Outboard Question

[tgrass462]

We have a Hunter 260 with a 8 HP 2 cycle Tohatsu outboard. We're in the process of upgrading to a 9.9 HP 4 cycle (Yamaha, Honda or Mercury are the leading choices right now).

One of our biggest complaints of our current motor is the lack of thrust (especially in reverse) at low speeds (in a marina with cross winds ...). Yamaha and Mercury both offer high thrust options in their 9.9 HP offering - these motors (the Mercury is called 'Big Foot'; the Yamaha simply 'high thrust') have a lower gearing lower unit (2.2 : 1) or so and a larger diameter 4 bladed prop.

I'm assuming that these motors WOULD provide the needed 'push' in tight quarters that I'm currently lacking ... my question is - would they also push my 260 to Hull Speed? Would the lower gearing cancel any fuel economy advantage I might see going to a 4 cycle?

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Tom Grass
Creve Coeur, Mo.

 

[nucdad1]

bigger is heavier!

We have a Hunter 260 with a 8 HP 2 cycle Tohatsu outboard. We're in the process of upgrading to a 9.9 HP 4 cycle (Yamaha, Honda or Mercury are the leading choices right now).

One of our biggest complaints of our current motor is the lack of thrust (especially in reverse) at low speeds (in a marina with cross winds ...). Yamaha and Mercury both offer high thrust options in their 9.9 HP offering - these motors (the Mercury is called 'Big Foot'; the Yamaha simply 'high thrust') have a lower gearing lower unit (2.2 : 1) or so and a larger diameter 4 bladed prop.

I'm assuming that these motors WOULD provide the needed 'push' in tight quarters that I'm currently lacking ... my question is - would they also push my 260 to Hull Speed? Would the lower gearing cancel any fuel economy advantage I might see going to a 4 cycle?

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Tom Grass
Creve Coeur, Mo.

I have had a High Thrust Yamaha. The motor is electric start with a long shaft and weighs about 110 pounds. Lots of thrust this means lots of torque on the motor mount, I have upgraded the Motor Bracket that will assist in raising.the 4 stroke has more push per rev.. it is nice to run at half throttle and pushing just short of hull speed.
Just my thoughts,
Nolan Edwards
Russellville, AR

 

[tgrass462]

Re: bigger is heavier!

Nolan,

Thanks - this is exactly the type of info I was searching for!

Tom Grass

 

[cephius (Dave)]

I had a river current, boat wake issue, so I used the Yamaha 9.9 high thrust. No more speed than before, but what a difference in power.

When I moved to my current marina, with less than 1 minute from slip to lake, I switched back to a much lighter and less H.P. motor, just to save weight on the stern.

 

[Johnb]

Am I wrong or is a Mercury a Tohatsu with a higher price tag?

 

[cephius (Dave)]

It is my understanding that they do have the same block, yes.

 

[tgrass462]

Mercury Big Foot

You're right - Tohatsu makes all Mercury OBs less than 50 HP (or thereabouts). I also think that the big foot option (different gearing and oversized prop) is available only through Mercury however - not Nissan, Evinrude nor Tohatsu.

Thoughts???

Tom G.

It is my understanding that they do have the same block, yes.

 

[Benny17441]

I'm not sure if the High Thrust" outboard will provide the "needed push" you desire. You will likley hit hull speed with improved fuel efficiency but the performance in reverse may continue to be marginal. Sailboats are notorious for poor handling at slow reverse speeds. You just cannot get significant amount of water to run past the rudder. With an outboard the thrust of water is not directly in line with the rudder so the defficiency is more notable. If improving reverse is your main concern you may want to think this through before putting down a lot of cash.

 

[cephius (Dave)]

On the H260 it is very important to connect the motor to the rudder in order to direct the thrust. This makes the boat manageable at low speeds, even in reverse. Such a link can be found for as little as $60. It improves boat handling with any outboard.

If the conditions warrant it, a high thrust outboard is a sound investment.

