Outboard Motors

[Scooterbar]

Im looking to replace my Johnson Sail Master 8hp two stroke with a Tohatsu 6 hp or the 9.8 hp and my question is the concern of extra weight to the transom with the larger 9.8 motor. It is the lightest in it's class weighing in at 93 lbs., but not sure if I really need it? Anyone out there running a 6 hp? The price is right, but that does not mean it will work against tide and wind. My 8 hp sail master has enough power, unfortunately Tohatsu does not make a 8 hp extra long shaft. Any help would be great, I am looking to replace it in the next month.

 

[pupluv]

In my opinion the size of an outboard on a boat like a Hunter 23 depends upon the characteristics of the places that you sail. If you sail on placid lakes, 6 hp is enough. If you sail where there is a current or tides, I would get a bigger engine. Honda makes an 8hp extra long shaft.

If you get a heavier 4 stroke, you might consider reinforcing the transom. Also, you'll probably have to put some weight in the bow to compensate for the extra weight at the stern.

If I were you, I would re-build the Sailmaster, unless you have to have a 4 stroke because of restrictions where you sail.

 

[inarathree]

I have the 6hp Tohatsu Sail Drive, it has plenty of power for my H22. This last Wednesday, it pushed us at 4.5-5knts into a 20knts wind with 3' seas.

 

[isaksp00]

How old is the Johnson? I think I recall posts on the iboats outboard forum that new engines must have HP measured at the prop, where older ones were at the engine crankshaft. Posts implied that the loss of power inherent in the shaft, lower unit gears, etc. were material. So, a new 6HP may be more like what you get with your current Johnson.

I have an H23 with a 15 yr old Honda 8HP, and it has been fine - only on a lake, but I haven't ever felt it lacked "push". You may want to ask a dealer how a new model 6HP compares to the older 8HP, given that new way of measuring.

My 4-stroke engine is about 80 lbs; don't know what the Johnson weighs. So the Tohatsu is about 13 lbs more. I don't feel like I have any weight balance problems. I would not think an extra 13 lbs back there would be too noticeable (unless maybe you're a serious racer); after all, even though the motor is further back, let's say you had a crew member who weighed 30 or 40 lbs more than your normal crew, in the cockpit - would that cause a real problem? That said, if the 6HP is about the same effective power as the older 8, and your 8 has been fine, why get the bigger motor for no reason?

 

[Ed A]

you will be happy with the small one. by the way they build the small mercury engines too.

 

[Bill Jones]

A friend of mine put a Honda 9.9 on his H23 and now his boat lists due to the weight of the motor.

 

[owner23.5]

I have 9.9 tohatsu on my 23.5 it doesnt list and its possible I guess for some to say thats to much horsepower or overkill but I like to think that if I'm getting all the speed I can at half throttle then thats plausable to think its also half the noise then a smaller engine winding out at full throttle

 

[ebsail]

I used a 3.5 Tohatsu to push a 23' Sonar (2100 lbs) against a 20K breeze and chop in the Hudson River and it was enough. Never had to run it at full throtle. I even towed in another 23 footer with this little engine. 6 HP should be enough with a long or extra long shaft. The basic rule is 3 HP per ton unless you're contemplating be out in 40K plus. I suspect you'd make headway even in 40K at full throtle

 

[jetboatn]

I have a 2010 Yamaha 9.9 with 25" shaft, electric start, electric trim and high output alternator with approx. 15 hrs on it. It came on a Hunter 23.5 water ballast sailboat I just purchased and is more motor than I need. If interested I will make you a great deal! If this is not an appropriate reply, please let me know and I will remove if possible.

 

[Dan Hill]

We have a 9.9 4-stroke Yamaha on our h240. I was concerned about the xtra weight also at first and even had the mounting brackets re-inforced. We have been caught in some nasty wind storms with 4-5 foot waves on Sabago lake in Maine and also on Cayuga lake in NY and I'm very very glad i had that motor those days. I'd rather tote too much motor around then not have it when needed, in my humble opinion. And BTW, I trailer-ed her the 1000+ miles (round trip) with the motor on the mounts with zero problems. Get the 9.8 I say, and good luck.