I have a 1986 Hunter sloop and it came with a 1986 Yahama 15 hp with a 15" shaft....mounted on a rigid bracket on the stern.....I don't believe the prop and water intake will reach the water properly.......is there any way that I can make this motor work on this sailboat......my thought is to have the motor bracket replaced by a spring loaded bracket...mounted so as to be in the proper position....in the water etc....and realize that it may be uncomfortable to reach/work the tiller handle etc....?...Dan
Short Shaft outboard on sailboat
- Thread starter boevi8
- Start date
Check on a fixed motor mount first that will drop the motor low enough on your transom. Next look for an adjustable one if a fixed one will not work. Realize that with a mount your access will improve as you lower it because it is mounted furthur aft. This stuff is just measure, analyze, measure! Chief
BTW
Check on the year and model of boat, the 23.5 was not available in 1986.
That could change some of the options available to you to resolve your issue.
I believe extending the shaft is the best way to go either way if there is a kit available for your motor.
Check on the year and model of boat, the 23.5 was not available in 1986.
That could change some of the options available to you to resolve your issue.
I believe extending the shaft is the best way to go either way if there is a kit available for your motor.
Just Reread the Post
Without the blurry eyes of last night.
15 HP? take it off and trade it for a 20" 6HP motor. 15 is toooo much motor; too much weight, too much torque, too much power. 8HP would be more than enough, 6HP would be great, 4HP would probably be adequate.
15HP is going to hurt your boat.
Without the blurry eyes of last night.
15 HP? take it off and trade it for a 20" 6HP motor. 15 is toooo much motor; too much weight, too much torque, too much power. 8HP would be more than enough, 6HP would be great, 4HP would probably be adequate.
15HP is going to hurt your boat.
Check the weight of the engine; is it a 2 stroke or 4 stroke? Some of the 15HP engines were based on the 10HP blocks not really adding that much weight. The main drawback may be that they do use more fuel without really adding performance to the hull. Engine weight being the predominant factor I would say not exceed 75 lbs for a boat that size. Make sure the spring loaded bracket is rated for the weight it is to carry. A short shaft may tend to place the propeller out of the water in rough seas but may be quite adequate for use in lakes.
Rick brings up an important point that has not yet been resolved. HUNTER did not make a 23.5 in 1986, so I am assuming the boat in question is actually a HUNTER 23. The 23.5, if I remember correctly, did not use a motor mount. The transom was cut down to to accept an outboard, and I believe a short shaft was functional. Regardless, the boat in question here, if indeed a H-23 would require a long shaft. While 4 hp would be adequate for lake sailing, most 4s don't have reverse - inconvenient. 6 or 8 works well, has reverse, and - with the 8 - electric start and charging.
I will chime in boevi8. I know the lake/boat/engine. Your boat is a wing keel hunter 23, not the water ballast 23.5 which I introduced internationally for Hunter on 8/15/1992. The fixed mount that you refer to will not work with a 15 inch shaft. To those who tell me to relocate the mount or even get one that is adjustable does pose many problems and the one which is difficult is trying to reach over so far to mess with that engine as the mount would be too low.
The 20 inch shaft works and for that lake you will be fine as you do not have large waves to worry about and if that lake is low I suggest that you stay out of the area closest to I-85 as it is shallow and the reason is due to drought being a major resivour for Raleigh, NC.
I doubt that parts are available for your 1986 engine if you want to lengthen the lower shaft plus the 15 hp is too much power on the back of the transom which is rated only for
10 hp which will cause the transom to be pushed inward at full power. No need for anything over 8 hp for that boat.
I was the top dealer for the 23 wing keel and my dealership before retirement was near Raleigh.
crazy dave condon
The 20 inch shaft works and for that lake you will be fine as you do not have large waves to worry about and if that lake is low I suggest that you stay out of the area closest to I-85 as it is shallow and the reason is due to drought being a major resivour for Raleigh, NC.
I doubt that parts are available for your 1986 engine if you want to lengthen the lower shaft plus the 15 hp is too much power on the back of the transom which is rated only for
10 hp which will cause the transom to be pushed inward at full power. No need for anything over 8 hp for that boat.
I was the top dealer for the 23 wing keel and my dealership before retirement was near Raleigh.
crazy dave condon
I have a '91 H23, that came with a Honda 8HP and an articulating mount (swings up and down). It is the longer shaft model. I agree that a 15 would seem way too overpowered and can't imagine its weight. If I were to have to buy a new motor I'd probably go for a 6, as the 8 seems more than enough, and on my lake I also don't have to deal with currents, big waves, etc.