Recommended Outboard size?

[navillusdm]

I just purchased my first sailboat, a 22' 1972 South Coast Seacraft, in great condition. Have an andjustable outboard bracket in the back and wondering which size outboard motor I should purchase (and expect what kind of speed with the motor?) Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Ex-Calif]

Nissan or tohatsu 3.5 hp.

[Chief Engineer]

Theoretical hull speed 1.34 times the square root of the WATERLINE length

Probably six knots...give or take a tenth

[s/v 'Faith']

I agree 3 to 4 hp will be more then enough for this boat.

Many folks overestimate the hp required to move a sailboat, some even argue that more hp to 'buck a current' is good... Problem is that hull speed is hull speed... if you are bucking a 2 knot current with a 5 knot hull speed.. you are not going to go much over 3 knots.

I see lots of overpowerd boats dragging their stern for the extra weight..

[SkiprJohn]

I agree with the recommendations. Get a light weight outboard up to 5hp. I had a 6hp Johnson on a Catalina 22 and it was way more than enough.
Kind regards,
JohnL

[Steve Rust]

I had a 3.5 hp for the first few years on my 2000lb Sirius 22. It proved to be adequate but I was always Tail End Charlie when I would cruise in company with friends with larger motors. We covered large portions of the Great Lakes and sometimes motored long distances. I eventually replaced it with a older 7.5 mainly for the reason that the 3.5 was an unreliable piece of crap though it was new. The 7.5 is more than enough so I would go with 5-6 hp if you sometimes have to motor longer distance. If you are just daysailing and need to get in an out of the marina a 3.5 would be fine.

[Hud3]

I think I'd go with a 5 hp. I had an ODay 222 with a 6 hp, which was more than adequate. The recommendations for 3.5-4 hp are probably good for most conditions, but I you're caught out in a blow and trying to make way against strong winds, you'll appreciate a little extra oomph.

[donradcliffe]

While heavier, it would be better to use about a 5 hp with a reverse gear--some of the 3.5 hp engines only have neutral and forward.

[navillusdm]

Thank you all so much for your help. All information is greatly appriciated!

[Steve Rust]

Originally Posted by donradcliffe

While heavier, it would be better to use about a 5 hp with a reverse gear--some of the 3.5 hp engines only have neutral and forward.

Good advice. My 3.5 was like that. It was a PITA. A few times the prop had a "disagreement" with the rudder when I had to swing it around to get reverse.