Ideas for an underpowered Oday 30"

[Stuart]

I have a 12 hp Yanmar on my 1979 30" Oday. I love the boat but if it was built today it would have more power. What can I do to maximize what I get out of my existing engine? and; Has anyone gone through the upgrade and repower?

 

[Don Evans]

Reprop?

Other than spending the money to repower (is the value of the boat worth the 10K investment?), I would suggest at the minimum, a 3 blade prop, properly sized and pitched for your boat/engine variables. If you have a 2 blade prop, the switch to a straight 3 blade adds much to the cost/benefit ratio. If you want to spend a bit more money, and having read many opinions on variable pitch, folding and feathering props, read the responses in the archive from the prop/drivetrain forum. You may want to post this question there.Don

 

[James]

I agree with Don......look at the prop

Stuart,  I used to have a power boat that could not get out of the water. Plenty of engine, but no way to transfer it to the water. We reproped it and it was a different boat. Now, I only have a 23ft sail with a 9.9. In a strong wind and strong current,it seemed to be a struggle for the motor. I decieded to change to a power prop. It is a wider prop with a lesser pitch so it can screw through the water. It looked a bit funny on the 9.9 after looking at the speed prop that came with it. What a change!! More power and more speed. It was a lot cheaper than replaceing the motor. Unless the boat is just grossly underpowered, then a proper prop will make the difference. Good luck, James