Motor Size

[tgrass462]

We're thinking about, one day in the future, doing some or all of the LOOP in our H260. We currently have a Tohatsu 8HP 2 cycle OB - and it does a fine job on Carlyle Lake - but I have my doubts about 5 or 6 knot currents in the Intercoastal Waterway.

I've seen other Hunter 26's with a 15 HP outboard ... my question - is this too much motor? Is there a maximum weight (~100 pounds or so)? Is there a true maximum HP for a 260 (10 HP?) Would my boat hold a 4 cycle 15 HP Outboard?

Tom Grass
Grasshopper III
Lake Carlyle, Illinois

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I have a 9.9 hp 4 cycle on mine. As you may know, the 9.9 outboards have the same block as a 15 hp, and so are the same weight. The H260 has one beefy motor mount. It has no trouble with 100 lbs.

I recommend focusing on a high thrust version of what ever outboard you choose. With the limited hull speed of the H260, it makes a better choice that additional horsepower on a gearbox and prop set up for speed.

Have you found the Great Loop Association yet? http://www.greatloop.org/

 

[yachtsman]

I have a Yamaha 8hp on my 260. Down here in the Southern Ocean I find it is more than enough.
Of course the other very important aspects are the weight factor and the strength of the mounting bracket and stern that you are hanging a motor on with so much power.
My suggestion is have a look at the size of inboard motors on boats around 28-30' and you will probably find most of them are between 12-20hp. And of course these power up yachts much heavier than the 260.
My thoughts are that 8-10hp is more than enough, safe and considering the length of your proposed voyage more economical.

 

[owner23.5]

I have a 9.9 tohatsu 2 stroke on mine and works fine , never more then half throttle here but am changing to 9.9 fourstroke this spring one reason my brother owns a dealership here and the new motor will require no premixing, small world here Tom I'm in ny near the candian border and I drove to carlyle lake to buy my boat 3years ago. you have an awsome marina there.

 

[tgrass462]

Thanks

I'm assuming you're referring to West Access Marina - near the dam? It and the other two marinas on the lake (Tradewinds and Boulder) are all first rate. If we get to NY perhaps we can gauge the Marinas up north.

Question regarding going from a 9.9 Tohatsu 2 cycle to a 4 cycle. Assuming you have remote control of the throttle and gear shift ... will you be able to use the same connections with your new motor?

Tom Grass
GH III
Carlyle Lake

I have a 9.9 tohatsu 2 stroke on mine and works fine , never more then half throttle here but am changing to 9.9 fourstroke this spring one reason my brother owns a dealership here and the new motor will require no premixing, small world here Tom I'm in ny near the candian border and I drove to carlyle lake to buy my boat 3years ago. you have an awsome marina there.

 

[owner23.5]

no change to the set up with new motor , all functions, shift , throttle ect are all on motor as is the case with the older one I'm selling. There is nothing wrong with the 2stroke but am told the new-er one is alot less noise in the cockpit, and yes it was the west access marina, left here at 4 am and got there at 9pm stayed in the hotel onsite and bought the boat the next morning. very nice couple who even after the bank was late on transfer allowed my wife and I to hook it up and drive off with it , lol now hows THAT for good ole fashion handshake trust? I did receive a call a few hrs later that the moneies went through but remember it was just a nasty rainy day and forecast wasnt changing all the way home so previous owners just allowed us to get underway and headed home.

 

[Roy G]

I may be wrong here (not unusual at all according to my wife) but if a displacement hull boat runs into a current speed greater than it's hull speed there is no amount of HP that will make it go against the current and in fact you will drift backwards.

Again only a theory pieced together from other information gleaned on the web.

RoyG

 

[cephius (Dave)]

Roy, I've been in that situation entering San Diego bay against the tidal flow. I ended up dropping anchor until the ebb so I wouldn't consume all my gas.