Outboards - too much power?

[CaptJake]

I have a 9.9 hp Sportwin on an Irwin 25 that I would trade for a 4-5hp in a heartbeat RSU. Sailboats do not ever get "on plane" as a fishing boat does so all you need is enough to safely move your boat when your not under sail. We do call them nav motors for a reason.

 

[Freedom77]

Horsepower is just a number. On a 19 ft. weight is the issue. I have a V-25 and I carry a Honda 7.5 which is plenty. On my V-21 I had a Merc 4 long shaft. Fair Winds and Full Sails...

 

[cookwithgas]

Ladies and gents,
Quick question re the max hp rating for my newly bought 19ft Daysailer...think it's a 73, and have the chance to buy a 10hp 4stroke Honda long shaft ... is this too much power? too heavy? We are on a Lake that gets up pretty quick but don't want too much weight. Is this too much motor?
Thanks in advance,
Newsailer

I bought an 1,800 lb, 22' MacGregor this summer with an 8HP electric start and I always thought it was too big. I didn't like carrying it every time I launched so I recently traded for a 4HP, same brand (Nissan) without electric start. The boat goes just as fast and performs better under sail with less weight on the back. I don't have to strain my back getting it attached to the boat. I'd say your 10 HP is WAY too big for your boat.

Good luck,
Aubrey Scott in Texas

 

[dscribner]

I have an 8 HP 2-stroke on my Lancer 25. 4000 lbs of boat and it goes just fine at half throttle. Hull speed at full, I'm guessing. Unless your boat will plane, then the additioanl power might be a waste of weight/money. Once hull speed is reached, the amount of power needed to increase speed goes through the roof. Planing would be different.

 

[monkeybars]

if you leave your motor permenantly mounted on the boat go with the 10 you won't regret it when your coming into the marina against a current at a receding tide with 25knts of wind coming at you.

 

[Winkfish]

Unless your boat will plane, then the additioanl power might be a waste of weight/money. Once hull speed is reached, the amount of power needed to increase speed goes through the roof. Planing would be different.

The reason you would want the power is not for speed, but for maneuvering. More horsepower would help more in controlling your boat's maneuvering ability, swinging the stern around for example, or stopping quickly. As said before, weight is still a big issue, but speed is not the only reason you want power.

Aske people where you are, in the same marina, in the same conditions, what they have and if they are satisfied.

 

[JVB]

I have a 9.9 hp Sportwin on an Irwin 25 that I would trade for a 4-5hp in a heartbeat RSU. Sailboats do not ever get "on plane" as a fishing boat does so all you need is enough to safely move your boat when your not under sail. We do call them nav motors for a reason.

Four or 5 hp on a 25 foot boat is not enough. If you are battling a 30 mph headwind you need extra power to overcome wind forces on the hull. If you are ever called upon to tow a disabled boat away from a dangerous lee shore or get a sailboat ungrounded you need more than just enough thrust to putt around in calm water. I have encountered all of these situations while operating a power boat and am glad I never had to say "Sorry my engine is too wimpy to help you."

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

Rightside, I had a 17' SailingStar - generic version of the Oday. While It came with a Sears(I think..) motor which was strange, for some reason when started the motor was reversed and you had to flip it around quickly-major PIA. I then went to an electric which was OK but not enough for a windy day. I eventuall used a 2-stroke 2.2 which was just fine for that size boat in all conditions except for heavy chop in Lake George when it was difficult to keep the short shaft in the water-even if it did clear the bottom by a fair margin.
The 4 hp Merc more than does the job on my Mac 21 even without high thrust prop.