What Size Outboard ?

[North23]

Hi, I have a 1976 North American 23' with a 1983 7.5 HP Johnson Sailmaster 2 stroke outboard. The boat empty weighs about 2300 lbs. I am ready to replace the outboard because it has left me stranded twice. All new motors I have seen recently are 4 strokes. I don't know what size outboard I need. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[FSMike]

North23 -
Anywhere from 5hp to 10 hp ought to do you. Calm water, 5hp. Current or wind & chop 71/2 to 10 hp. I would use the lightest weight I could get away with.

[RedBellies]

The new Yamaha 4cy are really light and you can get a 6hp HO with a humongous prop that my mech claims is equivalent thrust to a 9.9. Your mileage may vary, he may be trying to sell me a motor. But the props are comparatively huge.

OTOH I motored the heaviest, ugliest sailboat ever made, a Bayliner Buccaneer 24, about 8 miles down the bay last month with a Yamaha 2.5 and we made 5kts in light chop, used 2 liters of gas. Being a minimalist I'll go small.

[tager]

4hp would be plenty for that boat with the right prop.

[forsailbyowner]

I had a Yamaha four stroke 9.9 high thrust long shaft on a 23' aquarius sloop and loved it. I bought it used then ran it for 10 yrs and sold the boat with it running. Never used any oil. The WG9 powerhead is like the chevy 350. They started building them in the early 80s and still were in production in 20xx. Bulletproof.

[Caribsailors]

The Yamaha 9.9 is really a 10HP but relabeled for the Canadian market. So I was told. As any vessel under 9.9HP need not to be registered.

I had one on my O'Day 25 and it never failed me, and has not failed the present owner after 10 years.

I like the Yami's ! A little lighter also, remember who has to hump things around.

Cheers

[tager]

Seriously a 9.9 is total overkill for a one ton boat. I had a 2hp on a Balboa 22 and it was plenty of power.

[cal40john]

We had a 4 hp on our club's Caravelle Bristol 22, 2800 lbs displacement. That seemed to be plenty of power.

John

[RayW]

300hp Yamaha HPDI 2 stroke!!!! you could scoop up the oil in the gulf, burn it at 75 mph and be a hero all at the same time!!!!! Oh, wait... nevermind, thats the rum talking. . . . . again. . . . Don't you hate it when that happens? Happy monday!

[North23]

Thanks for all the information. I really appreciate the advice.