What size motor?
- Thread starter Dug22
- Start date
According to SBO data, Catalina recommends 3-6 HP
https://catalina.sailboatowners.com/resources/index.php?task=model&mid=107
https://catalina.sailboatowners.com/resources/index.php?task=model&mid=107
It all depends on where you are and how you use your boat. On SF Bay we had a 7.5 hp Merc 2 stroke in the 80s. If you're on a lake and use it just to get into and out of your slip, a much smaller one would do just fine. Anything bigger than a 7.5 2 stroke IN WEIGHT may be pushing the limit of your outboard bracket, and would not do good things to your transom.
Our Mac 26s had a 5HP when we bought it, but my wife wanted something bigger in case we had to fight a windstorm back to the slip. We're on a reservoir. Make sure you get a long shaft.
5HP 4 stroke Honda -- all day every day against a constant 4 knot current..... can't imagine more-- seemingly too much weight or fuel consumption relative to hull speed. Sadly I haven't committed to electronics yet, I have no clue how many KN I'm making. My biggest concern is making headway against the Columbia-- no issue.
On the Tohatsu. It seems to be the universal recommendation, and I'll add mine to that chorus. Quiet, runs on less than 1/2 gallon/hour, starts every time, and it's easy to flush out (even in our slip). Ours is the 25" 'Ultra Long' shaft version, but a 20" would be fine too (we went down from a Honda 7.5, primarily to save ~30 lbs of weight and my aging back). My understanding is that small Mercury and Nissan outboards are built by Tohatsu as well, so their 6HP models are pretty much identical. The Tohatsu 'SailPro' models add a high-thrust prop and an alternator to charge your batteries.
My boat had a 6HP 2 stroke for years and when I got it and I changed to a 3.5 hp 4 stroke. I seldom need that much power on the small lakes I typically sail. For rougher lakes I would go to a 4.5 to 6 hp with a long shaft to handle bigger waves. If you remove the engine, the 3.5 hp Tohatsu-Mercury long shaft is the lightest engine you can use without having to add weight to meet the 45 lb requirement to be class legal. note this engine does not have a reverse!!!!
Depends on the job; for a small lake a 4-6HP, for the sea a 6-8HP and for a fast moving river an 8-10HP. These suggestions are to provide power on the high side for the anticipated conditions. Be mindful that the larger engines may require an upgrade to the motor mount to be able to handle the added weight.