I need to fix the inboard (saildrive) or put an outboard on the boat...I have an Oday 25, with a fixed keel. what would you do? Does it make sense to leave the non functioning saildrive in the boat and use the outboard at the same time,or should I remove the saildrive and fill the hole. Also what is a good horse power motor for the outboard I should use for the 25 foot Oday. thanks.
OutBoard repowering
- Thread starter JoeGoodrow
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Outboard repowering
Joe, I'd remove the sail drive engine with the lower unit skeg, along with gas tank, and patch up the hole. As far as the outboard is concerned; most of the 25s are powered by 9.9 or 10 HP outboards. Just make sure that you install a heavy duty tilt bracket that will take the engine weight and torque of the outboard that you'll be using. The four stroke outboards are heavier than the two strokes. I love my Johnson Sail Master 8 HP. 2-stroke on my OD 222, but I found out that they stopped making them and are making the Evin-rude, which is the same engine, but you should go for at least a 9.9 with the electric start and the charging system or alternator. Some outboards like Yamaha, I think, even have a shift/throttle control that mounts right on your tiller for ease of operating. As for the gas tank, I'd go with a 6 gallon polyethylene tank made by Dura-Tank. You're probably going to have to find a place to put it. I wouldn't stick it in the lazerett, though. It needs to be somewhere in the cockpit where it will never leak into the bilge. Check out another O'Day 25 with an outboard if you can locate one, and try to get some kind of an idea of how to duplicate a fuel storage locker on your boat that is open to the cockpit. Years ago, I had a metal gas tank rust out in the compartment and the raw gas ate out the self bailing hose that is located under the sole plate near the transom. I had a heck of a time trying to rid my boat of the fumes for many months. This is the reason why I don't use metal gas tanks anymore. For some reason though, O'Day built their boats with just enough room in the fuel compartment for a 6 gallon metal tank. Most poly tanks of that size are too big to fit in these compartments, even on the O'Day 25s and 26s. The 3 gallon poly tanks will fit with no problem, but 3 gallon tanks aren't large enough. The 6 gallon Dura-Tank is the only one that I've found so far that will fit in these small compartments. One of our members supposedly removed the sail drive from his full keel OD 25 and mounted a bracket and outboard, but I never got to see that boat after they did the change, as they moved down to Florida when they quit the club. Good luck! Joe
Joe, I'd remove the sail drive engine with the lower unit skeg, along with gas tank, and patch up the hole. As far as the outboard is concerned; most of the 25s are powered by 9.9 or 10 HP outboards. Just make sure that you install a heavy duty tilt bracket that will take the engine weight and torque of the outboard that you'll be using. The four stroke outboards are heavier than the two strokes. I love my Johnson Sail Master 8 HP. 2-stroke on my OD 222, but I found out that they stopped making them and are making the Evin-rude, which is the same engine, but you should go for at least a 9.9 with the electric start and the charging system or alternator. Some outboards like Yamaha, I think, even have a shift/throttle control that mounts right on your tiller for ease of operating. As for the gas tank, I'd go with a 6 gallon polyethylene tank made by Dura-Tank. You're probably going to have to find a place to put it. I wouldn't stick it in the lazerett, though. It needs to be somewhere in the cockpit where it will never leak into the bilge. Check out another O'Day 25 with an outboard if you can locate one, and try to get some kind of an idea of how to duplicate a fuel storage locker on your boat that is open to the cockpit. Years ago, I had a metal gas tank rust out in the compartment and the raw gas ate out the self bailing hose that is located under the sole plate near the transom. I had a heck of a time trying to rid my boat of the fumes for many months. This is the reason why I don't use metal gas tanks anymore. For some reason though, O'Day built their boats with just enough room in the fuel compartment for a 6 gallon metal tank. Most poly tanks of that size are too big to fit in these compartments, even on the O'Day 25s and 26s. The 3 gallon poly tanks will fit with no problem, but 3 gallon tanks aren't large enough. The 6 gallon Dura-Tank is the only one that I've found so far that will fit in these small compartments. One of our members supposedly removed the sail drive from his full keel OD 25 and mounted a bracket and outboard, but I never got to see that boat after they did the change, as they moved down to Florida when they quit the club. Good luck! Joe
25 fixes
Joe, Joe has given you a lot of good advice. Also, has suggested a complex fix requiring glass working. What he suggest will work and when done well can be stronger than original. Before I made that major repair, I would study the sail drive. Many good mechanics can rebuild old engines so that they function very well. It just may be easier to rebuild the two units of the sail drive system. Or, if the lower unit is in good working order, a good shade tree mechanic might be able to match a new upper unit to the old lower. You have time to study. The power from the prop of the sail drive lower unit is very different than power from an outboard. That difference should be fairly evaluated. I use an 8 hp Tohatsu on my 26. It is inland lake and I have not used this boat against coastal currents. However, it is my opinion having sailed against those coastal currents the 8 hp would be adequate. Mine is 2 stroke and a very light engine. If you choose outboards, I would recommend getting the lightest motor possible. If you put a motor mount on a 25/26 the transom needs to be reinforced. Mine came with barely adequate stern reinforcing. I would remove swim ladder , gudgeons, and then put at least ¾ “ marine plywood across entire stern, then glass over and reinstall swim ladder, gudgeons, and motor mount. Also use ss backing plates for the gudgeons. So, are you going Trans Atlantic? Ed K
