Hunter 240 What is the best motor for a 240?
- Thread starter Fast Ed
- Start date
Hi, Ed, see you're in NC. What kind of waters do you sail on? Lakes?, bays?, ocean edge? That'll help us to help you. Also, do you have a range of hp in mind? Have you started to your own search for available models from Tohatsu, Mercury and Honda for electric starts? I used to own a C22 and C25 of SF Bay and both used 7.5 hp engines and were fine, so I'm guessing that or a 9.9 for you.
There are a lot of choices. Read reviews. BTW....I had an H26 and could push at hull speed at 1/2 throttle on a Tohatsu 6. You don't need to go any larger than a 6 for a 240. Some people here will talk about head wind and currents ...head wind might actually be a thing but currents not so much. Hull speed is hull speed regardless of current. I would recommend you stay at 6 HP or below. A smaller engine is easier to mount, burns less gas, easy to remove and bring home for maint... and weighs less on the transom. When I got mine, I was very interested in an OB with an alternator. But later I added solar so... that became less of an attraction.
Get the extra long shaft version of whatever you choose.
BTW: I really liked my Tohatsu. It was a pull start but it always started by the second pull.
Get the extra long shaft version of whatever you choose.
BTW: I really liked my Tohatsu. It was a pull start but it always started by the second pull.
To reiterate about @rgranger said, solar is far better than an alternator. Alternators dump a small amount of current and widely fluctuating voltages into the battery. It's just enough to start it next time.
I had a 94 4hp Mercury that was made by Tohatsu. I hated it. It always started but a few times it took me 20 minutes of pulling before it came to life. When I moved to a bigger motor, I didn't hook up the battery cable right away. I never thought that an electric start would have enhanced the sailing experience as much as it did. I also think it's good in emergency situations.
I had a 94 4hp Mercury that was made by Tohatsu. I hated it. It always started but a few times it took me 20 minutes of pulling before it came to life. When I moved to a bigger motor, I didn't hook up the battery cable right away. I never thought that an electric start would have enhanced the sailing experience as much as it did. I also think it's good in emergency situations.
For kicks and grins, I looked at the Online Outboard website the 8hp Mercury is available with an electric start. The other awesome thing about the Mercury is the twist grip shifter. You can shift from forward to reverse by twisting the throttle handle back across neutral without taking your hand off of the motor tiller or your eyes off of what is around you. With one hand on the boat tiller the other on the motor tiller you can steer with both, and it really makes for some great maneuverability.
That feature makes the Mercury the best option.
That feature makes the Mercury the best option.
The first motor on my H260 was a 1hp Yamaha. This pushed the boat just fine in calm conditions. Any wind, boat wake, current and I didn't have enough power. I upgraded to a 9.9hp Yamaha, the max weight for my motor mount. You don't need more hp than that to reach hull speed. (Under 6kts) The real key to successful motoring these models was linking the motor to the rudder, so the thrust can be aimed.