Outboard Power for a Low Budget Sailor

[John OBrien]

I sail a 1986 H23 with a similarly aged 2-cycle, long shaft 5hp Nissan motor. For peace of mind, I may get a replacement motor. As a low budget sailor, I want to spend little but get a reliable outboard. I'm thus looking at new motors and find they get pricey with increasing hp and shaft length. My questions:1. My only power needs are maneuvering in the mooring basin, or motoring home when the wind dies. How little hp can I get away with ?? I sail in light (always < 15 kt) breezes on a calm (except for powerboat wakes) lake. My 5 hp moves us nicely. Could I drop to 4 hp or even 3.3 hp ?? 2. Will a "short shaft" (15") shaft work ?? The purchase alternative is a "long shaft" (20").

 

[Chuck]

Safety concern

How big is this lake Lanier? My 81 H22 has a longshaft 7.5 HP that has motored me directly into 35+ kt winds and 3+ foot seas. The boats max speed with this motor is roughly 6.5 to 7 Kts. If you're running home directly into high winds and currents with anything less than the proper designed MINIMUM HP for your boat you are courting disaster. Pennywise and pound foolish has no place on a sailboat. Your motor should push you at least as fast as your boat can sail.

 

[Wanderer138]

Good point Chuck

Ther is no question that a 4 hp outboard will move you along just fine in calm conditions. But if the weather turns sour when home is upwind and you need to get there in a hurry, you'll be glad for the extra power. Same thought applies if you ever have to render assistance and tow another boat home (I've done it twice, once in bad weather). You can certainly render assistance with a smaller outboard but at the same time you could be placing your own vessel at risk as well.Running a larger outboard at low throttle will actually get better mileage and cause less engine wear than running a smaller engine full bore. Larger outboards have separate tanks which make refueling much easier. Ultimately, it comes down to weight and price, and there isn't a lot of difference in price in small outboards. For my two cents, I think 8hp is about right for an H23.PeterH23 "Raven" (with 8 hp Nissan)

 

[Randy Simmons]

9.9?

I picked up a used long shaft Johnson SailMaster 9.9 for $500. Had it gone through/serviced by a local boat shop and even though it was older, it had great compression and was in good condition. It had electric start and pull start if the battery were to run out of juice. It pushes me along at 6.5 to 7.5 depending on wind direction and wave height and has been a great little motor on Lake Erie. With everyone switching to four-stroke motors, the two-stroke are getting easier to find if you don't mind a little noise and vibration. The dual starting is just food for thought...

 

[crazy dave]

John

Peter was hitting this on the nail head. If you reduce hp on the 23, you will have less manuverability in high wind but do not fret, you are on an inland lake. That Nissan 5 hp should do the job fine(built by Tohatsu). If it is hard to start, take the carb off and clean it out with carb cleaner. A 9.9 whether new or used is too much weight on the back end of the motor mount that came with the boat originally plus you will be over powered.The big question is what is wrong with your current motor? Is it not running smoothly? If not, the first thing to do is clean the carb out. You can take it off, take it apart while cleaning it. Do not adjust anything and put it back together. Let me knwo what is wrong with your motor.Crazy dave condon