removehtml]i have 5hp engine will it motor a mac25 safely Error: Error: expected [/URL], but found [/removehtml] instead[/removehtml]
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Maybe
It depends on the waves and wind. I think you would be fine on an in-land lake where waves never get over 1 or 2 foot. I have 8 HP, and consider that pretty good on Lake Michigan. Even so, on windy days when the waves exceed four feet or so, I have wished for more. I made headway, but very slowly at times.
It depends on the waves and wind. I think you would be fine on an in-land lake where waves never get over 1 or 2 foot. I have 8 HP, and consider that pretty good on Lake Michigan. Even so, on windy days when the waves exceed four feet or so, I have wished for more. I made headway, but very slowly at times.
5hp extra long shaft should be fine
Make sure it is an extra long shaft. A 4-5 hp is good, especially if you plan on racing. Less weight on the boat makes anyboat sail faster. I also agree on dancing bear about the currents. I had a 4hp on a heavier 23footer and worked fine.
Make sure it is an extra long shaft. A 4-5 hp is good, especially if you plan on racing. Less weight on the boat makes anyboat sail faster. I also agree on dancing bear about the currents. I had a 4hp on a heavier 23footer and worked fine.
too small?
What is it about the big waves that make an 8 hp too small (for a classic style sailboat)? Ive had my boat out in what I consider fairly high winds (high winds even by a windsurfers standards) and lost maybe 30% speed but I thought the 8 hp was more than enough. Is it the prop comming out of the water (in which case a longer shaft is more useful than more HP) or is it something else like just dealing with more drag on the hull?
What is it about the big waves that make an 8 hp too small (for a classic style sailboat)? Ive had my boat out in what I consider fairly high winds (high winds even by a windsurfers standards) and lost maybe 30% speed but I thought the 8 hp was more than enough. Is it the prop comming out of the water (in which case a longer shaft is more useful than more HP) or is it something else like just dealing with more drag on the hull?
Big waves or High winds
Walt, A few years back I got caught out in the San Pedro Channel with 40-45 kt winds and steep seas sailing Catalina 38. Barely able to make 1 kt into the wind at full throttle with 40 hp. Had to run off to get back to Avalon Harbor. Windage is a very significant factor when considering appropriate hp for any vessel. Try rowing upwind in any dinghy againts 15-20 kts. Dennis W. S/V FullSailed
Walt, A few years back I got caught out in the San Pedro Channel with 40-45 kt winds and steep seas sailing Catalina 38. Barely able to make 1 kt into the wind at full throttle with 40 hp. Had to run off to get back to Avalon Harbor. Windage is a very significant factor when considering appropriate hp for any vessel. Try rowing upwind in any dinghy againts 15-20 kts. Dennis W. S/V FullSailed
Horsepower
jhon I have a 9.9 on my mac 25. When I first got my boat, it had no motor. I was told that all I needed was something to get me out of the marina (relatively true). I got a 30 pound thrust Trolling motor. Lots of fun, except when the wind was good going out and then dies, leaving me a couple of miles from the marina. 30 pounds of thrust is a very slow, slow go. And then one day, a storm blew up. I almost got back to the marina, within 100 yards or so ... The winds got up so that I could not bring the front of the boat around. The harder I worked the further from the marina I got. So I threw out the anchor and decided to ride it out ... for 45 minutes. some one said inland lakes with 1 - 2 ft. waves. That may have been all there was, but it sure seemed like 3 - 4. (which i am sure for the seasoned guys is still not much ... but for me, 45 minutes was a very long time). Next I got a 50 pound thrust. It was better, but still not good. Then I got the 9.9. It is a short shaft, which as someone said, is hard to keep in the water at higher winds and larger waves, but it still pushes me through very well. I do worry about the weight, but up to this point it does not seem to be a problem. However, I would not trailer the boat to be pulled very far with that motor on ... seems heavy to me. For me now, with the 9.9, is the motor mount. It is very hard to lift, and very hard to push down. Frustrating both ways. And when I lift it up, I have trouble tilting the motor for sailing. Not sure what to do with all of that. Kevin
