Hunter with a yanmar 9hp

jtm · Feb 21, 2012

I've got an early model H28.5 and it has the 2GMF which effectively is a 13hp. The subsequent 28.5 s had 2GMF20 effectively 18hp. the 13 has done me well over the years.
Is that 9hp a one banger/single cyl??? What usual currents exist in the St. Law-?

Was that a retrofit engine? Sounds a bit soft for that size/displacement. If you are in a good head-on blow and motoring, I wonder if you'd make much headway. And if you're in a narrow channel/inlet working against anything more than slack tide, it could be of concern.

I was looking at a 33.5 with a 2gmf20 and thought it might be a bit soft in the ocean. inlet channel or in a good head-on blow.

It would be good to hear what others think.

Steve Dion · Feb 21, 2012

The rule of thumb is 1HP/500 lbs. If this boat displaces 6,000 lbs, approx 12 hp would be appropriate.

I think you get some powerful currents in the St Lawrence (?). If this is the case you would want the larger engine.

Claude L.-Auger · Feb 21, 2012

I sail the St.Lawrence on a regular basis. From Trois-Rivières (Three Rivers) West you will be frequently into 2.5 knots of current. So if you're facing a SW wind you might be a little short-changed with the 9 HP. You will get there, but you might not be able to get more than 3 to 3.5 knots SOG. Makes for a long day as the safe havens are quite a distance from one another. From Trois-Rivières East regardless of the size of your engine you will have to account for tidal currents and go with them as it's impossible to fight them. Some areas have up to 8 knots of current ! You ride it or you stay put ! Which means you have to do calculations and of course leave at whatever time is necessary, day or night. Some marinas dry up at low tide so you also have to take that in consideration ! Drop me a line if you ever decide to go and I'll pass a bunch of info on.

BTW, I,ve sailed Lake Champlain several times and you can get into nasty conditions there too: the lake brings in a lot of fetch because of its length and in a blow you will be into very choppy conditions, building up rapidly.

FYI, I had the 3GM30 20HP in my 34 and I repowered with the 3GM30 27 HP for the very same reasons mentioned above. Good luck

Alex Dare · Feb 22, 2012

I'd try to find one with the 2 cylinder Yanmar. Not only a lot smoother, but probably better resale when the time comes. You don't want to be on the other end trying to sell the only 280 out there with the smaller engine.

Benny17441 · Feb 22, 2012

If you can find the same boat with the 18HP engine by all means go for it but I would suspect that the majority of boats were sold with the basic 9HP engine. The 1GM single cylinder Yanmars rated at 6 and 8 HP have powered the h27 Cherubinis very adequately considering the boats have a dry displacement of around 7,000 lbs. I was looking at the tidal flows in the ST. Lawrence and most of it consists of currents in the 2 to 3 knot range. In a couple of places it is recorded at 4 knots and of course when you get into the narrows the venturi effect will propel it at higher speeds. Very few boats no matter how much power they have in their auxiliary can buck a 5+ knot current so you have to mindful of the time and direction of maximum flow so that as Claude puts it "You ride it or stay put" Since timing currents and staying put seems to be a necessity in navigating the waterway I would consider that the 9HP diesel would be adequate for the trip. If you consider that the 9HP will do an adequate job in your sailing area of Lake Champlain then you may have found your boat. I would never power a boat with just a single trip in mind. For that single trip I would put up with the inadequacies of a smaller engine. I mean go ahead and look for a boat with the larger engine or consider a larger boat in the 29-31 ft which may have the larger base engine. That is way North for us but it seems the St Lawrence would make for a very interesting trip.

Alex Dare · Feb 22, 2012

I believe that when the 280 was first introduced the 9hp was standard and the 18 was an option. Soon after, the 18hp was made standard equipment.

The upgrade engine option probably wasn't much more than 600 bucks at the time so i suspect very few ended up with the 9hp.

jdhohmann · Feb 22, 2012

I had a ranger 28 with a 9 HP single sylinder Diesel. That little thing worked like a charm. I am on the Saint John River in New Brunswick, with a usual current of about 1-2 Knots. Also went through our reversing falls with currents up to 13 KNots. The little banger workrd fantastic, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. You could always upgrade later if necessary and the boat is the right price...

