Size of outboard motor needed

[michaelrene]

I just picked up a free sailboat!!! 1979 Tanzer 7.5. Needs little to get on the water. However I need an outboard motor for it. Just wondering if there are other Tanzer owners and what do you use. Long shaft, short shaft. 5-10 hp. It will be for sailing on Lake Huron. Motoring out of marina and hopefully that’s all.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[john61ct]

5-6 HP should be fine but many seem to have the Honda 9.9 long shaft

[HopCar]

Free sailboat? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha , oh sorry, you were serious.

[Don C L]

In my first boat, 4k#, I had a 2 stroke 6hp long shaft and that went fine, but I upgraded to a 9.9 and then it really had power to spare! On my 8K#+ boat now I have a 2 stoke 8hp long shaft and it goes fine, 5.5 knots at 3/4 throttle. Someday I'll get a 9.9. For in and out of the harbor (with no hazards or currents or waves to dodge) 5hp will be ok. Long shaft is better.

[Dave_S]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Free sailboat? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha , oh sorry, you were serious.

[michaelrene]

Yes, surprisingly free. Does need electronics and a motor. Otherwise good to go sailing.
Previous owner took good care of it. This boat weighs 3600 lbs with a 4’ fin keel. So it sounds like a 6-8hp long shaft is the way to go. Thanks for all the replies.

[Dave_S]

Sorry, wasn't meaning anything. Just that even a brand new boat can't be free, they all haemorrhage money.

[Scaramanga F25]

The 9.9 Yamaha High Thrust 4stroke has a bigger prop and works best of all outbds.
We have tried all makes at our Yacht Club.

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by Scaramanga F25

The 9.9 Yamaha High Thrust 4stroke ...

This is a good recommendation. Though you could get by with any long shaft outboard of perhaps 8 hp.

[Souzag818]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Free sailboat? Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha , oh sorry, you were serious.

And he used exclamation points......

[hamburking]

Tanzer 7.5 is a great boat, well made, you are going to have fun!

If you are JUST going in/out of the dock, then smaller is better. You could even get by with a Honda 2.0/2.3. But one day you will want to power into a big headwind, and will appreciate any extra horses you may have.

9.9 is more than you need. You could go from 4hp to 6hp, definitely long shaft, even on the kicker mount.

Tanzers are common in my area (eastern lake Ontario) and the prices have been coming down greatly as the fleet ages.

[glcalahan]

Ha...the "old free boat"?? It reminded me of my free boat .......which has now cost me almost $40k USD! �� A 1972 Pearson 33 needs love too!

[barnakiel]

There is a long shaft version of 6 hp Tohatsu. Have a look.


Not too expensive and quite reliable.


Congrats on your new boat!


b.

[Gary Mc]

Where are you keeping the boat? If in Sarnia at the Marina you will have to get up under the bridge. You will want at least a 7.5 HP motor for that.



Also you might consider if you need an alternator on the motor. I used to have a Niagara 26 with a 9.9 Honda that had a small alternator. Worked great when we cruised up North.



Have fun
Gary

[alansmith]

If u want to keep it simple buy used 2 stroke if your area allows it. Can’t buy new in California due to Smokey.

Another consideration is if it is a carburetor style engine or electronic ignition (no carb). Small is fine. Until you get one of those situations where you have tide, wind, and wave on the nose and u find the little engine at wot ain’t getting u anywhere. Then you will wish to God that u had bought bigger.

Suzuki 9.9 and Yamaha 9.9 are excellent high thrust engines. That is accomplished by 4 bladed prop versus 3 bladed. Also the gearing is something like 3:1 and 2.5:1 for the Yami and Zuk respectively. You also get get free electrons for your battery while running plus some. I chose Suzuki’s because it had pull start and electric start. Yami only had electric. I guess I am old school and like redundancy.