Outboard motor for O'Day 25

[Helm Hog]

My boat is 1975 O'Day 25. I just got it in the water recently after working on it for a few years. It was a project boat. I found out that the outboard motor that was on the boat was not long enough for the boat. By researching on this website, we found that the recommendation was for a 25 inch shaft length. Some other recommendations that I found were for a high thrust motor and dual thrust prop with prop pitch of 7 or 9 1/4. This all sounds very complicated and I have started looking into motors that are on the market. Our present motor, although not long enough is a 9.9 HP Evinrude.
I generally sail on an inland lake, but am considering going down the ICW next year with this boat.
Need some advice on motor decisions.
1. Would the high thrust motor at 9.9 be sufficient or should I consider a 15 HP? I don't have tides and currents to deal with on the inland lake, but would have to deal with these on the ICW.
2. I have been told by several dealers that the 2 stroke is no longer available and I would need to go to a 4 stroke. Would this extra weight be a problem?
3. My present motor bracket is OMC rated for max of 15 horse power. The bracket came on the boat and is an older bracket. How would I know if it would a 4 stroke motor?
4. We were fortunate to be able to borrow a motor with a longer shaft from a friend to at least try out the boat. This motor is propelling the boat but does not sit quite vertical to the water. I did adjust the pin on the motor to the lowest position. Any thoughts?

I would really appreciate your insight on these questions. I am going to the Annapolis boat show next week to do some motor shopping. Thanks.

 

[Brian S]

I think a 9.9hp would be fine. If you look for a "Sail Pro" type model, you should get everything you need: 25" long shaft, high thrust elephant ear prop, and probably a charging circuit. And then maybe you want to get lazy with an electric starter.

Tohatsu makes such a model. I'm sure that Yamaha and Honda do as well. Mercury and Nissan are all Tohatsu powerheads. The Merc has something to recommend, in that the gear shift and throttle are all linked together on the twist grip. Some other brands have the gear shift on the front of the motor. This is a really good option, much better than on the side, though Merc's "twist one way to go forward, twist more to go faster. Twist other way to go reverse, twist more to go faster" is very convenient. Just not sure if they make a 25" long shaft with high thrust prop as standard.

 

[Ward H]

HH,
The 9.9 will do fine on the 25. I have the Yamaha T9.9 25", the T indicating High Thrust. It moves mine fine at 1/2 throttle. The 15 would be overkill. Yes, the electric start is a big plus.

As Brian points out, try to get an OB which has the shift lever on the OB tiller or the throttle shift. With the high freeboard of the 25, you don't want to be leaning over and down to reach the shift lever, even if it is on the front of the OB cowling.
That would be my concern with the Tohatsu.

The weight of a 4 stroke wouldn't be a problem unless the transom is rotting. It has plywood sandwiched in between the fiberglass and if that is soft you could have problems. You might want to add a beefed up backing plate anyway.

For the bracket question it appears to me that the 4 stroke brackets have a larger/wider mounting footprint than older 2 stroke brackets. Google the bracket name and maybe you can find some more info on it or measure it and compare it to one of the 4 stroke brackets like the Garelick.


Have fun!

 

[Oliver]

I have the oday 25 1976, I bought the 9.9 Evinrude 2 cycle long shaft and just dropped it down on the kick plate which is a new add on, tightened it down then lowered it down all 4 clicks and done. I tied a safety line to it just incase it ever falls off. You can find a longer shaft parts on Craig's list, I saw them there 6 months ago. The motor it perfect for this boat, not to heavy with plenty of power. Good luck.

 

[Chief RA]

If the boat truly has a 15hp rating for the transom it would be reasonable to assume that a 10hp 4 stroke would be "close" to the same weight as a 2 stroke 15hp motor. Do heed the cautions that WardH suggests as well. 10hp is as large a motor as you will need. Chief

 

[Scott On Eagles Wings]

You may be able to find an extension kit for the motor you have.