I bought a '84 last season with the original 8HP Johnson Sailmaster that gave me fits, including a couple of trips to the shop. In anycase, I am now in the hunt for a new (used) motor. I have been focusing on a 9.9 four stroke, but I am concerned because the old motor is about 70lbs and the 9.9's run about 125lbs. Have others had experience in this they would consider sharing? Should I back off the 9.9 in favor of another 8hp? Any thoughts will be appreciated.
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Gary Chidester
motor upgrade
i used to have a 1995 hunter 26 with a 9.9 outboard. i also was considering an upgrade. after talking with Hunter Marine they said that not only was the increased weight a concern but the increased torque could be a concern as well. my advice to you is to talk to hunter and see what they say. After all, they built the boat....gary
i used to have a 1995 hunter 26 with a 9.9 outboard. i also was considering an upgrade. after talking with Hunter Marine they said that not only was the increased weight a concern but the increased torque could be a concern as well. my advice to you is to talk to hunter and see what they say. After all, they built the boat....gary
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Lee
Replacement motor
I replaced my original motor bracket with an adjustable model on my Hunter 23. I used a large 1/4 inch thick piece of aluminum on the inside for a backer plate. I have a 1990 15hp Evinrude long shaft which replaced the standard 8 hp Nisson. There was very little weight difference between the 9.9 and the 15. Best money I've spent. Plenty of power under almost any condition. My thought was better to have more than enough hp than not enough. Probably don't want to run it wide open.
I replaced my original motor bracket with an adjustable model on my Hunter 23. I used a large 1/4 inch thick piece of aluminum on the inside for a backer plate. I have a 1990 15hp Evinrude long shaft which replaced the standard 8 hp Nisson. There was very little weight difference between the 9.9 and the 15. Best money I've spent. Plenty of power under almost any condition. My thought was better to have more than enough hp than not enough. Probably don't want to run it wide open.
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Ray
To Ray from Ray, I have an older 9.9 Honda
on my 95 H26. The motor is a 1984 model and she runs flawlessly and will push the boat at hull speed without problem. I bought a Honda shop manual ($15)and completely service the motor every year. Valve adjust, water pump etc. I also changed props to one with a higher pitch so the motor would run at higher RPM to charge the battery. The motor will outlive me and the boat. No oil smoke, starts first pull everytime and 6 gal. of gas lasts a whole summer and charges the battery to boot. Ray S/V Speedy
on my 95 H26. The motor is a 1984 model and she runs flawlessly and will push the boat at hull speed without problem. I bought a Honda shop manual ($15)and completely service the motor every year. Valve adjust, water pump etc. I also changed props to one with a higher pitch so the motor would run at higher RPM to charge the battery. The motor will outlive me and the boat. No oil smoke, starts first pull everytime and 6 gal. of gas lasts a whole summer and charges the battery to boot. Ray S/V Speedy
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Raymond Ortega
Motor
I recently purchased a 1984 Hunter 25.5 that I sail on an inland lake. It came with a Honda 7.5 which I have found more than adequate. Perhaps more wind and tide would require more power, but I would consider the 8 h.p.
I recently purchased a 1984 Hunter 25.5 that I sail on an inland lake. It came with a Honda 7.5 which I have found more than adequate. Perhaps more wind and tide would require more power, but I would consider the 8 h.p.
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Dave Busby
Nissan 8hp
I just aquired a 1986 25.5, after it has sit for about a year (in the water), and had to move it from one marina to another. The trip was in a VERY dense fog for 12 miles, under motor, and the moter never missed a beat...What was it..a 1985 Nissan 8HP..Runs like a champ...and the knotmeter said we were doing 6 knots, and still not wide open..I didn's want to push my luck..but just a great little motor...
I just aquired a 1986 25.5, after it has sit for about a year (in the water), and had to move it from one marina to another. The trip was in a VERY dense fog for 12 miles, under motor, and the moter never missed a beat...What was it..a 1985 Nissan 8HP..Runs like a champ...and the knotmeter said we were doing 6 knots, and still not wide open..I didn's want to push my luck..but just a great little motor...
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John Allison
There is never enough
Ray, I own a H25 which uses a 9.8hp 1981 Mercury for its Iron Sail. For the most part, I have found that this pushes the boat to hull speed in relatively calm water. The bigger the waves and the stronger the wind, the less the max speed attainable. This is when horsepower is important: and herein lies the double edged sword ..... increased horsepower means increased weight (except in 2 stroke Mercurys where the long shaft 9.9 weighs 74 lbs and the 15 long shaft weighs 74 lbs and the 4 strokers weigh 112 lbs be it 9.9 or 15 hp long shaft). Other important factors are the prop, the angle of attack of the motor, the depth of the prop. But, Gary hit it on the head, if you are going to upsize, check with Hunter. I know all power boats using outboards have a max allowable engine size based on two very important aspects: handling and transom strength. I would bet that the Hunter 25.5 is no different.
Ray, I own a H25 which uses a 9.8hp 1981 Mercury for its Iron Sail. For the most part, I have found that this pushes the boat to hull speed in relatively calm water. The bigger the waves and the stronger the wind, the less the max speed attainable. This is when horsepower is important: and herein lies the double edged sword ..... increased horsepower means increased weight (except in 2 stroke Mercurys where the long shaft 9.9 weighs 74 lbs and the 15 long shaft weighs 74 lbs and the 4 strokers weigh 112 lbs be it 9.9 or 15 hp long shaft). Other important factors are the prop, the angle of attack of the motor, the depth of the prop. But, Gary hit it on the head, if you are going to upsize, check with Hunter. I know all power boats using outboards have a max allowable engine size based on two very important aspects: handling and transom strength. I would bet that the Hunter 25.5 is no different.
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Ray Drake
Thanks for the assistance
I just wanted to thank those that contributed for their comments to my request for advise on upgrading my 8HP 2 cycle Johnson to an 8 or 10HP 4 stroke. Gary, I did contact Hunter and they advised that if I stayed with an 8HP 4 stroke, I should be fine if I just change the motor mount and reinforce inside with some backing braces. I was surprised that they felt a 10HP 4 stroke would also require adding fiberglass to reinforce the transom. Based on other input I received from folks already running the 10HP motors, I suspect their comments were on the overly cautious side. In any case, I appreciate the comments you all offered. Now that I have learned how helpful you all are, I will seek your advise again from time-to-time. God knows I need the help!!
I just wanted to thank those that contributed for their comments to my request for advise on upgrading my 8HP 2 cycle Johnson to an 8 or 10HP 4 stroke. Gary, I did contact Hunter and they advised that if I stayed with an 8HP 4 stroke, I should be fine if I just change the motor mount and reinforce inside with some backing braces. I was surprised that they felt a 10HP 4 stroke would also require adding fiberglass to reinforce the transom. Based on other input I received from folks already running the 10HP motors, I suspect their comments were on the overly cautious side. In any case, I appreciate the comments you all offered. Now that I have learned how helpful you all are, I will seek your advise again from time-to-time. God knows I need the help!!
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