Ken13559 · Feb 23, 2012

My friend has an H280 with 9hp (1GM10). It was grossly under powered in tidal condition. On several occassion his H280 would be pushed backwards by tide and storm weather while motoring. Go for 18hp if you can. You'll never know when you need the safety of larger engine to get you home safely.

jtm · Feb 27, 2012

Revisiting this topic, I recall my college pals that had motor cycles- the guy with a Triumph 500 said he didn't like the 250 or less cause it was a light bike ( which would go airborne on those expansion joints on concrete roads like the Major Deegan/Rt87 in Westchester Co.) and that you need more power(like a Triumph 500) to get yourself out of trouble. I think that fits this situation.

BTW- One day they were out in front of the girl's dorm - had swapped the bikes they were on- the guy with the 125 was on the Triumph 500 for the first time, he let the clutch out a bit too fast, the Triumph took off out from under him , up the girls dorm entrance stairs and crashed thru the glass doors. Ooops

Ken13559 · Feb 28, 2012

jtmccue said:
Revisiting this topic, I recall my college pals that had motor cycles- the guy with a Triumph 500 said he didn't like the 250 or less cause it was a light bike ( which would go airborne on those expansion joints on concrete roads like the Major Deegan/Rt87 in Westchester Co.) and that you need more power(like a Triumph 500) to get yourself out of trouble. I think that fits this situation.

BTW- One day they were out in front of the girl's dorm - had swapped the bikes they were on- the guy with the 125 was on the Triumph 500 for the first time, he let the clutch out a bit too fast, the Triumph took off out from under him , up the girls dorm entrance stairs and crashed thru the glass doors. Ooops

Well that's the excuse he would give to get in the girls' dorm :naughty:

MLampner · Mar 1, 2012

I own a first generation Hunter 30. It originally was equipped with a YSB-12. Theoretically it could produce 12hp, but that was always a generous number. With age the engine was generating even less so lets be nice and say it was a 9 hp engine.

I would guess the 30 is heavier than the 280 by a ways. There was no question the boat was underpowered by the engine. Occasionally it made for some very late nights but it got us where we had to including a run down the Delaware to Cape May and back to Baltimore. Delaware Bay has a very strong current and can be very rough given the wide open mouth. With careful handling and planning our flea powered YSB was more than adequate to contend with a 6 knot current 15 knots of wind on the bow.

Learning to move out of the deep water where the current was fastest and watching out for other features that might impact the current's force helps. It got us there and back so the quick answer is it should do what you need if its a one trip deal and you have no constraints on time.

My 30 repowered with another 5 or so HP (Now have the YM 15, the boat is a lot pleasanter to handle under power and can achieve hull speed. If you have to be places at set times go for the bigger power plant otherwise the 9 HP will be fine.

One other point diesels work best under full load and nearest their optimal RPM if the 18 is over powering the boat the engine will suffer from it.

Claude L.-Auger · Mar 1, 2012

The point I along with several others was making is that if you plan to regularly sail an area that has a lot of strong currents and long passages between safe harbours, i.e. the lower St.Lawrence River, then you might be happier, and safer, with the more powerful engine.

Now that you have clarified that most of your sailing is going to be on Lake Champlain, although the lake can get nasty, you do not have to worry about the power. There many sheltered areas and lots of marinas on the lake. Because of the smaller engine It may be a little longer getting to a safe haven, but the smaller engine will get you there. As for that one time trip to the St.Lawrence, the boat will be OK. Many boats there have the same kind of power. It does require careful planning because of the tidal range and current, but with preparation of each leg and the proper weather window, it is highly doable.

So, if it was me and I really liked the boat, and if of course it was priced right, I would seriously consider it and possibly make an offer. Conditional to a professional survey of course. If and when comes time to repower, rather than invest in another 9hp I would definitely look at the 2 cylinder engine. Good luck with you decision.

Ken13559 · Mar 4, 2012

Desalliers said:
I'm more and more confused. Some of you says it's enough and some says it's not...

The owner have this boat on the lake champlain since new so I guess it's enough power.

For the St-Lawrence river if I go there it's only for one trip.

Well my friend has his 280 brand new since 1995 and he's been struggling with the under powered ever since. I would go for 18hp for a h280. You never know when you wish you have that extra bit of Umph! in times of need.