What's the right engine size for a 25?

[livingstone]

I'm taking my Mac25 to the Bahamas. Yeah, I know, I'm crazy.

I already knew that. I like the boat, because it does a few things others can't: float when swamped, right itself when capsized, go into 18" of water (like a lot of places I hang out), and is easily trailerable.

That said, I don't plan to take it across the Atlantic, but I do want to be prepared for big waves, and am thinking of getting a larger engine than the Suzuki Out8 that's on there. Hullspeed is around 6.5, and the Suzuki does the trick, but I think safety and control would be positively affected by something larger and more powerful to maneuver the boat in heavy weather.

Anybody want to weigh in? I know I read a TON of helpful info on this subject here once, but can't find it now...

Thanks!
Jack

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Jack,
Your engine is the right size at 8 and I'd be happy with a 6. Bigger means heavier and you don't want your stern to drag. If you wanted to carry a backup you might want to get a littler (3or4 hp) kicker and stow it below just in case.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[livingstone]

Yeah, I know it's the right size for the boat in flat water (it pushes me at 7 mph or so), but I figured if it was trying to power up the face of a large wave it might need something stronger, since it's a lot of weight (3450 pounds, plus gear) for that little motor on such an incline where my speed would be greatly reduced, or gods forbid, I'd be surfing backward down a big wave and broaching.

I hear your point about the extra weight though. The Merc 15 is 111 lbs. I'm going to weigh my Suzuki 8hp today, I'm guessing it's 75 or so...

[scallywag]

livingstone, my second boat is a Macgregor Venture Newport 23. It has a 9.9 evinrude. When the waves are 5-6 ft. and the period was short, I made more progress going up and down instead of forward. I do not care what size boat, you have to wait on the weather to cross the Gulf Stream. I pounded coming down waves in my Venture and made very slow progress under power fighting the wind in my Allied Princess. If you have been out in a blow with your 8hp you know how your Mac will handle and extra power might not be the answer.

John

[ssullivan]

The "John's" are right.

The 8 is fine - what you need is weather information and timing when crossing the Gulf Stream, not power. Even the most powerful of boats (engine wise) will struggle when caught in a bad/poorly timed crossing.

Take the boat out where you are now next time a small craft advisory is up and see how she powers. It'll be a good, controlled test.