Motor size recommendation

[Sanderscarguy]

Hello,

I am new to sailing and have come across a 22 ft Cherokee sailboat for next to nothing. I want to try to use it but it does not have an outboard motor right now. I am also missing all of the inside cushions. I would like to use it and know it is good before investing in cushions or other items.

I also have a trailer that has new axles but needs some minor frame and bracing work. That shouldn't be much of a problem for us to repair and weld ourselves.

Any input and suggestions for a person new to sailing would be great.

Thanks,
Brian

It was towed in and not picked up so it was not necessarily a "freebie" as you might normally think of. We are going to be going through it the best we can before attempting to use it. At first glance, I am feeling pretty hopeful about it.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

pics? Careful. a free boat rarely is free.

last time it was sailed? condition of rig, sails, hull, etc ?


This is the only hit I found on cherokee 22 (a woodie)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVWeYykNaLY




on the ob, if you are a lake sailor, probably a 6hp long shaft will do it. maybe a 4-5hp.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVWeYykNaLY

 

[shemandr]

If you simply want to motor out to the sailing area, and back a 3.5 hp 2 stroke will do Tahastu, Mercury, Nisson - they are all basically the same. Is there a bracket? You'll need to be able to raise the motor so it's not dragging in the water as you sail.

 

[Benny17441]

A 4HP or 5HP engine should be adequate.

 

[Sanderscarguy]

The rigging appears to be there, we are going to do a set up of everything pretty soon with the rigging and mast which seem to be ok. The sail looks great, doesn't appear to be very old. The hull looks ok from what I can tell.

 

[Ken Cross]

Actually most any small motor (less than 6 HP) should do. We were able to move our MacGregor 26D with a Honda 2hp at over 4 MPH. The only real issue is weight. More weight out there on that motor mount will pull the transom down.

I particularly like 4 strokes for several reasons. 2 strokes are outlawed in some places and more places will follow suit in the future due to emissions. They are easier on fuel, easier to start, and they sound better. Some say quieter, but if you actually measure the noise it's similar in lever, but less annoying due to frequency. You don't have to mix your fuel.

The down side of a 4 stroke - slightly heavier.

 

[Sprega]

I think what you have is a Chrysler 22. Nice boats. You said the sail (as only one ) appears to be in good condition. There should be at least two sails. If the rigging and sails are good, I think you may have scored a nice boat. 3 - 6 hp motor should not have to be a long shaft looking at the outboard bracket. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[LittleCreek]

There are a lot of 22-23 foot boots in my area. They all seem to have 3.5 - 6 HP motors on the back.

 

[RIVERCRUISER]

It does appear to be a Chrysler C 22.

Check this link:

http://www.chryslersailors.com

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Regarding motors, will you be keeping the boat at the Marine Corps base and if so, the current in the river may be an issue. I would suggest at minimum a 5 hp and if you are going to use that outboard motor bracket in the same location, you do not want the extra long shaft. There are suggestions but how far do you want to go with the monies.

As for the trailer, you best look close at it all over as well as the keel tray. Are the tires dry rotted and if so, replace them. This includes the hitch and and stand.

It would be best to check for the hull integrity, mast, rigging and the list goes on.

If you do not have the title or bill of sale for the boat, then walk away. It can be difficult in North Carolina. I was involved with the remake of that application which in a sense was copied from Virginia. You are now required to title that boat in North Carolina. If it is abandoned then there is a procedure for that as well.

I use to own American Marine & Sail Supply located in North Carolina but now closed which is why I do know a lot. One other thing. Be careful of the cotton mouths.

 

[FourPoints]

First confirm what boat it is (look at the hull number assuming it's not too old to have one.

Second, once you know for sure what the boat is, find out what the displacement is, add 300lbs per person you will put onboard, and then round up to the next 1000lbs,

Third, take that rounded up displacement + cargo weight and multiply by 0.002. that gives you the guideline for engine size in horsepower (which is roughly 2 hp per 1000lbs of displacement), find the closest engine size to that you can. Size a little under and you'll probably only hit hull speed in calm flat water, size a little over that and you'll have enough power to push through some chop yet still maintain speed.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Four Points;

Look at my response. I know the area oh too well where he is at and probably attached to the Marine Corps base there. Let him respond to you and I first.

 

[Sanderscarguy]

I believe you guys are right and it is a Chrysler. It is a 1978 model C-22 swing keel. I had some guys I know that are experienced sailors and they came over today and looked at it and they believe it is ready to sail now. We found a lot of new rigging and pulleys and things inside the boat. The sails appear to be virtually new. The winch for the swing keel is new. They think it would only take a little bit to set it up and we can go take it out.
As for the title, I don't think that's going to be a problem because we followed all of the procedures for North Carolina and have sent out the notifications and have verbal approval from the guy handling it for Wildlife in Raleigh. He said we've covered all our bases and he will also be able to fix the title and change it from Cherokee to Chrysler. He did a VIN search and said that if it was built before 2003 or 2006 I think, that it would have to be a Chrysler. The trailer is no problem because I already got that put in my name a few months ago. The tires look really good and the axles are like new. The only problem I see with the trailer is I have to reposition one of the axles so the V frame of the trailer that is going down and rubbing the axle has more space.
I'm going to mail off the title application probably Monday and I'm planning to register it and get it ready to go in the water maybe next month.

 

[RIVERCRUISER]

When you trailer the boat be sure to lower the keel onto the trailer.

Had to install a 2X8 board on the trailer for my keel to rest upon.