glasses at the time did not permit me to see all the work that was needed. From the bottom of the keel to the tip of the mast it will all have something done to it. I told a friend recently this boat is like any good education. "It takes at least 4 years to complete and thousands of dollars". Not discouraged just better informed for the next time!

Best regards,

Kevin McCarville
Prince Edward Island
Canada

 

[soling42]

I had to move the battery location to the port side in our 240 to compensate for a starboard list from the engine weight of our 4stroke honda. In our 260 the galley, engine and battery were all on the starboard side so I added another battery and moved them both to port which corrected an engineering weight distribution snafoo. It's in a dreadful spot but the boat balanced far better without carrying dead weight. Just a thought.
Mike

 

[Kevin McCarville]

Yes I have been thinking of changing the motor to the starboard side since I have to put a new motor mount on anyway. Presently everything is on my port side.

 

[jorg027]

I keep a filled 5gal. water jug in the aft-most compartment of the starboard berth.

 

[isaksp00]

Mine has the engine, battery and water tank all on the port side, with the motor at 85 lbs. It does not seem to cause any obvious list to port.