Using a Mercury 15 on a 22 Oday

Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
I have an opportunity to get a long shaft 2005 Mercury 15 ( 2 cycle) for a very good price. Someone told me that this motor is basically the same size and weight as a 9.9 hp Mercury with I think a different carburetor or something. If that is true can I think of it as a 9.9 as far as determining if this is too much motor? I would actually like to get something smaller but I hate to pass this up because of the low price. I have heard folks say that it is overkill for even a 9.9 because of the displacement hull speed. I understand from the literature on the Oday 22that it is rated up to 15 hp (two cycle I believe due to the added torque of the 4 cycle). I guess my question is if I am just being stupid to put a 15 on the Oday 22 or not? Thanks so much for any help.
 
Oct 19, 2009
97
oday 22 Lake New Melones
As long as the weight of the outboard is not excessive it should be ok. You don't have to use full throttle.:D

I have a Sailmaster 8 that weighs about 70 lbs. I don't think I would want more than that hanging off one side of the transom. Even tilted up I think it affects the balance of the boat when sailing.

Power wise the 8 has plenty and will move the boat 6.5-7 kts at 3/4 throttle. I have some extra plywood backing for the motor mount inside the transom and still see quite a bit of flex from the torque. Be careful with that extra power!

The transom is essentially 1/4 inch of fiberglass with backing as needed. It is not built up like motor boat.

All that said, if I needed an outboard and the price was right I would go for it. You could always sell it later.
 
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
I can't imagine the need for 15 hp. On the other hand, it is probably the same as the 9.9 weight-wise. Same 2 cylinder powerhead, just the addition of a bigger carb. That's how they tend to do it.

2-strokes tend to go forever, unless the piston rings wear or a reed valve breaks and scores the cylinder. But they aren't as fuel efficient as a 4-stroke. Or as quiet.

High thrust props can work wonders on smaller motors.

No answer to your "Should I buy this fabulous deal motor?" question, but things to consider.
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
Thanks very much for the replies. I know it's not the "perfect" motor for me. I would actually like to have something I could charge my battery with for running lights etc. I would also probably be very happy with an 8 hp or something. This long shaft Mercury 15 has only been used twice. It's under $800.00. I have been looking around and even the smaller outboards are really expensive and none that I have seen offer charging capabilities. I agree that I don't have to run this wide open and even if I did I think all I would be doing is wasting gas due to the hull speed. It's still a lot of money and I'm trying not to screw up here. Since the boat is rated for up to 15 hp I assume I'm not screwing up but so bad. Thanks again for your replies.
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,944
Oday Day Sailer Wareham, MA
I think the 2005 Mercury 9.9 and 15 were the same engine, just perhaps a different carburator and tuning (at least that was how Johnson/Evinrude were). Many of the newer (4-stroke) outboards are different, the 9.9 is often the same as the 8 hp and the 15 is often a de-tuned 20 ( I know Honda is that way, and new Mercs/Suzuki/etc the 15 is much heavier than the 9.9).
As far as I can see, (based on 2003 brochure, should be same for 2005 2-stroke) the 9.9 and 15 were the same 77# engine.

I'd say that 15hp is "overkill" for a 22, but as other have said.....and I agree, you don't have to use full-throttle. Plus, if you really want to hear about overkill, I talked to a DS II owner once who was using a 15 since that happened to be what he had.......!

The only concern (well ,other than the above mentioned transom strength) I'd have is why is this motor being offered at such a good price? If it is because the seller just doesn't need it aymore and wants to sell it...it good be a great deal! If it is because it needs a simple fix-it repair to be a GREAT motor, it may be a good one to buy and make that fix while looking for a smaller motor, then sell the 15 (for more than you paid?) when you find a suitable smaller motor. I'd risk it.... but I like to tinker with outboards.
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
That is the case Sunbird. The motor is in excellent condition he just doesn't need it any more. I have known the owner 30 years and he is beyond reproach. I have no qualms about the quality of the motor but simply the size. It's raining here today so it may be a good time to crawl up in the boat and check out the inside of the motor mount. Thanks for the information.
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
Well I took all your advice to heart and did not buy the Mercury. I went to Gloucester Point last night and bought an 8hp Honda 4 stroke instead. Now I'm a little concerned about the motor mount. It seems like a very substantial Garelick SS mount but the labels are gone from it and I can't tell which model it is. Garelick suggests a heavier mount for the 4 stroke motor but this one might be rated for a fairly large 2 stroke so it may be fine. Any suggestions? Thanks.
 

