What is best hp & size (long or short shaft) for a 23' with a motor mount. Use primarily will be for getting in & of of marina. Thanks
Outboard motors
- Thread starter Reg18756
- Start date
- Status
9.9
I just purchased a 1980 23 this summer from a friend of mine. Brand new to sailing. Anyhow the boat came with a Johnson 9.9 two stroke with the extended shaft. We had to do some work on her but the little ob starts on the first pull most times and will move the boat better than 6 knots fully loaded with my family and camping gear food etc. into the wind at half speed. Needless to say I was very impressed and still am very happy with the old outboard. I don't think a new one would run as good as this one does. Have been in lakes only with her, however just from reading and asking a 9.9 should be more than you will ever need. Good sailing to you.
I just purchased a 1980 23 this summer from a friend of mine. Brand new to sailing. Anyhow the boat came with a Johnson 9.9 two stroke with the extended shaft. We had to do some work on her but the little ob starts on the first pull most times and will move the boat better than 6 knots fully loaded with my family and camping gear food etc. into the wind at half speed. Needless to say I was very impressed and still am very happy with the old outboard. I don't think a new one would run as good as this one does. Have been in lakes only with her, however just from reading and asking a 9.9 should be more than you will ever need. Good sailing to you.
8 hp
I have a '79 Oday 23, and I have a Nissan 8 hp two-stroke with electric start (long shaft). It replaced an old 9.9 Johnson two-stroke long shaft model. My experience is that the 8 drives the boat as fast as the 9.9 ever did. You NEED the long shaft; do not even consider the regular shaft models. Oday set up the mounting brackets with the long shafts in mind. If you go with a regular shaft model, your prop will not be fully submerged, even in flat water. In fact, one manufacturer used to make an extra long shaft model; you might want to check that out. If you go with a four stroke engine, you will need even less horsepower as the fours generate significantly more torque than the two stroke models. You will however need a mounting bracket specifically designed to handle a four stroke engine.
I have a '79 Oday 23, and I have a Nissan 8 hp two-stroke with electric start (long shaft). It replaced an old 9.9 Johnson two-stroke long shaft model. My experience is that the 8 drives the boat as fast as the 9.9 ever did. You NEED the long shaft; do not even consider the regular shaft models. Oday set up the mounting brackets with the long shafts in mind. If you go with a regular shaft model, your prop will not be fully submerged, even in flat water. In fact, one manufacturer used to make an extra long shaft model; you might want to check that out. If you go with a four stroke engine, you will need even less horsepower as the fours generate significantly more torque than the two stroke models. You will however need a mounting bracket specifically designed to handle a four stroke engine.
6hp for mine
My O23 moves just fine with the 6hp Sailmaster. So, I would say any longshaft from 6 to the 9.9 would be great for you.
My O23 moves just fine with the 6hp Sailmaster. So, I would say any longshaft from 6 to the 9.9 would be great for you.
Honda 7.5
I have an early 80's model 4 stroke 7.5 hp Honda. Does everything I need it to do. Best of all, it's a quiet, smooth running motor with little or no noxious smoke. If there is a negative, it isn't electric start. But then it's one less problem to deal with when it doesn't work.
I have an early 80's model 4 stroke 7.5 hp Honda. Does everything I need it to do. Best of all, it's a quiet, smooth running motor with little or no noxious smoke. If there is a negative, it isn't electric start. But then it's one less problem to deal with when it doesn't work.
9.9 or 7.5
I bought my O'Day 23 eight years ago with a Honda 7.5 4cycle. I loved that motor, but I stupidly didn't keep it flushed sufficiently and it died a valiant death. I replaced the Honda with a Johnson 9.9 2cycle. At first I couldn't believe the difference, because the motor just seemed to cavitate and not move the boat. I switched to a "power" prop, and now I'm almost over-powered. If I had it to do over again, I would buy a Honda 7.5. It has sufficient power and the BIG advantage of better mpg. Oh, yea, long shaft is the only way to go.
I bought my O'Day 23 eight years ago with a Honda 7.5 4cycle. I loved that motor, but I stupidly didn't keep it flushed sufficiently and it died a valiant death. I replaced the Honda with a Johnson 9.9 2cycle. At first I couldn't believe the difference, because the motor just seemed to cavitate and not move the boat. I switched to a "power" prop, and now I'm almost over-powered. If I had it to do over again, I would buy a Honda 7.5. It has sufficient power and the BIG advantage of better mpg. Oh, yea, long shaft is the only way to go.
Pick Power for your Currents
Picking the right outboard for your boat is a common topic on this forum. I went through this decision for my 23 two years ago. Two facts emerged: 1) No question that you need the long shaft per the boat/bracket dimensions, and 2) the transom is rated for up to 15HP per the original specs. So what to chose? For me, the two key buying factors became: 1) what weight/torque is the OB bracket rated for, and 2) what conditions do I need to motor through. I found that my Garlick bracket (per their website) was rated for only 2-stroke motors and up to 115 lbs. If you want a 4 stroke, you could change it, but I decide it is fine. On motoring conditions, I have to return to harbor by a specific channel. Wind shifts and tide conditions occassionally require that I motor into the wind against an outgoing tide. I used to have an 8hp, and was sometimes lacking in power in the current or waves. Result: I got a 2-stroke Mercury 9.9. It runs clean, is surprisingly quiet, is not too heavy, and competently pushes the boat at the 6 knot hull speed in all currents without having to peg the throttle. For me, it's the perfect fit.
Picking the right outboard for your boat is a common topic on this forum. I went through this decision for my 23 two years ago. Two facts emerged: 1) No question that you need the long shaft per the boat/bracket dimensions, and 2) the transom is rated for up to 15HP per the original specs. So what to chose? For me, the two key buying factors became: 1) what weight/torque is the OB bracket rated for, and 2) what conditions do I need to motor through. I found that my Garlick bracket (per their website) was rated for only 2-stroke motors and up to 115 lbs. If you want a 4 stroke, you could change it, but I decide it is fine. On motoring conditions, I have to return to harbor by a specific channel. Wind shifts and tide conditions occassionally require that I motor into the wind against an outgoing tide. I used to have an 8hp, and was sometimes lacking in power in the current or waves. Result: I got a 2-stroke Mercury 9.9. It runs clean, is surprisingly quiet, is not too heavy, and competently pushes the boat at the 6 knot hull speed in all currents without having to peg the throttle. For me, it's the perfect fit.
- Status