jhon I have a 9.9 on my mac 25. When I first got my boat, it had no motor. I was told that all I needed was something to get me out of the marina (relatively true). I got a 30 pound thrust Trolling motor. Lots of fun, except when the wind was good going out and then dies, leaving me a couple of miles from the marina. 30 pounds of thrust is a very slow, slow go. And then one day, a storm blew up. I almost got back to the marina, within 100 yards or so ... The winds got up so that I could not bring the front of the boat around. The harder I worked the further from the marina I got. So I threw out the anchor and decided to ride it out ... for 45 minutes. some one said inland lakes with 1 - 2 ft. waves. That may have been all there was, but it sure seemed like 3 - 4. (which i am sure for the seasoned guys is still not much ... but for me, 45 minutes was a very long time). Next I got a 50 pound thrust. It was better, but still not good. Then I got the 9.9. It is a short shaft, which as someone said, is hard to keep in the water at higher winds and larger waves, but it still pushes me through very well. I do worry about the weight, but up to this point it does not seem to be a problem. However, I would not trailer the boat to be pulled very far with that motor on ... seems heavy to me. For me now, with the 9.9, is the motor mount. It is very hard to lift, and very hard to push down. Frustrating both ways. And when I lift it up, I have trouble tilting the motor for sailing. Not sure what to do with all of that. Kevin
5 HP is Dinghy engine
I use a 5hp on my dinghy, and I suppose if my sailboat was a Laser or some other small dinghy sailer the 5hp would be fine for that also. On a bigger 25-26 foot 3000# plus sailboat, no way, but then I sail in the salt chuck with tides and currents and sometimes big wind and waves so 5hp in my case would be irresponsible. We get some pretty strong currents when the tides fluctuate 10-15 feet. Personally wether it be lake or salt, a 9.9 would be the minimum hp of my choice if for no other reason than peace of mind, knowing I have the power when I need it most. A 5hp Honda that I have weighs 60#, a 8 or 9.9 would weigh about 100#, not a whole lot more to worry about, kind of like having an extra child passenger along. I would worry less about weight and be more concerned with the safety of having sufficient power when the occasion calls for it. Save your 5hp for your dinghy that you will eventually get if you already don't have one. It is your life, your safety and your boat that is being put at risk, what is it worth to you?
I use a 5hp on my dinghy, and I suppose if my sailboat was a Laser or some other small dinghy sailer the 5hp would be fine for that also. On a bigger 25-26 foot 3000# plus sailboat, no way, but then I sail in the salt chuck with tides and currents and sometimes big wind and waves so 5hp in my case would be irresponsible. We get some pretty strong currents when the tides fluctuate 10-15 feet. Personally wether it be lake or salt, a 9.9 would be the minimum hp of my choice if for no other reason than peace of mind, knowing I have the power when I need it most. A 5hp Honda that I have weighs 60#, a 8 or 9.9 would weigh about 100#, not a whole lot more to worry about, kind of like having an extra child passenger along. I would worry less about weight and be more concerned with the safety of having sufficient power when the occasion calls for it. Save your 5hp for your dinghy that you will eventually get if you already don't have one. It is your life, your safety and your boat that is being put at risk, what is it worth to you?
Sailing w 5 hp is ok
people have sailed with 5 hp around the world. Its actually practical since you could use the motor for your dinghy. I have a 9hp and end up buying a 4 hp for my dingy. Its easy to take on and off the boat. Also, If you do buy a 9hp, you will have a hard time steering from the motor tiller. If the area your sailing has no problems with strong currents, buy a 4hp yamaha long shaft. With the price saving, you would be able to buy a dingy.
people have sailed with 5 hp around the world. Its actually practical since you could use the motor for your dinghy. I have a 9hp and end up buying a 4 hp for my dingy. Its easy to take on and off the boat. Also, If you do buy a 9hp, you will have a hard time steering from the motor tiller. If the area your sailing has no problems with strong currents, buy a 4hp yamaha long shaft. With the price saving, you would be able to buy a dingy.
motoring into waves
Walt, The issue I had was leaving the marina, on a wavy (4 footers) and windy (10 to 15 mph) day. The waves were traveling towards the shore, and I was going out. I was motoring into the wind too. I made headway, but it was pretty slow going. On that day, I decided if I had to upgrade, I would get 10 horsepower. Surfing back in was much faster. What a great day it was. My motor is a 1984ish, 8 hp, Evinrude Yachtwin, with a long shaft.
Walt, The issue I had was leaving the marina, on a wavy (4 footers) and windy (10 to 15 mph) day. The waves were traveling towards the shore, and I was going out. I was motoring into the wind too. I made headway, but it was pretty slow going. On that day, I decided if I had to upgrade, I would get 10 horsepower. Surfing back in was much faster. What a great day it was. My motor is a 1984ish, 8 hp, Evinrude Yachtwin, with a long shaft.
