My outboard has bit the dust and I need some advice on what size and model work best on the Hunter 23. I have a 87 and had a 3.5 Suzuki 2 stroke. It seemed to me to be a little small for the boat. I think it worked too hard to motor the boat which lead to its early death. I know the outboard mount is not sturdy enough to hold allot of weight so what size is best? Also anyone had experience with reliability and quality of the outboards that are available today?
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Barry
motor
I had a Columbia 23 with a 4 stroke Honda. It worked well. I would suggest an 8 hp 4 stroke. Check the weights on each one you look at, there really isnt much of a diffence in weight when you get into the 8 and 9 hp range.good luck. Barry
I had a Columbia 23 with a 4 stroke Honda. It worked well. I would suggest an 8 hp 4 stroke. Check the weights on each one you look at, there really isnt much of a diffence in weight when you get into the 8 and 9 hp range.good luck. Barry
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Crazy Dave Condon
know the boat well
If sailing inland, then a 5hp is fine but if going to the ocean with the boat, an 8 hp is good. The suggestion of weight is one to consider and you may want to consider a two stroke Nissan or Tohatsu. They are both the same motor along with many other brands all built by Tohatsu. Good luck and Happy Sailing. Crazy Dave Condon
If sailing inland, then a 5hp is fine but if going to the ocean with the boat, an 8 hp is good. The suggestion of weight is one to consider and you may want to consider a two stroke Nissan or Tohatsu. They are both the same motor along with many other brands all built by Tohatsu. Good luck and Happy Sailing. Crazy Dave Condon
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Bob Zanowicz
Outboard
While my 9.9 Johnson was in the shop I was wondering about a new one myself(at least eventually). After surfing around on the net, if you want a motor with an alternator, I think the long shaft Nissan/Tohatsu 8 HP 2 stroke is your best bet. Most motor for the money and only weighs 62 lbs. This model has electric start also. Not needed but nice to have! There are some dealers who sell this motor over the web at very good prices, 1400 or so at onlineoutboards.com If you go the 4 stroke route, they do make 5 & 6 HP models too. Good luck in your quest B
While my 9.9 Johnson was in the shop I was wondering about a new one myself(at least eventually). After surfing around on the net, if you want a motor with an alternator, I think the long shaft Nissan/Tohatsu 8 HP 2 stroke is your best bet. Most motor for the money and only weighs 62 lbs. This model has electric start also. Not needed but nice to have! There are some dealers who sell this motor over the web at very good prices, 1400 or so at onlineoutboards.com If you go the 4 stroke route, they do make 5 & 6 HP models too. Good luck in your quest B
Mine is a two-stroke 8 hp Nissan
My boat is in the Indian River lagoon and I'm glad for the extra grunt when the squalls blow in off the Atlantic and I nee dto get home. The rest of the time I can cruise at 5 kt at less than half throttle. If your weather is a more settled, 5 hp should be enough. Peter H23 "Raven"
My boat is in the Indian River lagoon and I'm glad for the extra grunt when the squalls blow in off the Atlantic and I nee dto get home. The rest of the time I can cruise at 5 kt at less than half throttle. If your weather is a more settled, 5 hp should be enough. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Lee
15hp outboard
I have a 1988 hunter 23. I changed the outboard bracket with a heavy duty adjustable model. Replaced my 5hp Nisson with a 1990 15hp Evenrude long shaft with electric start. It is the same weight as a 9.9hp. This might be overkill but I would rather have more than less. Great motor!
I have a 1988 hunter 23. I changed the outboard bracket with a heavy duty adjustable model. Replaced my 5hp Nisson with a 1990 15hp Evenrude long shaft with electric start. It is the same weight as a 9.9hp. This might be overkill but I would rather have more than less. Great motor!
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Steve Burke
outboard
I'm using a honda 8 on my H23...very dependable and has the power for puget sound tides and currents...4 strokes are quiet and smoke free...i do however feel that im at the upper range as far as weight is concerned for the existing outboard mount...upgrading to a heavy-duty outboard mount is on "the list"...
I'm using a honda 8 on my H23...very dependable and has the power for puget sound tides and currents...4 strokes are quiet and smoke free...i do however feel that im at the upper range as far as weight is concerned for the existing outboard mount...upgrading to a heavy-duty outboard mount is on "the list"...
