Max HP for a 240 O'DAY

[dsreichert]

Currently I have an 8HP Johnson Sailmaster on an '88 240. This motor is probably original to the boat and its on its last leg. What do you think the max HP I could comfortably get?

 

[Tom J]

I had a Yamaha 9.9 HP four stroke on my O'Day 23. I wouldn't go much bigger than that. It was actually more power than I needed, but, boy, that extra thrust in reverse was sweet.

 

[anchorclanker]

I would have the sailmaster overhauled. 8 HP is probably sufficient, but you shouldnt need anything above 10. Honda's are nice. A 9.8 should work well. You can find good used ones reasonable if you keep a watchful eye.

 

[Joe11688]

I had my Johnson two stroke 8 hp overhauled last year. My 1999 Johnson outboard has the shift lever in front of the engine and it has the charging system. They're worth fixing.

Joe

 

[dscribner]

I've heard of many folks in our size range using 6 HP engines and being more than happy with the performance. I have an 8 HP like yours and I don't think the extra 25% would really do any good. Hull speed is hull speed so if you can't get it planing, anything more is a waste. A 4 stroke would be nice though. And I'm sort of interested in a propane engine. Supposedly cheaper to operate than gasoline and nor carburetor to screw up.

 

[djplatt]

I have an ODay 240 and have an 8 horse Tohatsu 4 stroke. It drives the boat to hull speed on about half throttle. I would have bought a smaller engine but wanted a twin for reduced vibration and charging. I don't see any point in going larger. It would add weight, use more fuel and would not drive the boat any faster.