Hunter 23 outboard motor recommendation

[jmac2270]

Looking for advice on replacing Evinrude yachtwin 9.9 on my Hunter 23? Considering a Honda or Yamaha 8hp or 9hp. Anyone have experience with these and have any advice on
1. hp - do I need 9.9 or is 8 sufficient
2. 20 vs 25"shaft
3. I had one dealer say there is a "high thrust" model (at least for the 9.9) . Would that be needed? Is it just fitted with a different prop?

I sail on GA coast - strong tidal currents and even inland waterways can get quite choppy). With my motor mount, the Yachtwin easily has adequate immersion unless waves get big enough that I don't want to be out in them anyway. The Yachtwin shaft seems at least 25".

Thanks.

 

[CharlzO]

the extra long shaft (25") is ideal, but if you have a kicker mount, you can do with the 20 in most situations. Only you can determine if you're likely to get caught in waves tall enough to lift the prop from the water. The high thrust is basically the prop designed to move via power, versus speed to plane like you would with a bass boat or the like. You're boat is fairly light displacement, you'd likely be fine with the 8 hp, especially if there's a big cost difference between what you're looking at between them, or if there's a larger weight difference than you'd like. For the record, I have a 26' boat with almost twice the displacement, and I have a 9.8hp with a normal prop and I'm more than fine on Lake Ontario even with decent winds. And that's coming off a Johnson 6 hp originally this season that only had a hard time moving me at more than 2 knots, in direct breaking 4'+ waves with a 20" shaft that was coming out of the water half the time. If there's not a huge price and weight difference, then sure, get the 9hp, but you'll be fine with either.

 

[jmac2270]

Thanks! I appreciate your help.

 

[isaksp00]

I have an older 8HP Honda, and it is more than enough. Of course, I am on a lake with no currents and no large waves to speak of.

 

[Paladin27]

I have a Mercury 8HP Long Shaft (20") and a Garelick motor mount that I replaced the factory mount with. I have sailed in 6' wave conditions with this setup and it works pretty well. Before, with the 5HP Nissan that came with the boat, I got into some situations on big wave days that were pretty tense. I will say that even with the 20".... the prop breaks the water when I crest waves that are 5'+. So I'd say... the longer the better.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

As one of the largest dealers of the H23, for the coast an 8 hp is fine even to maneuver in waves but if high wave activity, go with the 25 inch shaft. Think about electric start as when it is running it is charging the battery and it will never overcharge the battery with that either. Been a lot of discussion on that but the consensus agrees with me. Have a blessed day.