I have a Daysailor and would like advice on what size outboard to buy. Also how long dos the shaft need to be? I would appreciate your advice. Bill
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Not big
A six horsepower engine will be plenty big for the Daysailor; you could probably even use a four horse engine with no problems. I use an eight horse on my Oday 23, and it pushes the boat at hull speed in calm water at about 3/4 throttle. Most longshaft models are a standard 20" (regular shaft models are 15"), although I seem to remember that at least one manufacturer offered a 25" model. Go with the longest shaft you can find; you will appreciate it in a chop or powering through wakes. If you decide on a four stroke engine, make sure your mounting bracket is specifically rated to handle one; it ain't just the additional weight you need to worry about. Four strokes generate significantly more torque than two stroke engines and need a beefier mount. If you go with a four stroke engine, I would say that four horses would be plenty.
A six horsepower engine will be plenty big for the Daysailor; you could probably even use a four horse engine with no problems. I use an eight horse on my Oday 23, and it pushes the boat at hull speed in calm water at about 3/4 throttle. Most longshaft models are a standard 20" (regular shaft models are 15"), although I seem to remember that at least one manufacturer offered a 25" model. Go with the longest shaft you can find; you will appreciate it in a chop or powering through wakes. If you decide on a four stroke engine, make sure your mounting bracket is specifically rated to handle one; it ain't just the additional weight you need to worry about. Four strokes generate significantly more torque than two stroke engines and need a beefier mount. If you go with a four stroke engine, I would say that four horses would be plenty.
Have you seen the Brigs
No joke, and I'm not talking about a lawn mower. I was in Pep Boy's last weekend and they have a 5hp Brigs
No joke, and I'm not talking about a lawn mower. I was in Pep Boy's last weekend and they have a 5hp Brigs
Lake power
I just purchased a 3.3 Mercury two stroke for my daysailor. It has more than enough power to move the boat around even in a good wind on area lakes. The regular shaft places the prop a little below the bottom of the boat. This is good if you ever beach your boat. I can't speak for rough ocean conditions but for more confined spaces the little motor can do.
I just purchased a 3.3 Mercury two stroke for my daysailor. It has more than enough power to move the boat around even in a good wind on area lakes. The regular shaft places the prop a little below the bottom of the boat. This is good if you ever beach your boat. I can't speak for rough ocean conditions but for more confined spaces the little motor can do.
small boat small motor
Ihave a 15 year old "tananka" 2 stroke 3HP. its a good little motor about 35lbs and pushes my loaded daysailer pretty well even against a strong wind. Its discontinued and before I cleaned it up good last winter (I thought it was dead but its fine after replacing the stop cock and filter on the fuel line) I was going to even go down to a little 2HP Honda 4 stroke. I wouldn't go bigger than a 4 HP for a daysailer if I didnt have too. (less combursome and heavy)
Ihave a 15 year old "tananka" 2 stroke 3HP. its a good little motor about 35lbs and pushes my loaded daysailer pretty well even against a strong wind. Its discontinued and before I cleaned it up good last winter (I thought it was dead but its fine after replacing the stop cock and filter on the fuel line) I was going to even go down to a little 2HP Honda 4 stroke. I wouldn't go bigger than a 4 HP for a daysailer if I didnt have too. (less combursome and heavy)
electric
I went from a 5hp Suzuki weighing in at 50 pounds (and really dragging the stern down with the 3 gal tank) to a 55# thrust Minkota Endura Electric trolling motor. I ran the wire leads forward to a grup 24 deep cycle battery, recharged by a 5w solar panel. At top speed it will run for 90 minutes at 3 knots. At the 3rd speed setting it will run for about 7 hours at about 2 knots. It is not great for current or wind, but in those conditions, you would likely use the sails anyhow. It is great for getting in and out of my slip and holding the boat into the wind as I raise the main. It is silent, and makes no smell.
I went from a 5hp Suzuki weighing in at 50 pounds (and really dragging the stern down with the 3 gal tank) to a 55# thrust Minkota Endura Electric trolling motor. I ran the wire leads forward to a grup 24 deep cycle battery, recharged by a 5w solar panel. At top speed it will run for 90 minutes at 3 knots. At the 3rd speed setting it will run for about 7 hours at about 2 knots. It is not great for current or wind, but in those conditions, you would likely use the sails anyhow. It is great for getting in and out of my slip and holding the boat into the wind as I raise the main. It is silent, and makes no smell.
Honda 2 hp four stroke
I have a 2hp Honda with the centrifugal clutch and twist grip throttle that I'm very happy with. I use it for powering both my O'Day 192 and Potter 15. 2hp is a little small for the 1400 lb. 192 but it works fine for maneuvering around the dock and it will cruise 4.5 kts. at 3/4 throttle when the wind quits. Since your Daysailor is smaller and lighter than my 192 I think the power should be adequate. The Honda weighs 30lbs, runs 90 minutes on a quart of gas and is air-cooled, eliminating the need for a fresh water flush after use in salt water.
I have a 2hp Honda with the centrifugal clutch and twist grip throttle that I'm very happy with. I use it for powering both my O'Day 192 and Potter 15. 2hp is a little small for the 1400 lb. 192 but it works fine for maneuvering around the dock and it will cruise 4.5 kts. at 3/4 throttle when the wind quits. Since your Daysailor is smaller and lighter than my 192 I think the power should be adequate. The Honda weighs 30lbs, runs 90 minutes on a quart of gas and is air-cooled, eliminating the need for a fresh water flush after use in salt water.
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