I have a C27 with a 2000 Honda 9.9 four stroke. Up until now, the longest period of time I've run the outboard is one hour, running back up the lake when the wind died. I'm thinking of moving the boat to Kentucky Lake this spring, and I'm wondering ... can I run this motor for hours at a time if the wind dies and I'm 20 miles from home, or I just want to do some more extended cruising? Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
using outboard for long periods of time
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Prop Pitch
If your prop pitch is correct there should be no problems. I motored the lenth of KY lake with a old Honda 7.5 4 stroke with no problems. If you are over pitched or grossly underpitched there might be a problem. Overpitched is the worst of the evils.
If your prop pitch is correct there should be no problems. I motored the lenth of KY lake with a old Honda 7.5 4 stroke with no problems. If you are over pitched or grossly underpitched there might be a problem. Overpitched is the worst of the evils.
I take my Honda 100 10hp and run it to Catalina
30 mi. and that is about 6hrs. I find that if I run it with the sails up on even the slightest days I can reach hull speed with the motor running about half speed. Just check your oil, although mine doesn't seem to use any. Frank
30 mi. and that is about 6hrs. I find that if I run it with the sails up on even the slightest days I can reach hull speed with the motor running about half speed. Just check your oil, although mine doesn't seem to use any. Frank
Correct prop pitch is key here.
MoonSailor hit it right on the head. Make sure you have a low pitch prop to match the weight of the boat. Always check the oil level and water flow before you head out as well, but that's automatic isn't it? Plan your fuel consumption - 1/3 to destination, 1/3 return, and 1/3 reserve.
MoonSailor hit it right on the head. Make sure you have a low pitch prop to match the weight of the boat. Always check the oil level and water flow before you head out as well, but that's automatic isn't it? Plan your fuel consumption - 1/3 to destination, 1/3 return, and 1/3 reserve.
Easy
I have motored 40 miles (7 hours) to and from Catalina on rare windless days, with a Honda 9.9 at 34 throttle pushing a 6,000 pound Capri 26 at 4.5 - 5 knots. These motors can run to the end of the earth. If the engine in regularly serviced (every other year or 100 hours. Maybe every year in your weather environment), if there is cooling water, oil pressure and fuel, there is no reason they would stop. Even if it did overheat or lose oil pressure, which is extremely unlikely unless you’ve done something neglectful regarding maintenance, it has sensors that would shut it down anyway. Inspect your owners manual.
I have motored 40 miles (7 hours) to and from Catalina on rare windless days, with a Honda 9.9 at 34 throttle pushing a 6,000 pound Capri 26 at 4.5 - 5 knots. These motors can run to the end of the earth. If the engine in regularly serviced (every other year or 100 hours. Maybe every year in your weather environment), if there is cooling water, oil pressure and fuel, there is no reason they would stop. Even if it did overheat or lose oil pressure, which is extremely unlikely unless you’ve done something neglectful regarding maintenance, it has sensors that would shut it down anyway. Inspect your owners manual.
prop markings
Thank you all for your responses. I've always been in love with my boat. Guess she'll work on Kentucky Lake. I know that "pitch" on a prop refers to the ratio of distance travelled per revolutions, but I don't know what's good or bad for a 8500 pound sailboat. The markings on the prop say 240x220 and 9 1/2 x 8 5/8. Anybody know what they mean or whether it's the right prop? Tom
Thank you all for your responses. I've always been in love with my boat. Guess she'll work on Kentucky Lake. I know that "pitch" on a prop refers to the ratio of distance travelled per revolutions, but I don't know what's good or bad for a 8500 pound sailboat. The markings on the prop say 240x220 and 9 1/2 x 8 5/8. Anybody know what they mean or whether it's the right prop? Tom
You're going to have to do some homework.
From what I can find, your prop numbers indicate a standard factory supplied prop. It has a very deep pitch, far too much for a heavy boat. Every outboard manufacturer recommends a prop that will provide just the right pitch for a heavy boat. That means that you can actually operate your motor at proper speed, and maintain the boat speed without the motor trying to rev and going nowhere. Check your owners manual - it will give you the model number of the propeller best suited for your boat weight.
From what I can find, your prop numbers indicate a standard factory supplied prop. It has a very deep pitch, far too much for a heavy boat. Every outboard manufacturer recommends a prop that will provide just the right pitch for a heavy boat. That means that you can actually operate your motor at proper speed, and maintain the boat speed without the motor trying to rev and going nowhere. Check your owners manual - it will give you the model number of the propeller best suited for your boat weight.