Joe, Joe has given you a lot of good advice. Also, has suggested a complex fix requiring glass working. What he suggest will work and when done well can be stronger than original. Before I made that major repair, I would study the sail drive. Many good mechanics can rebuild old engines so that they function very well. It just may be easier to rebuild the two units of the sail drive system. Or, if the lower unit is in good working order, a good shade tree mechanic might be able to match a new upper unit to the old lower. You have time to study. The power from the prop of the sail drive lower unit is very different than power from an outboard. That difference should be fairly evaluated. I use an 8 hp Tohatsu on my 26. It is inland lake and I have not used this boat against coastal currents. However, it is my opinion having sailed against those coastal currents the 8 hp would be adequate. Mine is 2 stroke and a very light engine. If you choose outboards, I would recommend getting the lightest motor possible. If you put a motor mount on a 25/26 the transom needs to be reinforced. Mine came with barely adequate stern reinforcing. I would remove swim ladder , gudgeons, and then put at least ¾ “ marine plywood across entire stern, then glass over and reinstall swim ladder, gudgeons, and motor mount. Also use ss backing plates for the gudgeons. So, are you going Trans Atlantic? Ed K
outboard repowering
Thanks joe. I cant afford to experiment with fixing the sail drive, so your advice seems to make the most sense. Thanks to all who have responded to my questions. Joe
Thanks joe. I cant afford to experiment with fixing the sail drive, so your advice seems to make the most sense. Thanks to all who have responded to my questions. Joe
25 fixes
Thanks Ed K. I really appreciate it. Trans Atlantic? Not this year, But eventually I'm dreaming about reading south along the coast, then thru the Panama Canal, and some day to Hawaii. At this point I'd be shark bait. I've got a lot to learn and I appreciate everyones help. Joe
Thanks Ed K. I really appreciate it. Trans Atlantic? Not this year, But eventually I'm dreaming about reading south along the coast, then thru the Panama Canal, and some day to Hawaii. At this point I'd be shark bait. I've got a lot to learn and I appreciate everyones help. Joe
Outboard bracket placement
Joe, If you could find someone who has a boat similar to yours with the bracket and block for the outboard, you might be able to take measurements and get a similar bracket for your boat to install at the same height. One of our members installed his bracket in the wrong place twice and wound up drilling unnecessary holes until he got the perfect placement. When he got through, it must have looked like a woodpecker attacked it. The best of luck! Joe
Joe, If you could find someone who has a boat similar to yours with the bracket and block for the outboard, you might be able to take measurements and get a similar bracket for your boat to install at the same height. One of our members installed his bracket in the wrong place twice and wound up drilling unnecessary holes until he got the perfect placement. When he got through, it must have looked like a woodpecker attacked it. The best of luck! Joe
ZEPHYR details
The OMC Saildrive (OMC Zephyr) that was installed in the O'Day 25 as an option was rated at 15 hp, and was a detuned 35 hp outboard powerhead. The engine is the same powerhead as the mid-1970s to early 1980s Evinrude/Johnson 35 hp. Parts may be still available, but not always. If you want to stay with a saildrive, there is a company that is selling a 15hp 4-stroke unit based on the Yamaha powerhead (15hp?) I think the website for info is saildrive280.com. It ain't cheap! $6,800....maybe the outboard and bracket IS a better option! All O'day 25s built from about 1979 until the model was phased out in 1983 had a molded-in compartment in the cockpit for a 6-gallon outboard tank, Joe may be right about only the OMC duratank or a metal 6 gallon tank fitting there. 3 gallons will still give pretty good range for most people though.
The OMC Saildrive (OMC Zephyr) that was installed in the O'Day 25 as an option was rated at 15 hp, and was a detuned 35 hp outboard powerhead. The engine is the same powerhead as the mid-1970s to early 1980s Evinrude/Johnson 35 hp. Parts may be still available, but not always. If you want to stay with a saildrive, there is a company that is selling a 15hp 4-stroke unit based on the Yamaha powerhead (15hp?) I think the website for info is saildrive280.com. It ain't cheap! $6,800....maybe the outboard and bracket IS a better option! All O'day 25s built from about 1979 until the model was phased out in 1983 had a molded-in compartment in the cockpit for a 6-gallon outboard tank, Joe may be right about only the OMC duratank or a metal 6 gallon tank fitting there. 3 gallons will still give pretty good range for most people though.
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