repowering my Hunter 26

[Steve Tabor]

I am getting ready to buy a new outboard for my 1994 Hunter 26. The Suzuki 4-stroke 9.9, 15 & 20 all weigh the same. I want enough power in case of an emergency. Money is no problem. Can the Hunter 26 take the 20hp or is this a waste?

 

[Chief RA]

Steve: hopefully you will get Crazy Dave to advise you. There is no way I would opt for a 20hp motor to use on a 26' sailboat! I suggest 10hp. Remember, bigger is not always better! Your boat is still 26'. Chief

 

[JoeWhite]

I used 9.9 HP 4 stroke on my 25.5 Hunter. I had to replace the engine mount since the 2 stroke engine that it had was 1/2 the weight.
25

 

[MaxinCalgary]

Had a Nissan 18HP that came with the boat . It got stolen. Replaced it with a Yamaha T 9.9 XL shaft. Twice the low speed grunt and has reverse. Last year towed a speedboat in, something that would have not been possible with my old outboard.
By an outboard designed for the job. A tractor not a race car.

 

[Rick Webb]

8 HP is Plenty

You gain nothing going over 9.9HP.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

steve;

Chief asked me to put in my two cents worth and sold nearly 20-25% of the entire H26 production line.

First the transom is only rated for up to 10 hp. Going with anything larger, you may seriously damage the transom. I would opt for an electric start with long shaft

The 9.9 is all the power you will need and do not let anyone else tell you otherwise.
Even at full power, you will be plowing. This is when the bow of the boat will raise up as it is hitting a wall of water slowing the boat down. Remember this is a displacement hull and not a planning hull. You will have to depower to get the bow down and at that point you have reached max speed under power.

I hope this answers your question. Chief, thank you sir for the heads up.

 

[Ward H]

If money is not object, consider power tilt. Best option I spent money on when I bought my Yammy T9.9.

And I never go above 1/2 throttle on my O'day 25 with the 9.9. Plenty of reserve power.