Legacy owners - auxiliary outboard advice please

Jul 23, 2021
1
ComPac Legacy Rockport, TX
I am acquiring a Legacy 16’. I am considering getting a Tohatsu 3.5 hp long shaft. Enough power? 5 HP seems overkill and too heavy. Feedback on Tohatsu? TIA.
 
Feb 20, 2011
7,990
Island Packet 35 Tucson, AZ/San Carlos, MX
Feedback on Tohatsu?
Great motor. May I suggest the 4hp 4 stroke extra long shaft?
A couple of reasons, as the 4, 5 and 6 hp all share the same upper and lower unit. Only difference is the carburetor, so one could upgrade power very cheaply.
The extra long shaft may come in handy, both in choppy conditions and for possible resale value.
My $0.02.
 
Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
Welcome to the forum and congratulation on soon to be new sailboat!!

Good advise by justsomeguy............... I will add that one way to size the minimum outboard motor hp is based on the formula in this article: hp = displacement in lbs / 550 How to Calculate Outboard Motor Size for Sailboats - Improve Sailing. I might be inclined to install a smaller lighter hp motor for ease of handling and reduce the weight attached to the transom. You could even consider a lightweightTorqeedo electric motor (603 or 1103), albeit they are about twice the price of an equivalent hp gasoline 4 stroke engine, which I use on my dinghy.
 
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