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Crazy Dave Condon
Outboards
Regarding Lee's post, I would like to mention several things. First, a sailboat is a displacement hull and for lack of terms, the boat will only go so fast. The original bracket never advised the maxium hp for the boat but for all purposes, most outboard motor brackets will only take up to 10 hp. The transoms of sailboats are not the thickness of powerboats as that is a planning hull. Therefore, 8 hp based on experience as I sold more than any other dealer is a good well rounded motor for this boat being in the lakes and/or oceans. Lee, I would not suggest running at full throttle because you could damage your transom over a period of time which inlcudes your outboard motor bracket. Also, a 9.9 is a good engine size but the thing will not get the boat going any faster than an 8 or a 9.8 Nissan/Tohatsu plus it is too heavy for the back of the boat. . 2 or 4 stroke is choice preference. I realize that I not only stuck my neck out but have tried all types of motors on the wing keel 23 and as I said, I sold the most of these than any other dealer and experienced alot with it. I may have made some folks mad but I also am cautious and alot that I say on this forum is based on experience. Crazy Dave Condon
Regarding Lee's post, I would like to mention several things. First, a sailboat is a displacement hull and for lack of terms, the boat will only go so fast. The original bracket never advised the maxium hp for the boat but for all purposes, most outboard motor brackets will only take up to 10 hp. The transoms of sailboats are not the thickness of powerboats as that is a planning hull. Therefore, 8 hp based on experience as I sold more than any other dealer is a good well rounded motor for this boat being in the lakes and/or oceans. Lee, I would not suggest running at full throttle because you could damage your transom over a period of time which inlcudes your outboard motor bracket. Also, a 9.9 is a good engine size but the thing will not get the boat going any faster than an 8 or a 9.8 Nissan/Tohatsu plus it is too heavy for the back of the boat. . 2 or 4 stroke is choice preference. I realize that I not only stuck my neck out but have tried all types of motors on the wing keel 23 and as I said, I sold the most of these than any other dealer and experienced alot with it. I may have made some folks mad but I also am cautious and alot that I say on this forum is based on experience. Crazy Dave Condon
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Lee
Reply to Dave
I never run the 15hp wide open. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of power when I needed it. My Nisson would not hold the boat in bad conditions which happens on Lake Michigan. I have a 1/4 x 10 x 10 alumimun plate on the inside of the transon as a backer plate for the adjustable motor bracket. I can feel when the boat is going fast enough. Thanks for your input. (I couldn't find a good used 9.9 in my price range of up to $1200 so I bought the 15hp)
I never run the 15hp wide open. I wanted to make sure I had plenty of power when I needed it. My Nisson would not hold the boat in bad conditions which happens on Lake Michigan. I have a 1/4 x 10 x 10 alumimun plate on the inside of the transon as a backer plate for the adjustable motor bracket. I can feel when the boat is going fast enough. Thanks for your input. (I couldn't find a good used 9.9 in my price range of up to $1200 so I bought the 15hp)
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Crazy Dave Condon
Thank you Lee
Most folks do not put a large plate asl you have on the inside transom. At least you are aware. What did prompt this was the fact I did have to repair a transom on a 23 wing keel once as the owner did run it full bore with a 15. Crazy Dave Condon
Most folks do not put a large plate asl you have on the inside transom. At least you are aware. What did prompt this was the fact I did have to repair a transom on a 23 wing keel once as the owner did run it full bore with a 15. Crazy Dave Condon
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mike
Honda Four Stroke 5hp
I love mine. Bought it cause it's quiet as a mouse but also sufficient power on my inland lake. The bracket flexes even with this motor so I wouldn't want one heavier. I towed a broken down 19' powerboat with it's 5 passengers and 90 hp motor yesterday. As it was downwind I popped up my headsail and told the guy he was sailing.............*S*.
I love mine. Bought it cause it's quiet as a mouse but also sufficient power on my inland lake. The bracket flexes even with this motor so I wouldn't want one heavier. I towed a broken down 19' powerboat with it's 5 passengers and 90 hp motor yesterday. As it was downwind I popped up my headsail and told the guy he was sailing.............*S*.
Don't flog yourself so hard, Crazy Dave
Whatever motor you sold the most was based on your best experience in your area. Outboards are like bottom paint, what works best in one area may not work so well somewhere else. There are places where a 4 hp kicker will be plenty for an H23...and that's not your fault, so don't be so PC. Peter H23 "Raven"
Whatever motor you sold the most was based on your best experience in your area. Outboards are like bottom paint, what works best in one area may not work so well somewhere else. There are places where a 4 hp kicker will be plenty for an H23...and that's not your fault, so don't be so PC. Peter H23 "Raven"
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Randy Simmons
9.9
Finally finished my H 23 and got it in the water last week (docked at Lake Erie). I have an older 9.9 Johnson Sailmaster on it and need to go a long way from the dock to the channel leading into the Lake. It performed well, didn't seem to stress the mount too much (flex), but was extremely loud (could not hear my VHF over the engine noise). The smoke and smell in the no wake zone when I was out of the wind was not that pleasant either! A four stroke would have been great, but weight is a consideration and dropping to an 8hp should not make that much difference. Good luck with your hunt...
Finally finished my H 23 and got it in the water last week (docked at Lake Erie). I have an older 9.9 Johnson Sailmaster on it and need to go a long way from the dock to the channel leading into the Lake. It performed well, didn't seem to stress the mount too much (flex), but was extremely loud (could not hear my VHF over the engine noise). The smoke and smell in the no wake zone when I was out of the wind was not that pleasant either! A four stroke would have been great, but weight is a consideration and dropping to an 8hp should not make that much difference. Good luck with your hunt...
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Crazy Dave Condon
Peter
My experience is vast and with the knowledge, I can contribute alot. I have experienced lake and ocean sailing alike in many different places over the years. However, most transoms are designed for a max hp of 10 hp. Also, I know the outboard motor bracket that Hunter built too well. Dave Condon
My experience is vast and with the knowledge, I can contribute alot. I have experienced lake and ocean sailing alike in many different places over the years. However, most transoms are designed for a max hp of 10 hp. Also, I know the outboard motor bracket that Hunter built too well. Dave Condon
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