Outboard Opinions/Advice?

tommays · Oct 27, 2011

It will move around just fine with a 4/5/6 HP high thrust prop outboard and there willl not be a big differance between the 4 and 6

Tohatsu=Nissan=Mercury other than some minor things like the paint color as they come form the same factory in japan

If you want the giant one it will have two cylinders and be much smother BUT really heavy

Sumner · Oct 27, 2011

tommays said:
It will move around just fine with a 4/5/6 HP high thrust prop outboard and there willl not be a big differance between the 4 and 6

Tohatsu=Nissan=Mercury other than some minor things like the paint color as they come form the same factory in japan

If you want the giant one it will have two cylinders and be much smother BUT really heavy

I agree. We have a 5 HP Nissan we bought used, Tohatsu made it. With a high thrust prop ...

8.375 dia. -- 6 pitch -- 3 blade -- high thrust -- part #399B645121

http://www.tohatsuoutboardparts.com/Props-and-Hardware.html

...it should work fine for you if you are staying on lakes. We used it once on our Mac in 20+ mph winds and it had no problems.

If you are going to be using the boat where there are currents, river or tidal, I'd go with something larger.

We have an extra-long-shaft 9.8 HP Tohatsu on the boat as our main outboard and wouldn't want less after being in tidal currents in Florida. It also has a high thrust prop.

More on why we bought it here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-25.html

...and we would buy another in an instant. It has been a great outboard and we were happy with the people we bought it from,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

FourPoints · Oct 27, 2011

For a boat with 4000 pounds displacement, an 8 horsepower should be all you need. I suggest 2hp per 1k lbs displacement. I displace 5k, with an 8hp. It does alright but cannot reach hull speed in anything but flat water. 2 additional HP would be much appreciated when there is any weather at all.

jackfromhicksville · Oct 27, 2011

motor mount

brian

I am thinking of replacing my motor mount. Any advise?

Jack

kloudie1 · Oct 27, 2011

I sail a good bit on a 27 foot catamaran that has a 9.9 HP Yamaha high thrust long shaft.. It is a fine engine and should be considered here.. It is electric start and has an 6 ampere charger .. A fine engine with the shift and kill switch on the tiller handle with the throttle.. Downside is that it weighs about 100 pounds.. Engine probably has around 200 hours on it.. it is about 12 years old and sat unusued a few years before I knew it..
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/subcatspecs/4/specs.aspx

Daydreamer · Oct 27, 2011

I have a Oday 22, about 2100 lb. displacement, with an 86 Sailmaster 8 that will push me at 7kt plus on a choppy lake. I am considering replacing it with a Mercury 8 hp four stroke just to get away from the smoke. Since I trailer the boat and don't leave the motor on the mount when towing I don't think anything bigger would be do-able. The Mercury 8 starts out at 84 lb dry weight for the short shaft.

tommays · Oct 27, 2011

The small Tohatsu 4/5 HP will reach FULL RPM with the high thrust prop so i am a bit unsure how the 6HP will result in more power as it uses the same prop

I could not even open up the 4HP on the 8000# + Cal 29 when i moved it 16 miles at 4.5 knots and the now repiared A4 will push it to 6.5 BUT the hull stern squats above 5.5 knots

Ron20324 · Oct 27, 2011

When I changed out my B235's 6 for an 8, Honda had just come out with an extra-long shaft of 25 inches. Even if you don't think you need the extra length to get the prop down into the water, it will allow you to keep the power head farther up from the water.

rpell1@msn.com · Oct 27, 2011

Before my 30 Catalina, I had a 22 Chrysler that weighed in at 3,000 lbs. It originally came with an 8 hp Chrysler motor that developed too many problems to repair.

I replaced it with a used 9.9 hp Yamaha 4 stroke, long shaft and was absolutely delighted with the power even in 4 foot seas with a 15mph+ wind. Well, after 3 years, that motor grew legs and went south....somewhere.

I replaced it with a 5 hp Merc, Long shaft, 2 stroke. It pushed me around at hull speed (in flat water) and maneuvered me in and out of my slip adequately. After 3 good years, this motor started giving me headaches.....first it was a bearing failure, then a rotted out cooling line, then a fuel tank leak, then a carb problem........

SOooooo, I replaced it with another Yamaha. this time it was a new 8 hp, 4 stroke, high thrust, long shaft with all the bells and whistles. This was one great motor. It pushed me at hull speed in almost any sea state, maneuvered me in and around my slip with tremendous ease and used about 3/4 gallons per hour. After 3 years of service, I sold it....and the boat....to get my Catalina. The motor is still in my Club and satisfying her new owner to no end. Minimal service required.....good quality fuel and stabilizer, new plugs each year.....and NO problems yet!!

Good Luck..

rgranger said:
Hey All

I need some advice based upon actual first hand knowledge.

I've decided to finally spend some money and buy myself an new long shaft outboard with an alternator and electric start.

I just acquired a new project boat (A Rhodes 22) and I'm going to fix this one up with a proper electrical system this time. My current outboard (which is great for only $600) is a Briggs and Straton 5hp (air cooled an loud as hell). Something like that would not work for what I have in mind for the Rhodes.

