I am ready to purchase a new outboard for my Hunter 23. I'm leaning toward a 2-stroke, 20" shaft, 9.8hp Tohatsu. My last engine was a Tohatsu and was very reliable (until I started messing around with it!!). My price range is approx. $1500.00+/-, and I live in Florida. Any comments / suggestions? Thanks for the help.
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Rick Webb
Been Wanting a New One as Well
But no matter what I do to it my 6HP Mercury just keeps on running. A 9.9 may be more than you need. There is a formula to figure out what size motor to put on a boat and for my 23.5 it is a 6 a 26 it is an 8. You may want to consider a smaller motor and I would definitly consider a four stroke. I have heard very good things about onlineoutboards.com a good place to compare if nothing else. If I can find the formula again I'll post it here, it is in the site archives somwhere.
But no matter what I do to it my 6HP Mercury just keeps on running. A 9.9 may be more than you need. There is a formula to figure out what size motor to put on a boat and for my 23.5 it is a 6 a 26 it is an 8. You may want to consider a smaller motor and I would definitly consider a four stroke. I have heard very good things about onlineoutboards.com a good place to compare if nothing else. If I can find the formula again I'll post it here, it is in the site archives somwhere.
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RonD
Rough rule-of-thumb
... is about 4 HP per ton of boat displacement in order to move it at or near hull speed. If you check the production auxiliary sailboat data sheets you'll see the engines are sized roughly to that ratio plus a bit for efficiencies, etc. (i.e., my C320 displaces 11,900 lb and has a 27 HP engine) 2- vs 4-cycle. The old 2-cycles are lighter & used engines are more available on the resale market. However, they pollute (air & sea) more & are noisier. I recall seeing something where 4-cycles will be mandated in a few years due to pollution regs, which is why all the manufacturers are selling them as new models now. I don't know if the old 2-cycles will be grandfathered or banned. --Ron
... is about 4 HP per ton of boat displacement in order to move it at or near hull speed. If you check the production auxiliary sailboat data sheets you'll see the engines are sized roughly to that ratio plus a bit for efficiencies, etc. (i.e., my C320 displaces 11,900 lb and has a 27 HP engine) 2- vs 4-cycle. The old 2-cycles are lighter & used engines are more available on the resale market. However, they pollute (air & sea) more & are noisier. I recall seeing something where 4-cycles will be mandated in a few years due to pollution regs, which is why all the manufacturers are selling them as new models now. I don't know if the old 2-cycles will be grandfathered or banned. --Ron
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Rick Webb
Found It
Here it all is does not look like you need all of that extra weight on your boat at all. HP = (Displacement/1000) x 2 4.9 = (2450/1000) X 2
Here it all is does not look like you need all of that extra weight on your boat at all. HP = (Displacement/1000) x 2 4.9 = (2450/1000) X 2
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Mara
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Mike
2 v. 4: Other considerations
I too am considering a new outboard, and have discovered that you really need an outboard mounting bracket specifically designed for a four stroke. Not only will a four stroke be appreciably heavier than a comparably powered two stroke, the four will also generate significantly more torque. All this means it needs a more robust mounting bracket than a two stroke. I will be checking with the manufacturer of my bracket to see if it is rated to hold a four stroke.
I too am considering a new outboard, and have discovered that you really need an outboard mounting bracket specifically designed for a four stroke. Not only will a four stroke be appreciably heavier than a comparably powered two stroke, the four will also generate significantly more torque. All this means it needs a more robust mounting bracket than a two stroke. I will be checking with the manufacturer of my bracket to see if it is rated to hold a four stroke.
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hp
4 stroke
I had a 7.5 hp Honda four stroke for several years. It was a 1972 model. It was on a Macgregor 26. I loved that engine!!!! The boat came with a newer 1-2 years old, 4 hp 2 stroke. It pushed the boat OK but was always fouling plugs and hard to start. The best things about the honda were that it started well in cold weather, used little fuel and was quiet. I also liked the fact that there wasn't an oil film on the water while it was running. It was heavier but I could handle it alone. It would move the Mac about 2-3 knots at an idle but only about 6 at full throttle. Usually I left it at half throttle for about 5.5 knots. The newer 4 strokes are probably much better. If/when I buy an outboard it will be a four stroke it's worth the extra money just to avoid mixing gas and oil.
I had a 7.5 hp Honda four stroke for several years. It was a 1972 model. It was on a Macgregor 26. I loved that engine!!!! The boat came with a newer 1-2 years old, 4 hp 2 stroke. It pushed the boat OK but was always fouling plugs and hard to start. The best things about the honda were that it started well in cold weather, used little fuel and was quiet. I also liked the fact that there wasn't an oil film on the water while it was running. It was heavier but I could handle it alone. It would move the Mac about 2-3 knots at an idle but only about 6 at full throttle. Usually I left it at half throttle for about 5.5 knots. The newer 4 strokes are probably much better. If/when I buy an outboard it will be a four stroke it's worth the extra money just to avoid mixing gas and oil.
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Edward Steenstra III
Yamaha
Get the best on the water,have had several, 4HP to 9.9 HP,these motors are simply amazing ! (Not a dealer) Capt ED.
Get the best on the water,have had several, 4HP to 9.9 HP,these motors are simply amazing ! (Not a dealer) Capt ED.
