My 1983 Evinrude Sailmaster 9.9 just gave up the ghost, and I'm in the market for a new outboard for my 1981 O'Day 22. I have read all the archived posts regarding the older brackets not being suitable for a 4-stroke. I would like advice on a few points as I consider what to purchase: 1. Is a 5-horse (4 stroke) enough power? I only use the motor to go in and out of the harbor or occasionally to get back to port if the wind dies or changes direction. I'm not looking for speed, but I want sufficient power so I won't worry in moderate wind and seas. 2. The 5-horse Honda long shaft weighs only 61 pounds. The weight is obviously okay for the bracket, but would the torque of a 5-horse be too much for this old bracket? 3. What are your thoughts on the electric start and electric tilt? I did enjoy having the electric start on my old motor, but the smaller ones don't offer these features. 4. Does anyone have experience replacing the outboard bracket on the O'Day 22? The posts I have seen were all for 25's, but I'm assuming the set-up is relatively similar. The bracket is mounted to a wedge on the starbourd side transom; the lazarette is on this side, so I can access the interior of the wedge mount. Thanks for any advice you can give.
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My experience
My Oday 22 has a 7.5 hp Honda 4-stroke which is certainly adequate for getting back to the dock in light winds or motoring around the marina. The torque from the 7.5 is not an issue. I don't think that a bigger motor is necessary and the extra weight wouldn't be desirable. I think its got the original motor bracket however and my goal is to replace it with something beefier.
My Oday 22 has a 7.5 hp Honda 4-stroke which is certainly adequate for getting back to the dock in light winds or motoring around the marina. The torque from the 7.5 is not an issue. I don't think that a bigger motor is necessary and the extra weight wouldn't be desirable. I think its got the original motor bracket however and my goal is to replace it with something beefier.
some considerations
i have a honda 5 hp on my oday 20 and it has plenty of power. i don't need to go beyond the start setting. however, the bracket is a bear to lift as i have to lean overboard and lift toward the stern at the start of the lift due to a notch in a slot which is designed hold it down under power. this is a very ackward to do as your center of gravity is almost past the stern. i also have problems pulling the starter due to a problems with my right hand. i found it easier to start with my left hand with the engine in the up position and then lowering it into the water. not the best for the impeller but easier to start left handed. i would suggest any thing you can do to make it easier to lift (ie hydralic) or start (ie electric) may be worth it. of course, it depends on your age. i am offically a gezer according to my kids.
i have a honda 5 hp on my oday 20 and it has plenty of power. i don't need to go beyond the start setting. however, the bracket is a bear to lift as i have to lean overboard and lift toward the stern at the start of the lift due to a notch in a slot which is designed hold it down under power. this is a very ackward to do as your center of gravity is almost past the stern. i also have problems pulling the starter due to a problems with my right hand. i found it easier to start with my left hand with the engine in the up position and then lowering it into the water. not the best for the impeller but easier to start left handed. i would suggest any thing you can do to make it easier to lift (ie hydralic) or start (ie electric) may be worth it. of course, it depends on your age. i am offically a gezer according to my kids.
