Outboard Size

[Don C L]

Yamaha discontinued the T8. Only have the 9.9 now, but that has a good rep too. That's the one I was figuring on getting when mine dies:

[ElCapt Drew]

I have a friend that had a very similar boat.

Originally he had an 18hp on it. Cruised at 5.5kts, plenty of power, but it was loud. Then, he got a an 8hp in a deal and decided to try it. It cruised at 4.5kts, was very quiet and burned about 1/4 of the fuel.

Point is, don't go overboard on the size. 9.9 should be plenty.

[ClassicalBGP]

Im not finding a lot used that has "high thrust" listed. Anyway to tell buy photos? Or a website to buy from (new or used)?

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by ClassicalBGP

Im not finding a lot used that has "high thrust" listed. Anyway to tell buy photos? Or a website to buy from (new or used)?

You really don't need high thrust especially if you know how to sail.

My boat is a Bristol 27 at 6600# and I have a Mercury 5hp four stroke 25" shaft as my main engine. My engine has the standard prop

It works great but if it needs help I use the sails

I just noticed you are in Arizona! Nice. I loved living in Yuma for a few years

I'm on the Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Atlantic. You'll be fine with a normal prop and 5-6 hp outboard

I routinely cross the 20 miles of open water here with the 5 hp if necessary

[smj]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You really don't need high thrust especially if you know how to sail.

My boat is a Bristol 27 at 6600# and I have a Mercury 5hp four stroke 25" shaft as my main engine. My engine has the standard prop

It works great but if it needs help I use the sails

I just noticed you are in Arizona! Nice. I loved living in Yuma for a few years

I'm on the Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Atlantic. You'll be fine with a normal prop and 5-6 hp outboard

I routinely cross the 20 miles of open water here with the 5 hp if necessary

I can't see how the ability to sail would influence someone's choice when looking for an appropriate power choice. Yes, a standard outboard will push a displacement sailboat, but no, it won't push it nearly as well as a high thrust outboard that was actually designed for that purpose.

[Cheechako]

The high thrust models are great for what you want, but if it's doubling as a dingy motor, you may have to compromise.


I am not convinced more thrust will help a huge amount in a chop though, the engine will be dancing up and down, in and out. The weight will be a lot on the stern of a 24 ft boat.
What you need in that is to keep the sails up and control the boat. 6HP will more than get you to hull speed in reasonable water.

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by ClassicalBGP

Im not finding a lot used that has "high thrust" listed. Anyway to tell buy photos? Or a website to buy from (new or used)?

Not often do I see any used. They have a big prop and multi blades often. Special design.

[Snowpetrel]

Had a 26 foot 3 tonne folkboat type, with a tohatsu 3.5hp short shaft. It was marginal punching into stronger winds (over 20-25 kn) but pushed her fine the rest of the time. The biggest problem was the short shaft length. Kept cavitating in any seaway or swell. And it would come clear of the water if motorsailing due to the offset mount.

I'd have been very happy with a long shaft 5 hp, so I think an 8 or 9.9 would be more than enough power if it is well positioned and long shaft.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Jim Cate]

If you end up with a non- high thrust motor, you can always buy a different prop for it. One with a bit more diameter and less pitch, or a four blade (SOLAS props make a good selection of such) will make a big difference in available thrust.

We've done this for a big, heavy inflatable carrying four crew and it helped a lot... should help for a displacement sailboat too.

Jim

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by smj

I can't see how the ability to sail would influence someone's choice when looking for an appropriate power choice.

You use your sails to help the engine push the boat if necessary especially if you have an outboard.

My first 4 sailboats didn't have engines so using the sails comes natural to me

Btw, I rarely run my outboard over half throttle because it really doesn't help with speed above that anyway

[smj]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You use your sails to help the engine push the boat if necessary especially if you have an outboard.

My first 4 sailboats didn't have engines so using the sails comes natural to me

Btw, I rarely run my outboard over half throttle because it really doesn't help with speed above that anyway

I like to have an outboard that's able to do the job without sails if needed. Sounds as if you have the right outboard to meet your needs.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[ClassicalBGP]

Originally Posted by thomm225

You really don't need high thrust especially if you know how to sail.

My boat is a Bristol 27 at 6600# and I have a Mercury 5hp four stroke 25" shaft as my main engine. My engine has the standard prop

It works great but if it needs help I use the sails

I just noticed you are in Arizona! Nice. I loved living in Yuma for a few years

I'm on the Chesapeake Bay where it meets the Atlantic. You'll be fine with a normal prop and 5-6 hp outboard

I routinely cross the 20 miles of open water here with the 5 hp if necessary

I really love AZ, save for the lack of ocean front property.

Yet, my sailing skill are admittedly lacking. I hope to change that. I want to be safe and have fun. So this summer when I trailer my boat to the coast, if I find myself (and family) in a situation where the weather is moving in, I would like to be able to reach safety.

I'm look to you good people to help guide me. Which to date you have. Thank you.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by ClassicalBGP

I really love AZ, save for the lack of ocean front property.

Yet, my sailing skill are admittedly lacking. I hope to change that. I want to be safe and have fun. So this summer when I trailer my boat to the coast, if I find myself (and family) in a situation where the weather is moving in, I would like to be able to reach safety.

I'm look to you good people to help guide me. Which to date you have. Thank you.

I learned sailing on inland lakes.

If you are taking the whole family you might want to improve your sailing and boating skills on a nearby lake then head to the coast a bit later

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by smj

I like to have an outboard that's able to do the job without sails if needed. Sounds as if you have the right outboard to meet your needs.


Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

The outboard is fine most of the time.

Funny thing is the old diesel that came with the boat (a 352 lb 10 hp Bukh) did about as well as the outboard

The outboard though doesn't leak diesel fuel and oil and doesn't smell.

Sailing all those years without an engine was nice in that there was no bad smell or any type of grease or fuel to deal with

On the other hand, it is nice to be able to come in when 20 miles out under power

[rwidman]

I'll bet that if you go to an outboard motor dealer, they would be happy to suggest the best motor for your boat.