 

[tgrass462]

Thanks Dave,

Dave - I certainly agree. Last year I connected my 8 HP Tohatsu to my rudder (cost about $30 for materials from West Marine) - made a world of difference!

Tom Grass

On the H260 it is very important to connect the motor to the rudder in order to direct the thrust. This makes the boat manageable at low speeds, even in reverse. Such a link can be found for as little as $60. It improves boat handling with any outboard.

If the conditions warrant it, a high thrust outboard is a sound investment.

 

[tgrass462]

Reverse

Benny, I appreciate your thoughts ... I'm not looking for high performance in reverse ... but two years ago in the north channel my anchor was dragging; I put my motor in reverse and it took (almost) forever to start backing up so I could reset. I'm hopeful that a High Thrust OB would respond much quicker. Again - I'm not looking for 6 knots in reverse ... just responsiveness.

Tom G.

I'm not sure if the High Thrust" outboard will provide the "needed push" you desire. You will likley hit hull speed with improved fuel efficiency but the performance in reverse may continue to be marginal. Sailboats are notorious for poor handling at slow reverse speeds. You just cannot get significant amount of water to run past the rudder. With an outboard the thrust of water is not directly in line with the rudder so the defficiency is more notable. If improving reverse is your main concern you may want to think this through before putting down a lot of cash.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Tgrass462.

If a high thrust for reverse propulsion is for anchoring, may I suggest adding some chain to help in essence that portion of the anchor to lay down when reversing. It works particularly when I use to anchor out all types of sailboats to include the 260 in the Pamlico for upcoming hurricanes. I tend to question the high thrust and that is simply based on experience with the 260 which is quite extensive. It was my brain child.

It could also be the anchoring area that is not conducive to putting out an anchor as well and that too I have come across.

crazy dave condon

 

[Merlin Clark]

I had problems manuvering with my Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke. My boat is 5,000 and the motor took a bit to get the boat moving well and forget reverse- when approaching the dock I'd have to kick it in neutral well in advance and pretty much coast to a stop with all that inertia.
I swapped the 8" pitch prop for a 6" pitch"high thrust" and now manuver very well at low speed and I can actually stop and back the boat. Too much pitch was causing cavitation where the lower pitch prop bites the water better in either direction.
The prop cost $75 at Defender and I kept the old one for a spare.

 

[Bill Jones12954]

Compare the weight of the various outboards. Honda's usually weigh more than others of the same hp.

 

[tgrass462]

Thanks Dave

Dave - I REALLY value your opinion.

Can you expand on your issues with the high thrust option on the 260.

• Cost?
• Weight?
• Too much Power?
• Other?

Thanks again.

Tom Grass

Tgrass462.

If a high thrust for reverse propulsion is for anchoring, may I suggest adding some chain to help in essence that portion of the anchor to lay down when reversing. It works particularly when I use to anchor out all types of sailboats to include the 260 in the Pamlico for upcoming hurricanes. I tend to question the high thrust and that is simply based on experience with the 260 which is quite extensive. It was my brain child.

It could also be the anchoring area that is not conducive to putting out an anchor as well and that too I have come across.

crazy dave condon

 

[DJN51]

Have a 6 hp 4 stroke on my 95 23.5 hunter,change prop from oem to high thrust ,world of difference in rev.Can almost ide out of slip in rev.Don,t know if makes much diff in speed but manuvability at slow speeds was remarkable.

 

[teacher63]

Check the Mercury because it may be a mercury on the outside and a Tohatsu on the inside. Some manufactures use Tohatsu for their small HP motors and put their name on it. I had a Tohatsu 3.5 and hated it. I have a Honda 5 on a 23 footer and love it. Problem is they fail the light weight category.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

I am not well versed on high end thrust props and apparently from two responses of changing the prop is a good experience. This forum brings alot of good information. What I will say about outboard motors, no more than 10 hp on the boat and when transporting, leave the motor down but do tie the handle end of the motor up with a line to help keep it from bouncing up and down.

dave condon