optimum motor size

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Tommy B.

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Mar 28, 2006
14
- - Elephant Butte, NM
My 1985 Hunter 23 came to me used equipped with a Honda 5 horse 4 stroke of about the same vintage. Parts are becoming hard to come by and I thought of increasing the size to something that will get me across the water a little quicker when I am heading into 30 knot winds. What do you think is the optimum size motor considering weight on motor mount and what brand is the favored one. Tommy B
 
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Warren Milberg

You probably have

...about the right size motor for your boat now. A general rule of thumb is that you need about 2 hp for each 1,000 lbs of disp and I'm guessing your boat weighs in at a bit less than 2,500 lbs. I don't think it's reasonable to expect an OB to push your boat at hull speed in a 30 kt headwind. What is reasonable is for the engine to be reliable and able to get you home in that kind of wind, even if it's a slow march. If your current motor cannot do that, it would be best to move up somewhat, but the tradeoff will be some more weight on the stern which could impact sailing trim/performance in boat like the one you have.
 
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Rob Morton

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May 7, 2004
51
- - Fern Ridge Eugene OR
Motor size

We currently have a 5 hp as well on the same boat. It works fine with a wind but no currents. We take her to the San Juans every year and we are going to go up to an eight horse. With a current we at time have been down to 1.8 knots over the ground. If there would have been headwind we would have been moving backwards! We went with a friend who had a similar size boat and he had a 10 hp and it worked really well even in the currents. If you don't have currents it may be fine to stay with what you have. You can't push much more than hull speed even with a bigger motor. Let us know what you decide. Rob Morton S/V Euphoria h23
 
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SweetTrade

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Sep 8, 2006
116
Hunter 23 Camp Lejeune, NC
6Hp for me

I just got my second (kinda 3rd) 6hp for my H23, It seems to be perfect, not to heavy. It moved me everywhere i want to go and just above what my hull speed is meant to be at 1/2 throttle so i am happy. I say 3rd because i bought a 6hp mercury a few months ago and then replace my bracket, well my new bracket sat differently so i had to get a 25" shaft instead and rather than replace it I bought a new one with charger from onlineoutboards.com My last one was from west marine, same motor better price online but look around for the best deal! good luck
 
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