New owner (1981} C22 Misc questions

[Salty Jack]

1. Is using Dawn dish washing liquid recommended for boat washing? Is it really worth buying what's labeled as a boat wash soap?
2. My rudder doesn't have a lock. The upper pintle? Has a drilled hole for I imagine a split ring. Is there a fitting that's better?.
3. Most important.I'm buying a new 4 stroke motor and not sure a long shaft is necessary. When the mount is fully lowered, from the 2 round impressions on the block where the old motor attached to the bottom of the boat is about 14 inches. So far I keep reading get the l

 

[JRT]

Static at dock isn't a great judge of shaft length. You hit some rollers and you are out of the water. Long shaft is best, I bought from Outboard Motors | Tohatsu, Suzuki, Mercury, & Honda Outboards 2 tohatsu with great results.

I use Starbrite Deck cleaner, works great and by gallon isn't too expensive.

 

[AaronD]

If you're buying new, you won't regret a long or extra-long shaft outboard. The Tohatsu 6 HP SailPro (25") is the standard everything else competes with on a C-22. Reasonably light, at <= 60 lbs. In calm winds, it pushes the boat to hull speed at about half throttle (and easily to hull speed even against a headwind). We average less than 1/2 gallon per hour (probably about 1/4, but I haven't ever measured precisely enough to be confident in that number).

You'll find other good options (most of them also manufactured by Tohatsu), but that's the one that you'll find recommended the most. And we've definitely been happy with ours.

 

[Davidasailor26]

1. Is using Dawn dish washing liquid recommended for boat washing? Is it really worth buying what's labeled as a boat wash soap?

I use Dawn in the early spring for washing the hull before polishing and waxing it. After it’s waxed it’s best not to use detergent based soap like Dawn, as it will remove the wax. A wax safe car or boat soap is better then.

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks guys! Good stuff.

 

[Gene Neill]

A long shaft motor is an absolute must.

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks Gene and everyone else who answered my questions about washing and pushing my new old toy. I am convinced of the long shaft and possibly the XL Jack

 

[brockangelo]

2. My rudder doesn't have a lock. The upper pintle? Has a drilled hole for I imagine a split ring. Is there a fitting that's better?.

I'm not sure if it is the same thing that you're talking about, but I drilled a hole in the rudder on the recommendation from another sailor to keep the rudder down when under sail. The idea is that you put a small wooden dowel rod in the hole to keep it from tipping up while under sail, and you choose something that will break away if you hit something, as opposed to steel which would break the rudder. The metal clamping wheel doesn't have enough grip strength on it's own. I don't remember taking pictures of that project, but I will try to get a photo next time I'm out.

 

[Jacktar]

Use a nylon 1/4 bolt with wingnut to keep from backing out, cheap at about buck or so and breaks with less damage than wood and is more elastic in less catastrophic touches with bottom or objects.

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks guys. Great suggestions. Will do.

 

[Hollyberry]

I suspect Q2 was referring to preventing the rudder from lifting off the pintles.. as opposed to the rudder flipping up under way. A circlip would work but they are awkward to install/remove esp if you're taking the rudder off frequently. A small pushpin on a string attached to the transom would be more expedient.

 

[rpludwig]

Dawn is good, 30 Second for decks is better, oxalic acid for the stubborn stuff on the topsides (don't get it on your galv trailer!)
Sailpro 6 long shaft
Yes, do something for that rudder, I once found mine on the bottom after a blow, fortunately in slip, that spring steel thing is not trustworthy on the factory rudder!

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks for your advice and to all who responded to my post! Jack

 

[...3TacksontheWater]

Thanks Gene and everyone else who answered my questions about washing and pushing my new old toy. I am convinced of the long shaft and possibly the XL Jack

First congratulations on your new boat. You'll love her! The difference between a long shaft motor and an XL long shaft motor is five (5) inches. The Tohatsu 6 HP SailPro that everyone raves about has an XL 25" shaft. On my first C22, I started with a Sears standard shaft outboard and when I switched to a Mercury Sail Power with the 25" shaft, the difference was like night and day. Some folks here are happy with a 20" long shaft but on Waffle House, there's a new Tohatsu SailPro with a 25" shaft waiting to be mounted. I wouldn't even consider a 20" long shaft when 25" is an option.

George

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks George. I totally agree. XL it is.

 

[ShawnL]

I'm an outlier. I have a 2-stroke mercury 9.9 and love it. It's heavy, but after servicing starts on the first or second pull. People say it's too heavy (and it is heavy) but I like knowing if I decided to go out when the wind was too stiff (it happens) I will make it all the way back to my mooring against the wind and the waves. It's just a long-shaft but, I will concede that if I had to buy a new motor, I'd go with the 6hp Tohatsu XL.

The prop on the motor also makes a huge difference. Our boats are displacement hulls and will never go up on plane like the john / bass boats and things people normally mount small motors to.

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks. I have one more issue to resolve and the 1981 C22 will be on my lot. I have a 2023 Tohatsu Sail Pro XL shaft lined up. Glad you recommend it!

 

[morbidfollower]

I have a 2022 Tohatsu 6hp 25" as others have mentioned. Only have used it for about a year but it is a great investment. I am in the south San Francisco Bay and have not had any issues with the chop and currents to feel that I am underpowered. I am sure on a lake it would just purr. There are other great motors out there too, but im not sure if any are better at fuel efficiency as this little guy for its performance.

 

[Salty Jack]

Thanks so much! Mine is on order and should be here soon. Can't wait,!!