My two cents
I replaced the bracket on my Oday 23; conceptually, it should be easy. Just unbolt the thing and rebolt the new one. However, there were complications. The spacer block (that angled hunk of fiberglass) was rotting away inside. I had to scoop out all of the rotting wood and beef it up with West System resin. It was the first time I worked with fiberglass and it was kind of fun. I also replaced the nuts and bolts. Finding stainless bolts that were long enough was a bit of a chore. I wound up making them myself from threaded stock; turns out they are available as a special order item from West Marine. Oh well. I also discovered the joy of using copper anti-seizing goop; spread this stuff on the end of the bolt before putting the nut on, and you will always be able to unfasten the nut. No corrosion! Definitely was easier to do this project over the winter. I took the whole thing apart after the boat was out of the water, and took the spacer block, bracket, etc. home with me. As a general matter, try and find a replacement bracket that fits the existing bolt pattern of your spacer block and your transom. Otherwise, you could be stuck making a new spacer block and drilling new holes in your boat. Rudy at D&R Marine knew exactly what would fit and sold me a new bracket. For me, this was the biggest reason not to go with a four stroke engine; I didn't want the hassle of either. All of the four stroke brackets I have seen have a wider base and wider bolt spacing than my "standard" two stroke bracket. Will your two stroke bracket be overwhelmed by your four stroke engine? Probably not. Each of us has a different level of risk acceptance and only you can answer if you will be comfortable taking that chance. If the engine does overpower the bracket, I think the most likely result will be that it bends, not breaks. If you are ok with the risk, you might want to at least go with a new two stroke bracket. The five hp four stroke should easily drive the 22 at hull speed. I have an eight hp on my 23, and it is more than enough. btw, if the engine comes in an "extra long shaft" model, go for it. Even with the 20" long shaft, the prop will come out of the water easily. The 25" extra longs are definitely worth the money. I also have electric start; well worth the money in my (and the Admiral's) book. However, I seem to recall that it didn't come on anything smaller than the 8 hp a few years ago. If that's the case, it's another one of those choices for you. Starting a small outboard by hand is no big deal, but electric start is one of those things like air conditioning: once you have it, it's hard to do without. Electric tilt? Don't have it. I don't bother raising or lowering the bracket itself. Its way too difficult. I just tilt the engine out of the water. I don't know how big a unit it would take to do the tilt electrically, but it sounds like a nice upgrade. However, with only a 60 lb. engine, it also sounds unecessary.
I replaced the bracket on my Oday 23; conceptually, it should be easy. Just unbolt the thing and rebolt the new one. However, there were complications. The spacer block (that angled hunk of fiberglass) was rotting away inside. I had to scoop out all of the rotting wood and beef it up with West System resin. It was the first time I worked with fiberglass and it was kind of fun. I also replaced the nuts and bolts. Finding stainless bolts that were long enough was a bit of a chore. I wound up making them myself from threaded stock; turns out they are available as a special order item from West Marine. Oh well. I also discovered the joy of using copper anti-seizing goop; spread this stuff on the end of the bolt before putting the nut on, and you will always be able to unfasten the nut. No corrosion! Definitely was easier to do this project over the winter. I took the whole thing apart after the boat was out of the water, and took the spacer block, bracket, etc. home with me. As a general matter, try and find a replacement bracket that fits the existing bolt pattern of your spacer block and your transom. Otherwise, you could be stuck making a new spacer block and drilling new holes in your boat. Rudy at D&R Marine knew exactly what would fit and sold me a new bracket. For me, this was the biggest reason not to go with a four stroke engine; I didn't want the hassle of either. All of the four stroke brackets I have seen have a wider base and wider bolt spacing than my "standard" two stroke bracket. Will your two stroke bracket be overwhelmed by your four stroke engine? Probably not. Each of us has a different level of risk acceptance and only you can answer if you will be comfortable taking that chance. If the engine does overpower the bracket, I think the most likely result will be that it bends, not breaks. If you are ok with the risk, you might want to at least go with a new two stroke bracket. The five hp four stroke should easily drive the 22 at hull speed. I have an eight hp on my 23, and it is more than enough. btw, if the engine comes in an "extra long shaft" model, go for it. Even with the 20" long shaft, the prop will come out of the water easily. The 25" extra longs are definitely worth the money. I also have electric start; well worth the money in my (and the Admiral's) book. However, I seem to recall that it didn't come on anything smaller than the 8 hp a few years ago. If that's the case, it's another one of those choices for you. Starting a small outboard by hand is no big deal, but electric start is one of those things like air conditioning: once you have it, it's hard to do without. Electric tilt? Don't have it. I don't bother raising or lowering the bracket itself. Its way too difficult. I just tilt the engine out of the water. I don't know how big a unit it would take to do the tilt electrically, but it sounds like a nice upgrade. However, with only a 60 lb. engine, it also sounds unecessary.
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