Motor Size for 71 Oday 23

[Chass]

I currently have a 9.9 evinrude 2 stroke. Want to go to 9.9 honda 4 stroke, seems the weight is not that much more. Main reason for the switch is to have remote starting, charging capabilities while motoring, and remote throttle control. I do mostly single handed sailing and look for ways to make my sails easier on the "crew". Any one with experience on this? Any thoughts?CapnChuck

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Thoughts

Seems to me that those are all nice attributes to have but none require the Honda and none require an engine that big. I'd shop for the best combination of features and price - if its the Honda, great, but if not I'd go with something else. I'd think 6 or at most 8 would be plenty. I have an 8 on my 25 and can run at 6.4 knots with the throttle wacked open.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[neil walters]

9.9 Honda

I don't think you need that much engine. I have an o'day 26, it had a 9.9 johnson 2 stroke I replaced it with an 8 Honda and it has more power than it had with the 2 stroke. Had to also replace the bracket because of the extra tork not just the weight. A 6hp Honda should be all you need. You probably will need to replace the bracket also

 

[Mike]

A big engine

I agree with the other responses about needing to make sure that your outboard bracket is specifically rated to take a four stroke. If your bracket is the OEM, no way will it take a four stroke. I also think the weight difference between a four and two stroke is signficant. A 9.9 two stroke weighs about 80 pounds, and a 9.9 four stroke weighs about 120 lbs. Thirty or forty extra pounds makes a big difference when you are trying to raise the engine on its bracket. That being said, four strokes are much quieter and more fuel efficient. I hear they are more reliable too. I understand the attractiveness of the electric start. I have it on my 9.9 two stroke (on my '79 Oday 23), and I think I would insist on it for any replacement. Unfortunately, the smallest engine I have found with electric start is the Nissan two stroke 8 hp. You do not need to have a four stroke to have electric start or to have battery charging. BTW, I would talk to a mechanic about how much battery charging an outboard really does; I run my engine for maybe forty five minutes total getting in and out of the harbor and I don't know what sort of benefit my battery really gets from it.