Motor
The Max HP on the original bracket was 10 HP, but that is using a 2 cycle engine. 4 cycle engines weigh more. They torque the brackets more too. I have 3 Vn 23's (just sold one) and have used everthing from a British Seagull Feather Weight (about 1.2 HP) to a Honda 10 HP. (other motors include a 6 HP 2 cycle and an 8 HP 2 cycle) Top speed was the same. The loudest engine is the Sea Gull, the quietest was the Honda. The Honda required a new heay duty bracket with a hydrolic ram assist (big bucks). The Sea Gull has a 5 bladed low pitch prop and is doing Max WOT at 4.5 knots. (except the saegull all motors have a 3 blade low pitch prop)Yes I could squeek a fraction of a knot more out of the 10 HP. The 10 HP Honda also used more than twice the fuel, but it did have electric start, which I never used. My favorite motor is my 8 HP 2 cycle. Not because of the power, but because it has a charging circuit, and remote controlls (throttle and shift, mounted in the cockpit). The Seagull only has forward, no clutch, no recoil starter, never breaks, never fails to run, can power my boat to at least 4 knots towing a North American 23 behind her. It's not HP with a sail boat, but how much thrust you can get from your prop that counts. If I were to buy a new engine, I would get the Tohatsu, 5 HP. It can be had with a long shaft (if the prop's not in the water, there's no thrust) a charging curcuit, and has a built in fuel tank, as well as being able to hook up to a remote fuel tank. Remotes are available for this motor too. I think it comes with the 6" pitch prop, so get the 5" pitch 3 blade prop and try that for more thrust.That would give you plenty of power, a long enough shaft, ability to charge your batteries, remotes so you don't have to hang over the stern to shift from forward to reverse, no need to have a fuel tank in the cockpit, except on long trips, and not too much weight, saving you from having to get a new engine bracket.
