I sail my 20' O'day on the Hudson and the present 4hp outboard that I have just doesn't have enough power to go against the current and the wind when you are presented with that situation. My question---is the boat "rated" for any specific size hp outboard?
outboards for 20'
- Thread starter wndwatch46
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Not sure the rating but when I had my 20, I never had a problem with my 6hp Evinrude long shaft.
Greg
Greg
According to the I Heart Odays website, the max recommended hp for that boat is 12.
http://www.iheartodays.com/model_oday_20.html
I assume that Oday was referring to a 12 hp two stroke model (the default kind of ob until a few years ago). The new four strokes generate more torque than their two stroke cousins, and therefore you can get away with less hp. However, the trade off is that the four strokes are much heavier and usually require mounting brackets specifically rated to accept their greater weight and torque. The balance of your small boat can be greatly affected by a heavy weight hanging off the transom, so in choosing a new engine, be very cognizant of weight. Since they don't make small two stroke ob's anymore, any new engine you buy will be a four stroke.
http://www.iheartodays.com/model_oday_20.html
I assume that Oday was referring to a 12 hp two stroke model (the default kind of ob until a few years ago). The new four strokes generate more torque than their two stroke cousins, and therefore you can get away with less hp. However, the trade off is that the four strokes are much heavier and usually require mounting brackets specifically rated to accept their greater weight and torque. The balance of your small boat can be greatly affected by a heavy weight hanging off the transom, so in choosing a new engine, be very cognizant of weight. Since they don't make small two stroke ob's anymore, any new engine you buy will be a four stroke.
Thanks to both of you for the info. Your info does verify some of the dock talk. I will be looking for a 6hp. The weight difference between a 2 and 4 is significant and more so for a 20'. Thanks again.
If your looking at Mercury motors get the Tohatsu instead. Mercury (under 40 hp), Nissan and Tohatsu are the same. I bought a 6hp Tohatsu 20" shaft for my O'Day 22 back in April. Very happy with it. If I painted it black and paid more it would be be identical to the Mercury. I shopped on line, found the best price, then asked the local dealer if they would match the price. They did. I had to pay tax to buy locally, but hopefully if I have a problem (and I haven't) they won't act like they don't know me
i have a honda 5hp on my oday 20 and i never have to run much above an idle. but then, i don't have to deal with river currents.
the important thing to remember is to make sure your motor bracket is adequate and properly backed for the larger motor, especially if you go to a 4 stoke which is heavier and has more low end torque. there have been pictures posted on this site showing the stern of larger oday's ripped open due to inadequate backed motor brackets.
the important thing to remember is to make sure your motor bracket is adequate and properly backed for the larger motor, especially if you go to a 4 stoke which is heavier and has more low end torque. there have been pictures posted on this site showing the stern of larger oday's ripped open due to inadequate backed motor brackets.
Don't forget, your hull speed is around 5.5 kts. So if the current is around that speed you could hang a 20 hp outboard on and you still won't be able to (theoretically) go upstream.
Or, as Bob Dylan would say, "You ain't goin' nowhere."
That said, my Honda 7.5 moves my 23' O'Day at hull speed at about 1/2 throttle.
Shine On!
Don
Or, as Bob Dylan would say, "You ain't goin' nowhere."
That said, my Honda 7.5 moves my 23' O'Day at hull speed at about 1/2 throttle.
Shine On!
Don
I'm running a 1999 Johnson two stroke 8 hp with a long shaft and charging unit on my O'Day 222 and I love this outboard. The shift is on the front of the engine and easy to get at. We have strong currents in the river and I have no problem stemming a foul current at the maximum strength of Spring Tides.
Joe
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