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Alan Douglass
HONDA 4 stroke
I put a Honda 4 stroke 8hp on my Catalina 25. The 8 hp is the same motor as their 9.9 just not bored out as much. It is quiet, starts super easy, no mixing of oil, a real dream. I will need to upgrade my motor bracket soon too. It is also the lightest of all motors in that stroke and hp range. I think it's just over 100 pounds, and if I recall, some are 140 lbs for the same range of motor. That is a big percentage difference, and can make a difference in your boat handling, and level.
I put a Honda 4 stroke 8hp on my Catalina 25. The 8 hp is the same motor as their 9.9 just not bored out as much. It is quiet, starts super easy, no mixing of oil, a real dream. I will need to upgrade my motor bracket soon too. It is also the lightest of all motors in that stroke and hp range. I think it's just over 100 pounds, and if I recall, some are 140 lbs for the same range of motor. That is a big percentage difference, and can make a difference in your boat handling, and level.
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Keith Wolfe
Another vote for 4 cycle
I purchased a Honda 8 hp, 4 cycle Bigfoot model BF8D with the extra long shaft after some low-life(s) (certainly not sailors) stole my 15 hp 2-cycle outboard right off the back of my boat. I later found out several motors were taken that night in drydock. Anyway, I liked the 15 Mercury well enough to keep it and use it even if it was a little cold-natured when it first started. I didn't like the 2-cycle fumes and how after running for about 15 minutes at part throttle it occasionally misfired a little bit. This misfiring didn't bother me as much as my non-sailing passengers. It seems that non-sailers get very nervous when the motor on any boat hiccups a little bit. Also, my solar panel was able to keep the battery topped off, but not able to recharge it. That meant that I had to bring the battery home at least once a month to charge it, even if I didn't use the lights. Somehow dragging 50 lbs. of lead and acid over the side, to the ground and putting it in my truck detracted from the fun quotant of sailing. To me it seemed like an accident waiting for an opportunity to happen. With my insurance check in hand I set out to find a new and better motor. I made a list of the features I wanted and the features I needed and discovered for only a few dollars more I was able to get the electric start Honda instead of the electric start Mercury. Now I don't have to smell the 2-cycle fumes, the motor purrs at any throttle setting, fuel consumption should be better, the computer handles the choke, it isn't cold-natured and my battery will always be charged. What did I give up for the conveinence of this quiet, not as stinky, boat moving, battery charger? It cost me about $250 more than the 15 HP 2-cycle electric start Mercury and I lost about 1/2 knot off my top speed. Also, it was in stock and because I bought it from the local sailboat shop I was able to support one of my best resources of knowledge and experience. Besides, why not give the money to a local guy who's trying to support his family and run his own business? West Marine won't miss the money but I'm sure the local store appreciated the business. I have a 1979 O'Day 23 (about 3000# empty) with the original motor mount. I have to agree that while the motor is only about 20-25 lbs heavier than the old motor the Honda with it's 4-blade prop and better torque curve seems to be able to put much more strain on the motor mount when docking or launching. I'll be looking for a new 4-cycle motor mount too. 8 HP seems plenty for my O'Day 23 even if the boat is rated up to 15 HP.
I purchased a Honda 8 hp, 4 cycle Bigfoot model BF8D with the extra long shaft after some low-life(s) (certainly not sailors) stole my 15 hp 2-cycle outboard right off the back of my boat. I later found out several motors were taken that night in drydock. Anyway, I liked the 15 Mercury well enough to keep it and use it even if it was a little cold-natured when it first started. I didn't like the 2-cycle fumes and how after running for about 15 minutes at part throttle it occasionally misfired a little bit. This misfiring didn't bother me as much as my non-sailing passengers. It seems that non-sailers get very nervous when the motor on any boat hiccups a little bit. Also, my solar panel was able to keep the battery topped off, but not able to recharge it. That meant that I had to bring the battery home at least once a month to charge it, even if I didn't use the lights. Somehow dragging 50 lbs. of lead and acid over the side, to the ground and putting it in my truck detracted from the fun quotant of sailing. To me it seemed like an accident waiting for an opportunity to happen. With my insurance check in hand I set out to find a new and better motor. I made a list of the features I wanted and the features I needed and discovered for only a few dollars more I was able to get the electric start Honda instead of the electric start Mercury. Now I don't have to smell the 2-cycle fumes, the motor purrs at any throttle setting, fuel consumption should be better, the computer handles the choke, it isn't cold-natured and my battery will always be charged. What did I give up for the conveinence of this quiet, not as stinky, boat moving, battery charger? It cost me about $250 more than the 15 HP 2-cycle electric start Mercury and I lost about 1/2 knot off my top speed. Also, it was in stock and because I bought it from the local sailboat shop I was able to support one of my best resources of knowledge and experience. Besides, why not give the money to a local guy who's trying to support his family and run his own business? West Marine won't miss the money but I'm sure the local store appreciated the business. I have a 1979 O'Day 23 (about 3000# empty) with the original motor mount. I have to agree that while the motor is only about 20-25 lbs heavier than the old motor the Honda with it's 4-blade prop and better torque curve seems to be able to put much more strain on the motor mount when docking or launching. I'll be looking for a new 4-cycle motor mount too. 8 HP seems plenty for my O'Day 23 even if the boat is rated up to 15 HP.
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