The Rhodes has a displacement of 3900# so I'm thinking I'll need something closer to 10hp. AT my marina most people seem to have gone with the Honda 9.9 but...

What's the general feeling when ranking ... say...

Tohatsu vs. Nissan vs. Honda vs. Mercury etc.

If you have something in the 8hp to 15hp range and love your OB, please tell me what you have and why you like it.

Thanks,

Rob

noanker · Oct 27, 2011

tohtsu, nissan ad small mercury motors are all made by tohatsu....you pay for the dcals on the hood

Benny17441 · Oct 27, 2011

You are a little off, the boats dry displacement is 2,900 lbs. With engine, fuel, filled water tank, provisions and boat stuff will probably get to 3,300 lbs before you add the weight of the crew. The boat will need no more than 10HP and would do with an 8HP but for the fact that their weight is almost similar so it would be wise to go ahead and get the 10HP. We run a Starwind 223 2,800 # wet with a 2 stroke 9.9 HP Nissan and have been in conditions were the engine could only push the boat against wind and current at 1.5 knots. It is nice having that extra power as long as it does not add in weight. Our Nissan is hand crancked with no alternator, a gas hog and weighs around 60 lbs. With current regulations if you want to go new you need to go 4 strokes so might as well enjoy the benefits. Have had engines of all makes but I'm afraid their reliability or lack off may be irrelevant to today's new designs. Two things, get the right prop for your boat and get an engine mount rated for the weight of the engine and attach to the transom with a steel backing plate. I prefer an adjustable one that can raise the engine up so it can swing out of the water. If you trailer all the time a fixed one may do. Check out the length and scope of the manufacturers warranty as it will provide the best protection. All manufacturers put out some lemons. Hopes this helps. The Rhodes 22 is quite a boat. I always admire it at the boat shows. Remember the foremost best characteristic of a trailer vessel is its ability to sail in distant sailing venues in a matter of hours. Enjoy.

bffatcat · Oct 27, 2011

Which outboard?

Ive got a pearson 26 weekender keel displacement 5200 lbs 2 seasons ago I replaced a
20 year old 2 cycle mercury with a 8hp Tohatsu 4 cycle The tohatsu pushes my boat at
hull speed about 6.25 kts at less than half throttle. It is far more powerful than the old merc.
Its also a lot heavier at 83 lbs. If I had it to do over again I would have gotten a smaller lighter motor this motor is definitely overkill. and its too heavy for me to pick up.

Joe · Oct 27, 2011

I've found it difficult to find a motor less than 8 hp, except the honda, will full electric and remote. You may have to purchase a kit for that type accessory. ... check before you buy.

Manureva · Oct 27, 2011

i bougth a brand new suzuki df 9.9, with charger, electric start and high trust, and i absolutely HATE it, the 1983 honda it replace would start any time you pulled the cord once, the darn suzuki id cranking for about five minute every time it needs to start, it is a real pain when you need it fast, the after sale service is horrible, i wrote to suzuki and explained my concern and NEVER got any answer from them. i would not even recomend it to my ex wife....

RECESS · Oct 27, 2011

I just replaced my 1980 10hp 4 stroke Honda with a 9.9 Tohatsu. The Tohatsu is a little louder and has more vibration than the Honda did, but that is rather minor compared to having electric start and an alternator. I have it on a Oday 25 that hits hull speed on a smooth day at half throttle. On a rough day hull speed is about 3/4 throttle. I got the Ultra long 25" shaft. Freaking awesome. I have been out in some cross winds on some jacked up waves in the shallow and it has not windmilled at all. The 20" Long shaft would regularly windmill when cresting a wave. It helps that the Oday rudder is pretty deep in the water so the 25" shaft never overpowers it.

My wife packs our boat heavy and a 9.9 is all we need on our 25. I imagine if your Rhodes 22 is anything like our Catalina 22, an 8 hp will be all the motor you will ever need, even against strong tides and rough water.

Sumner · Oct 27, 2011

Joe said:
I've found it difficult to find a motor less than 8 hp, except the honda, will full electric and remote. You may have to purchase a kit for that type accessory. ... check before you buy.

Yep, to get the extra-long-shaft in the Tohatsu, and probably the Nissan, you have to get the 9.8 HP. I'm sure that we wouldn't of noticed a difference in performance with the 8 HP as it is the same except for the carb, but wanted the extra-long-shaft and also felt that when it finally came time to sell a potential buyer who didn't know better might think the 9.8 HP was a bonus.

One other thing I would strongly recommend, especially if you are going to run gas with ethanol is to get a ...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/outside-36.html

...filter with a water separator with it.

If it is out in the sun cover it with something...

...like the cover Ruth....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor-canvas/canvas-7.html

... made to protect it from UV.

We got the...

UNIKAS Water / Fuel Separator Filter....

http://www.tohatsuoutboardparts.com/Fuel-Tanks-and-Lines.html

....above from onlineoutboard.com at the same time we bought the outboard as well as the second 4 blade 7 pitch prop with a mounting kit. The outboard came with a really high thrust 4 blade 5 pitch which we felt we didn't need since our boat isn't that heavy. It is now our backup prop. When we ordered the second prop and parts with the outboard they threw in the free shipping on them also.

Good luck,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links