Let's Play...What Size Engine!

[avd155]

Hi there, I recently bought a 26' Reinell 1974 without the outboard. I have been debating what size engine I need, I'm thinking somewhere around 7.5 - 9hp? I've checked out other boats in the marina and they seem to have smaller than that. What's everyone suggestion as far as outboard engine size goes?

Thanks so much!

 

[sailingdog]

Shouldn't need much for a 26' Reinell. Just remember that four-stroke engines are significantly heavier than their older two-stroke counterparts. I'd say go with a 6 HP four-stroke, like the Tohatsu. It won't be enough to power the boat in really nasty chop or such, but if that's the case, you probably wouldn't be out sailing.

 

[BobM]

I hate to disagree with Sailingdog, but must. I had a boat of similar keel design, length and weight. I started with a 9.9hp, it got stolen and I bought an 8hp. Both were extra long shaft, which is a plus in a saltwater vessel, but perhaps not necessary given the Reinell's hull shape aft if you will stay in fresh water. The 8hp would hit hull speed and was adequate (the 9.9 did have more omph in a pinch, as you might expect...I'd still go with the 8hp though as the 9.9 was over 100lbs and the 8hp was closer to 80 and much easier to handle for mounting/removal. A 9.9 will be easier to find used though).

Also, a smaller outboard might not have options such as electric start or a charging system, if you desire them (the Tohatsu 6hp comes in a ultra long shaft with a charging system as of 2006). In my opinion, electric start really isn't necessary for a well maintained outboard in this size range. I had a charging system on my outboard, but never hooked it up as I had a small solar panel. This was adequate for daysailing, but if you overnight a lot the charging system would be a plus, as it didn't take much time with the running lights on to run down a single small battery.

If you are going to buy a new or newer outboard the whole 2 vs. 4 stroke controversy arises. I suggest you troll the archives on that topic, as discussions were and will be substantial if we raise it again.

 

[Rich (P303)]

Hi there, I recently bought a 26' Reinell 1974 without the outboard. I have been debating what size engine I need, I'm thinking somewhere around 7.5 - 9hp? I've checked out other boats in the marina and they seem to have smaller than that. What's everyone suggestion as far as outboard engine size goes?

Thanks so much!

Better with more engine than less, especially on the ocean. I have a 4HP 4 stoke for my 10' RIB... at that... it is not enough.

 

[sailingdog]

Of course, it would help to know where the boat is being used.

 

[BobM]

I agree Portland OR or Portland ME? or other?

 

[higgs]

i would want as much power as I could get, so would lean towards the 9.9. You never hear anyone complain that they have too much power, but you certainly hear complaints about under powered boats. Where you will be sailing is a factor.

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

Random thoughts- on outboard

Take some time and read all specs. For example Tohatsu /Nissan/ Merc 4,5 and 6 horse motors all use same single cylinder block and weigh within a pound or two of each other. The 8 and 9 horse use two cylinder block and are pretty much identical. The smaller motors are MUCH easier to mount by one person. As soon as you pickup the larger engines it is obvious that a third hand would be nice. The smaller series uses significantly less fuel and may be OK on a lighter engine mount initially designed for a two stroke. The boat is slightly happier under sail with just the smaller engine bumming a ride. The larger engines require a beefier mount with a fresh/strong spring to get motor out of water during sail. The two cylinder motors are better balanced and smoother when being run harder. If I was pleasure sailing an area with little current, low chop and on an easy schedule I would get the smaller 6 horse engine. If I tended to have a schedule with time constraints, variable current and chop, I would get the larger 8 or 9.8 engine. Have fun!

 

[Barnacle Bill]

Just a few comments: Most sailboats require long shafts regardless of whether they are used in salt or fresh water. It is a matter of getting the shaft deep enough into the water if hung on a higher transom of a sailboat the size you have. Exceptions would be smaller boats or boats with motor wells (but even most smaller boats need long shafts on sailboat transoms). 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke? Well, one day all you will be able to buy, for EPA reasons, a 4 stroke. Many 2 strokes are not available now in a new outboard. 4-strokes are heavier (Nissan makes the lightest of them all, I think), but are more efficient (power and fuel), are tons quieter and you don't mix the gas and oil (they have a crankcase for oil like many lawnmowers). Size? 10 hp max for that size boat. The more hp above that will be a waste of money. Your boat will not go faster and the 10 HP with long shaft should have enough power. If you sail on an inland lake where the winds and seas don't pipe up much, you can get buy with a smaller outboard. If you are coastal sailing where you can get into bigger waves and have to travel longer distances, the 10 hp is a must. Hope this helps.

