Re-powering My H23

[LI_Chuck]

Folks,Well, it happened, My 1988 Nissan 8HP 2 stroke seized and I need to consider re-powering my H23. After reading the archives, My choices are:a) Replace with another 2 stroke 8 HP (not likely since only 4 st.'s are available)b) Replace with a 6 HP 4 stroke (less power, uses less gas, lighter on the stern, cheaper)c) Replace with an 8 HP Nissan/Tohatsu/Yamaha ( uses more gas( but not as much as a 2 st.), more power, heaver on the stearn, more expensive)My perspective is that:1) For 16 years of owning the boat, I have never run my Nissan full throttle, even in rough weather and I could get full hull speed.2) The 6 HP would certainly push to hull speed on a calm/moderate wind day and through the currents of LI sound (hull speed is hull speed current or not).3) The only time I can see I'd need the 8 HP is on an unusually stormy sea greater that I've ever seen.So the trade-off seems to be the the heavier, more expensive 8 HP for very few occasions or the less expensive 6 HP. The other possible advantage to the 8 HP is that It would last longer because I never run it at a high throttle.What experiances have you folks had? any other points I should consider?Thanks/ChuckS/V Windsongs 85 H23

 

[KennyH]

You might want to look at Evenrude.

I think the 6hp would work fine for you. Evinrude has the new ecotec engines that are two cycle, clean and very fuel efficient. So far I think the smallest they make in this line is around 20hp but they do have plans to make these in the smaller sizes. I hope my current 9.9 Evinrude last until they have these new engines. Its a 80 model and still going strong. Just returned from a 21 day cruise down the waterways and sounds in North Carolina. I have not heard much positive about the small 4 cycle engines. They are heavy and the oil changes are somewhat of a problem. I guess it depends on the brand so find someone who has had one for awhile.

 

[Benny]

A 6 HP will be fine, I think Tohatsu/Nissan and

Mercury are the same. Get a long shaft engine and flush it after every use. Get a lifting motor mount and tilt engine to get it out of the water. Those engines are enginneered to run at close to full throtle so you would not be doing any harm and it is probably best than running it at half throtle. The performance of a 4 stroke and a 2 stroke are not comparable by horsepower. The 2 stroke will rev quicker and higher than the four stroke for better acceleration; The 4 stroke will rev slower but with more torque. The 4ST will be quieter, more fuel efficient and its operation will be less figdety. The LI sound has strong currents so the 6HP may be a little pressed to to push the 23' boat against the current but I think it will do fine overall.

 

[Mike Howell]

Outboard ramblings

Chuck,Tohatsu makes ALL Nissan and small (<30hp?) Mercury outboards. I used to have a 5hp 2str Nissan on the back of my 87 H23. The currents here can reach 3knots between the barrier Islands. The 5 hp worked great. I always had ‘enough’ power. The Tohatsu 4,5, & 6 are the same motor, the carb is different, giving different hp. The 6 hp should be fine (and be the same weight as the 4 hp!!!). All 3 outboards are single cylinder engines. Now I have an 8hp (2str) on my 93 H23.5. I have never ‘opened her up’. Usually I’m at ½ throttle. I bought my 88 Precision 21 from a guy in CT. He used a 6hp on LI Sound. He said it was a lot more motor than the P21 needed. I realize the H23 is heavier than the P21, but I think the 6hp would have enough, even on LI Sound. I have no idea what part of LI Sound he sailed in. He lived near Danbury. When the 6hp Johnson died, I replaced it with a Nissan 5hp, 4stroke, 1 cylinder outboard. It was quieter but didn’t seem to run as smoothly as the 6hp 2 cylinder motor.The Tohatsu 4, 5, & 6 hp outboards are all SINGLE cylinder engines. A 2 cylinder motor has less vibration than a single cylinder.When it comes time for ME to replace MY 8hp (2str), even though the 6 hp would be plenty of power, I plan to get another 8hp (4str, 2 cyl), NOT because of the HP but because of the electric start, the alternator, and 2 cylinders. Of course the 6hp would be cheaper and lighter!Check out www.onlineoutboards.com Disclaimer: I have no connection with Onlineoutboards. I just found them on the net one day. Your mileage may vary.Good luck,Mike