Sales litrerature says,
The max HP motor is 10 HP. Mine came with a 7.5 hp which I changed to a 8 hp when the 7.5 was stolen. No problems except in big waves the prop sometimes came out of the water. Beefed up the new motor mount so I could trailer with the motor mounted on the boat. One night I came home to find the original mount attached by only 1 of 4 bolts and safety line. New mount had adjustable up and down but I found that at the right "notch" I could use the tilt mode of the Honda 8 to get the prop to clear the water. 5 Hp sounds too small to me. My dingy has a 2 HP.
The max HP motor is 10 HP. Mine came with a 7.5 hp which I changed to a 8 hp when the 7.5 was stolen. No problems except in big waves the prop sometimes came out of the water. Beefed up the new motor mount so I could trailer with the motor mounted on the boat. One night I came home to find the original mount attached by only 1 of 4 bolts and safety line. New mount had adjustable up and down but I found that at the right "notch" I could use the tilt mode of the Honda 8 to get the prop to clear the water. 5 Hp sounds too small to me. My dingy has a 2 HP.
Size does matter!
I sail out of Long Beach and have moved up to a 9.8hp from a 7.5 hp outboard. Best move I ever made. I was out this past weekend in 3 to 4 foot seas and 15 kt winds. The extra hp made all the difference in the world when coming back to the marina.
I sail out of Long Beach and have moved up to a 9.8hp from a 7.5 hp outboard. Best move I ever made. I was out this past weekend in 3 to 4 foot seas and 15 kt winds. The extra hp made all the difference in the world when coming back to the marina.
5hp seems to work fine on my 26S
A new owner with only 3 trips to the lake under my belt. Last time out on Canyon Lake we got caught in white caps and 26 mph. I pulled in all the sails and motored directly into the wind with the 1992 5 hp outboard. No problems and made enough headway to satisfy me and my passengers. Probably doing about 5 mph against the waves and wind. Made it back to the boat ramp with no issues. Did I worry about what would happen if the motor quit? You becha! But by the time I made it upwind enough to be able to sail over to the ramp if needed, I was feeling ok. Of course ..... what else .... it was the admiral's first trip out with me. I never even connected the boom or raised the main. Love that furler on the front! So - - 5hp is my selection. Of course, my philosophy is the lighter and simpler, the better (e.i. - - notice my other toy). At any throttle setting I just set it straight ahead and steer easily with the tiller. Handles quite differently when you swing up the center board though ...... Still smiling, Nelson Amen
A new owner with only 3 trips to the lake under my belt. Last time out on Canyon Lake we got caught in white caps and 26 mph. I pulled in all the sails and motored directly into the wind with the 1992 5 hp outboard. No problems and made enough headway to satisfy me and my passengers. Probably doing about 5 mph against the waves and wind. Made it back to the boat ramp with no issues. Did I worry about what would happen if the motor quit? You becha! But by the time I made it upwind enough to be able to sail over to the ramp if needed, I was feeling ok. Of course ..... what else .... it was the admiral's first trip out with me. I never even connected the boom or raised the main. Love that furler on the front! So - - 5hp is my selection. Of course, my philosophy is the lighter and simpler, the better (e.i. - - notice my other toy). At any throttle setting I just set it straight ahead and steer easily with the tiller. Handles quite differently when you swing up the center board though ...... Still smiling, Nelson Amen
5hp is enough, till its NOT.
5hp is fine, in protected waters, most lakes, and some rivers. its not enough in the gulf stream. and I doubt adequate in the pacific NW. its like towing with a mini van... most of the time it will be fine. until you need to do a panic stop at 65mph. same for the OB. it will work fine, until you hit 3knts of current, with some waves... -fwiw, my biggest problem is the lenght of the motor shaft... I have a merc sailboat motor (25" shaft I think), but the motor will cavitate in as little as 3' of seas... IF they are short wave lenghts. when that happens I'm down to 1-2 knots.. or the motor just cavitates and will burn out the waterpump. get the longest shaft you can! thats my suggestion. YMMV
5hp is fine, in protected waters, most lakes, and some rivers. its not enough in the gulf stream. and I doubt adequate in the pacific NW. its like towing with a mini van... most of the time it will be fine. until you need to do a panic stop at 65mph. same for the OB. it will work fine, until you hit 3knts of current, with some waves... -fwiw, my biggest problem is the lenght of the motor shaft... I have a merc sailboat motor (25" shaft I think), but the motor will cavitate in as little as 3' of seas... IF they are short wave lenghts. when that happens I'm down to 1-2 knots.. or the motor just cavitates and will burn out the waterpump. get the longest shaft you can! thats my suggestion. YMMV
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