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Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,786
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Can you identify it by comparing to pictures on the Garelick site?
Looking at the picture, it looks like the spacer between the wedge and bracket is an adapter to allow the wider bracket to be bolted to that and that adapter is bolted to the wedge. While the bracket most probably would handle the weight and torque, the narrower wedge would probably be the weak point since the wedge's footprint to the transom is much smaller. Building a wider wedge might be a worthwhile winter project.
 
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Meh. I see Ward's comments, and they are valid. And I see what he's saying. It looks like there is definitely a homegrown wood adaptor between the motor mount, and the original fiberglass wedge which would have accommodated the narrower 2 stroke mount that the boat shipped with.

From what I can see, it looks like the homegrown wood spacer is beefy, with a 2x8 blocked out on a 4x4. I don't know that I would worry much about it, other than it looks kinda ugly. I'd be inclined to make a new wedge to replace the adaptor and the fiberglass wedge, but, as Ward says, is wide enough to mount the motor. Proper backing inside the transom would be key here as well. That is, if the PO's adaptor looked wobbly or was particularly annoyingly ugly to me… :D:D:D

That SS Garelick motor mount, with it's wider spacing, should be plenty strong to resist the dreaded 4 stroke torque. Personally, I think the lifting handle on the Garelick is woefully poorly engineered. Garhauer makes a far nicer mount, with a much nicer lifting handle. Sage Marine uses them on the Sage 17. I haven't found it in the Garhauer on-line catalog, but I hear Garhauer is a very easy company to deal with, so I'd contact them directly next time I need a new bracket.

For the record, I have a 5hp 4 stroke on my boat, using the original aluminum 2 stroke bracket. I see no evidence I should worry about the torque from my motor, and I also put a high thrust prop on it. In my experience with my setup, that whole 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke torque thing is a myth. On the other hand, 4 stroke engines are heavier than 2 stroke, so I tend to believe that's a factor more than anything. Considering most of us are using smaller motors than the max the boats are rated for, most of us are well within force parameters.

That being said, I don't drive down the road with the motor on my bracket, and yes, the bracket does seem to have more side to side play in the system than I'd like to see. I'll have to suck it up and replace it at some point….
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
Thanks again for sharing your knowledge with me. I also think the wedge is pretty ugly and just doesn't look right somehow. It does have a lot of side to side movement but most of that is in the motor mount itself. There's a lot going on in that mount and I can see where there has to be some movement because of all the joints and pivot points. I took the old wedge off today and I'm going to completely rebuild it. I think I will laminate it up with exterior plywood and then fiberglass over that. I will make it much wider where the wedge meets the transom and double up on the stainless steel bolts and backing plate. I think the Garelick mount is strong enough but I'm not happy with the wonky wedge. I'll post a picture when it's done. Thanks again for all your help.
 
Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
You made the right decision to not buy the 15hp as $800 is too much for a 2 stroke anyway. Chief
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
There are some areas on the transom that look like the gel coat has been beat up over the years. Some spots around the rudder brackets and near where the motor mount wedge was. These are not cracks but rather pitting and they look to be cosmetic only. I want to paint the transom since I am replacing the wedge and I am looking for some advice on what to use to smooth the surface before I paint it. The pitting does not extend down into the fiberglass matt. For lack of a better description I would say they are about as deep as a match book cover. I could almost sand them out but they seem to be a little too deep to do that. If it was a car I would use Bondo or something like that applied with a putty knife and then sanded smooth. I'm not sure if that would hold up to the elements however. I've got a box of something called marine-tex but I've never used it. Does anyone have any experience with this? The sales blurb on the box says "Handles like putty, hardens like steel, sands like wood". If I believe all that it might work okay.
 
Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
I have used Bondo but that Marine-tex sounds like it is epoxy designed for marine use. Go for it! I would just spray the affected area with epoxy paint but I am sure others will suggest more painting approaches. Chief
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
Chief, when you say you would spray with epoxy paint do you mean two part epoxy or is there something available in one part that would be called epoxy paint? The entire transom needs to be painted. The rest of the boat is in excellent shape as far as paint goes but for some reason the transom is kind of funky. I was thinking of getting some kind of automotive enamel or something of that quality and trying that. Since the entire transom needs to be painted, if I got a color that was close to the hull it would look okay. The transom could even be a darker blue to compliment the rest of the paint job and I don't think it would be ugly even if it didn't match the rest of the hull. My current plan is to smooth the gel coat a bit with this marine-tex then paint and install the new engine mount wedge. I hadn't thought far enough ahead as to what type of paint would be recommended.
 
Nov 26, 2012
2,315
Catalina 250 Bodega Bay CA
Contrast paint sounds cool! That way you won't have to match the hull. I was just referring to one part epoxy spray can paint that you can buy almost anywhere. I thought you wanted to only spray a small area, if you intend to do the entire transom you might want to go with a resin type marine paint and just roll it on, or spray. Check various paints out at West Marine online for types, cost,etc. Chief
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,944
Oday Day Sailer Wareham, MA
Don't laugh, but I remember reading in the old "BOATWORKS" Magazine that SAIL Magazine used to publish about a guy who repainted his 24' Bristol sailboat using Krylon spray paint. He started out just doing the transom after some repairs, liked it so much that he then did the deck (2-tone), and the next year ended up doing the topsides. Unfortunately the magazine stopped publishing before any long-term results could be published, but he was pretty pleased with the results! I forget how many cans he used, must have taken several!

KRYLON spray paints are an Acrylic formula if I recall, are suitable for most if not all types of surfaces (not sure I'd use them on non-skid areas), you won't get an Awlgrip like durability and finish...... but it won't cost an Awlgrip price either!

I painted an epoxy-coated floorboard for my boat using Krylon once, it seemed pretty durable even on that piece that gets pretty wet in the cockpit. Worth trying again.
 
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Back in my 20's, my buddy bought an early 70's avocado colored AMF aluminum runabout. We did stupid things to it, like hang a 120hp Merc in-line 6 cylinder 2 stroke outboard on it with a 1/2" aluminum plate for additional support across the transom. Since the chines were curved, it wasn't the fastest boat because it would kinda sit in the water. But we skiied the heck out of it. We also had some rather harrowing adventures where it would continually blow fuses and kill the running lights and motor starter. So, eventually, he tore out the interior, and re-wired the whole thing.

While doing that, he changed the avocado and cream color scheme to a nice blue and white color scheme, using rattle can auto touch up paint enamel. Even though he did it outside (of course) there was no breeze, and I'm sure he lost quite a few brain cells from the spray paint. It held up pretty well for a season or two, until he bought a new boat. I forget what happened to the AMF…

When I repaired the mast step on my Harpoon 4.6, I discovered that Rustoleum Almond color is almost a direct match for the sand colored gelcoat inside the cockpit. I just painted over the epoxy and fiberglass work with that paint. Then I dinged it when I lowered the mast without a crutch, and the vang bail dug into the paint behind the tabernacle hinge. Doh! Still haven't repainted that… :D
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
Good morning guys. Well I'll let you know how things work out. Might take some pictures of my new wedge today if you are interested at all. It's still in the process of being glued up. After looking at the price of marine paints I decided to put function before form on this one and bought two rattle cans of "sail boat blue" (no kidding) Rustoleum. Thanks for all your help.
 
Oct 21, 2014
190
Oday 22 Richmond
I took a few pictures this morning to show the progress of my new wedge. As I stated before the original (well not really original because the original was a pipe) wedge was in my opinion not nearly strong enough for that 8 hp 4 stroke Honda. As you can see I pulled off the old wedge and filled the holes with epoxy. I glued up a 12" X 12" block of exterior plywood which is still in the vise. I will band saw out the wedge tonight. I bought that stainless steel all thread from McMaster because I didn't want to have to concern myself with buying the perfect length bolts. I'll just bolt it all up and saw off what I don't need. I think (8) 3/8" bolts will be plenty especially since the mount is going to go from 4" wide to 12" wide with a 12" by 12" backing plate. You may be able to see the rough gelcoat I am dealing with. I'm going to putty it up with the marine-tex, sand it down and shoot it with the rattle cans. If I have to repaint it I'll just buy a couple more cans, light sand it and shoot it again. It's just the transom so no big deal since it's only about a square yard of area.
 

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