1000 hour rule
no engine will get a US government military certification it can't run 1000 hours straight at full rpm. That said your engine will run for 1000's of hour with proper care (i.e. correct fuel, oil changes as needed, filters, etc, all small stuff) You should be able to run the engine non stop at half to three quarters throttle for more hours then you will be able to stay at the helm. While not exactly the same thing a off shore commercial fishing boat will go weeks on end with out shutting down the engine and I promise you they don't stop the engines on a transatlantic ship crossing until they reach the other side ! Not sure how the prop became an issue but you really need to be propped correctly on any engine if you want it to last. Mfg spec will be best place to get prop size for you boat weight or a good prop shop will be able to run some numbers for you and get the right size. The key is for the engine to be able to run full mfg spec rpm's rather then be constantly overwork with a prop that is not correctly sized. Do some research/get correct prop and you will motor for years and years
no engine will get a US government military certification it can't run 1000 hours straight at full rpm. That said your engine will run for 1000's of hour with proper care (i.e. correct fuel, oil changes as needed, filters, etc, all small stuff) You should be able to run the engine non stop at half to three quarters throttle for more hours then you will be able to stay at the helm. While not exactly the same thing a off shore commercial fishing boat will go weeks on end with out shutting down the engine and I promise you they don't stop the engines on a transatlantic ship crossing until they reach the other side ! Not sure how the prop became an issue but you really need to be propped correctly on any engine if you want it to last. Mfg spec will be best place to get prop size for you boat weight or a good prop shop will be able to run some numbers for you and get the right size. The key is for the engine to be able to run full mfg spec rpm's rather then be constantly overwork with a prop that is not correctly sized. Do some research/get correct prop and you will motor for years and years
All the time
Mine is a Johnson 2-stroke, but I run it from Stockton to SF Bay (75 miles) and SF to Bodega Bay or Monterey (65 mi and 90 mi). It'll run as long as I can carry the gas to run it ---
Mine is a Johnson 2-stroke, but I run it from Stockton to SF Bay (75 miles) and SF to Bodega Bay or Monterey (65 mi and 90 mi). It'll run as long as I can carry the gas to run it ---
RPM
When they talk prop pitch, it has all to do with the rpms of the motor. You need a tach while running you boat to see if you are in proper rpm window for you motor. If not, you need a differant prop. Brian
When they talk prop pitch, it has all to do with the rpms of the motor. You need a tach while running you boat to see if you are in proper rpm window for you motor. If not, you need a differant prop. Brian
Honda? The Toughest Around
Hey Tom, The Honda four strokes are some of the toughest engines around. In fact at the city dock at St. Augustine a Catalina 27 owner has a 7.5 Honda that has the engine cover painted white and stenciled on it is, "MAYTAG"! I owned two of these engines (1980-1984 models)and they were the most dependable outboards I have ever operated. With that, I would not be reluctant to run a Honda full blast from Miami to Maine! These engines need to be run and perhaps it would be wise to leave the sails down one day and run around under power for the day to get the cobwebs out. Bob
Hey Tom, The Honda four strokes are some of the toughest engines around. In fact at the city dock at St. Augustine a Catalina 27 owner has a 7.5 Honda that has the engine cover painted white and stenciled on it is, "MAYTAG"! I owned two of these engines (1980-1984 models)and they were the most dependable outboards I have ever operated. With that, I would not be reluctant to run a Honda full blast from Miami to Maine! These engines need to be run and perhaps it would be wise to leave the sails down one day and run around under power for the day to get the cobwebs out. Bob
Brian Right about Tachometer
My little Tohatsu 2 cycle's owner's manual recommends that you mount the engine on your boat and then use a prop that allows the engine to reach a certain RPM . I repitched the prop on my diesel pwered sailboat because the engine could not reach the Max rpm's. This made the engine run cooler. I read on this message board about a guy who ruined an outboard while trying to tow a sailboat with his dinghy.
My little Tohatsu 2 cycle's owner's manual recommends that you mount the engine on your boat and then use a prop that allows the engine to reach a certain RPM . I repitched the prop on my diesel pwered sailboat because the engine could not reach the Max rpm's. This made the engine run cooler. I read on this message board about a guy who ruined an outboard while trying to tow a sailboat with his dinghy.
I talked with the Honda dealer today ...
The prop on the motor is a factory standard 3-bladed prop designed more to power a dinghy or small fishing boat. Should not have happened since the motor was purchased by the previous owner from a sailboat specific dealer. Anyway, the manual recommended a 4-bladed prop with a lower pitch, which I have ordered. Thanks again to all who weighed in on my problem. Tom
The prop on the motor is a factory standard 3-bladed prop designed more to power a dinghy or small fishing boat. Should not have happened since the motor was purchased by the previous owner from a sailboat specific dealer. Anyway, the manual recommended a 4-bladed prop with a lower pitch, which I have ordered. Thanks again to all who weighed in on my problem. Tom
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