 

[knowitall]

Tohatsu makes Nissan etc. (see link)

http://www.onlineoutboards.com/m_help.html#p_2

 

[bffatcat]

outboard size

I just bought a new 8HP Tohatsu 4 cycle this past season for my Pearson 26 weekender. The boat displaces 5200 lbs. and the engine will push it at hull speed in a calm at about 1/2 throttle. The engine weights 83 lbs I probably could have got by with a 6 hp which weighted
less. I wouldnt go for over kill. The lighter the better my opinion)

 

[MoonSailer]

The weight of your boat matters little with respect to engine size. Drag due to wetted area and windage is much more important. The weight is supported by water and water is basically flat so no pushing up hills as in a car. So a full keel might require a bigger engine than a fin keel or daggerboard boat. A longer boat will need less power than a shorter fatter boat of the same weight.

 

[sand sailor]

got a 3hp lightwin for my santana. found it in a dumpster. great for the size , it fits in the trunk i only use it for getting in or out of coves when the wind dies (wish it we're a long shaft but i get by)

 

[Manny]

I've got a long shaft Honda 8hp four banger on my 27' Hunter, no complaints about power. I think the key is to have the right prop on the outboard. I've had a noticeable improvement in responsiveness since I replaced the factory prop for one with a lower pitch.

Manny

 

[Ron20324]

I'm not familiar with your Reinell boat's intended use and hull design and motor mount, but that would be the biggest factor. Isn't there a manufacturer's plate mounted in the cockpit that lists max person and/or motor capacity? While the opinions will certainly vary in their answers, the weight only is a factor when you have to muscle mount/unmount the engine. My flat-bottom Beneteau 23-5 came with a 6 hp 2-stroke. Sure, it would move the boat in a calm when leaving/coming to the dock and such. The first time a "small craft warning"- wind came up, I could only do one knot into the wind- and shelter. Over that winter I got an extra-long (25") shaft Honda 8. The larger size of the prop on the 4-strokes was what sold me. Even that 23-footer was rated for a max of 15 hp. When your boat's pitching in the chop, the XL shaft is alot more likely to stay in the water. You can actually break the shaft if it goes in and out of the choppy water when running. The post about changing the prop pitch is a good idea if needed. My feeling is you need at least 9.9, and I'd go to 15 if your boat and muscle can handle the weight.

 

[knowitall]

Manny - you nailed it right there.

The number one factor in the proper use of outboards on sailboats, is to get the correct size prop with the correct pitch. T
Props that come with the outboards rarely match the requirements needed to move a sailboat efficiently.



http://www.internetoutboards.com/partdetail.asp?id=598

 

[Capt. Kermie]

Try and refrain from Getting By with a smaller engine, and get something worth paying for. At some point you will be fighting a headwind, heavy chop, currents, tides, all manner of challenges, you don't want some anemic engine screaming it's guts out to push you at one knot. A 9.9 engine is popular and easy to come by and weighs in around a hundred pounds, as long as you don't have to lift it off all the time get a bigger one.

 

[skipperpaul88]

Hi, The motor you need depends entirely on where and under what conditions you sail. I also sail in the Pacific Northwest in the summer with my Catalina 250. With the unpredictable weather, currents, and the straits with "slack tide" only recommended passage I would recommend the 9.9 h.p. motors.

I have a 9.9 Tohatsu longshaft with remote controls, and an alternator. It has performed flawlessly for the past four years. Under fairly calm conditions I run it at about half to three quarters throttle with very little fuel consumption. The power is there when you need it to keep it into the wind for sailhandling, getting through straits, and cross currents.

I have a removable tie in from the motor to the rudder which really helps when docking or manuvering in tight conditions as I usually am single handing with my 11 year old daughter as my entire crew.

 

[BobM]

If I had kept my last boat, I probably would have tried the power thruster, a set of fins that focus thrust, to get more out of the 8hp I had. I don't know if anyone has tried one. Manny is right about prop and pitch...but you would think that a Johnson Sailmaster or Evinrude Yachtwin...marketed for sailing...would come already equipped with a prop suited to sailing.

 

[Warren Milberg]

All you ever have to do is get caught out in a blow with an underpowered boat, with the wind coming from the direction of home, to realize you need as much horsepower as your boat can reasonably carry. A 2-hp engine will push your boat adequately in flat wind and water conditions. A 6-hp engine will do nicely in "most," but not all, conditions you would safely sail in. To me, an 8-hp, 4-cycle engine would maximize the power/weight ratio nicely. You wouldn't go wrong with a 9.9 hp, but its extra cost, weight, and fuel consumption would not be an advantage, IMHO. Go with the 8 hp engine.