I have a 16' DS II and the old 4hp Johnson that came with it has finally given up. I'm thinking of replacing it with a 2.5 hp motor. Just want to get in and out when the wind dies. Question: Will the 2.5 hp do the job?
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I don't see why not, provided that you're not trying to stem a foul current on a river, during a mid Spring Tide. Personally, I would get the Johnson repaired, because they are more reliable than the new 4 strokes in my opinion.
If the 2.5 hp is propped right, it will work fine! I presently have a 4 hp on my DS II, but originally used a 2.3 hp Johnson. I also borrowed my Dad's 2 HP Johnson once and it worked fine, actually better than the 2.3 hp. The 2 had the right prop I guess, I never felt I was getting the full power of the 2.3 hp due to it having what seemed like too much pitch to the prop. I couldn't sense any real change in speed above 2/3 throttle, and it seemed like the motor wasn't really gaining any RPM beyond that point. The motor worked fine on a small dinghy, so it wasn't the motor....but the prop would seem the culprit. I actually had 2 different propellers for that 2.3 hp, both were 3-blades, 1st was plastic and 7.5" dia. x 4.5" pitch, 2nd was Aluminum and 7.25" dia. x 5" pitch. I use the "sailboat" propeller on my 4 hp Johnson, aluminum, 7.5" dia. x 6.5" pitch, that gives plenty of power and close to 6.5 knots!
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