Re: hp, hull, what happens?
Keep in mind that, for a relatively slow hull (i.e. not a light planing
skiff) a 4 stroke will swing a bigger prop and probably give more thrust
for the same horsepower (not to mention that the 2 stroke will drive you
nuts with noise if that sort of thing gets to you.) And I seem to recall
that some 4 strokes do better than others both with noise and thrust.
Not to mention matching prop to speed.
skiff) a 4 stroke will swing a bigger prop and probably give more thrust
for the same horsepower (not to mention that the 2 stroke will drive you
nuts with noise if that sort of thing gets to you.) And I seem to recall
that some 4 strokes do better than others both with noise and thrust.
Not to mention matching prop to speed.
>dickb_bolger" <burnharch@...>
>wrote:
>New here! At least for those with reasonable memories. Here's a
>question that is currently on my mind. I'm building (have been
>building, will be building) the 20'sheetply Chebacco and am beginning
>to think about an outboard. Discussing the matter with a few, its
>been said that 6hp is just right. Under that is underpowered
>(although Fraser is pleased with 4.5 hp), but beyond that is what?
>I've seen 8hp longshafts for sale and don't know if that extra hp
>will bring the hull to plane or dig it in. Besides eating more gas
>and 10 lbs extra weight, what are the pros and cons of oversize hp?
>
Hi Dick
Here's my opinion, based on three years experience with one motor,
saiing on the ocean in most conditions.
Like everyone else, I figure my choice is the best, but here's some
of the things to consider. My 5 hp four stroke engine weighs 60
pounds, gas is extra. I carry a 3 US gallon remote tank in the motor
well. That's enough weight in there already, so I wouldn't go to a
heavier motor. The 5 hp gives me hull speed (5,5 knots) at less than
full throttle on flat water, more power just digs a bigger hole with
little or no extra speed.
BTW, I believe 3 gallons gives me about a 45 mile range in most
conditions -- I've never tested it fully, but 2 gallons (US) gave me
30 miles, part of that against a strong tide. I like the remote tank
because I can cross the straits without having to refuel while I'm
bouncing around on the water. (The more horsepower, the more fuel
you'll burn too.)
I like the short shaft. I've skinned over some shallows where the
long shaft would have hit the bottom, but since the short shaft is
the same depth as the Chebacco skeg, the worst I've done is stir up
some mud and gravel. I've never had a problem with the prop coming
out of the water, even when pitching up and down against wind and
waves.
Speaking of which , I don't know how small an engine would do the job
going into strong winds and waves. I looked at a 4 hp Yamaha four
stroke before I found my used Honda, and I thought it would be okay,
but I think a 2 hp would be too small to make any headway, although
it would be fine for good weather. I've sometimes had to turn the
power right up on the 5 hp to make any progress at all. Tides are
another consideration, but if they exceed your hull speed, it doesn't
matter how big the engine is.
That's about it -- think about weight, depth, fuel capacity, and what
kind of conditions you'll be sailing in. Lake sailing might need
less power, with no tides and generally smaller waves.
Jamie Orr
PS Does anyone know why motor manufacturers put the lifting
latch/release right at the back, down behind everything else?
Here's my opinion, based on three years experience with one motor,
saiing on the ocean in most conditions.
Like everyone else, I figure my choice is the best, but here's some
of the things to consider. My 5 hp four stroke engine weighs 60
pounds, gas is extra. I carry a 3 US gallon remote tank in the motor
well. That's enough weight in there already, so I wouldn't go to a
heavier motor. The 5 hp gives me hull speed (5,5 knots) at less than
full throttle on flat water, more power just digs a bigger hole with
little or no extra speed.
BTW, I believe 3 gallons gives me about a 45 mile range in most
conditions -- I've never tested it fully, but 2 gallons (US) gave me
30 miles, part of that against a strong tide. I like the remote tank
because I can cross the straits without having to refuel while I'm
bouncing around on the water. (The more horsepower, the more fuel
you'll burn too.)
I like the short shaft. I've skinned over some shallows where the
long shaft would have hit the bottom, but since the short shaft is
the same depth as the Chebacco skeg, the worst I've done is stir up
some mud and gravel. I've never had a problem with the prop coming
out of the water, even when pitching up and down against wind and
waves.
Speaking of which , I don't know how small an engine would do the job
going into strong winds and waves. I looked at a 4 hp Yamaha four
stroke before I found my used Honda, and I thought it would be okay,
but I think a 2 hp would be too small to make any headway, although
it would be fine for good weather. I've sometimes had to turn the
power right up on the 5 hp to make any progress at all. Tides are
another consideration, but if they exceed your hull speed, it doesn't
matter how big the engine is.
That's about it -- think about weight, depth, fuel capacity, and what
kind of conditions you'll be sailing in. Lake sailing might need
less power, with no tides and generally smaller waves.
Jamie Orr
PS Does anyone know why motor manufacturers put the lifting
latch/release right at the back, down behind everything else?
--- Inbolger@yahoogroups.com, "dickb_bolger" <burnharch@h...> wrote:
> New here! At least for those with reasonable memories. Here's a
> question that is currently on my mind. I'm building (have been
> building, will be building) the 20'sheetply Chebacco and am
beginning
> to think about an outboard. Discussing the matter with a few, its
> been said that 6hp is just right. Under that is underpowered
> (although Fraser is pleased with 4.5 hp), but beyond that is what?
> I've seen 8hp longshafts for sale and don't know if that extra hp
> will bring the hull to plane or dig it in. Besides eating more gas
> and 10 lbs extra weight, what are the pros and cons of oversize hp?
Yup, that sounds about right. Since the hull is not going to go any
faster due to the limit of its waterline, the 6 hp should be great.
I use a 6 on my Marshall 18 and it rarely is every used at top speed
as all it does is make a bigger wave with not gain in speed. A
smaller motor may not have enough oomph to get you out of a narrow
passage against a stiff breeze with your rig up.
Happy Building
David Jost
faster due to the limit of its waterline, the 6 hp should be great.
I use a 6 on my Marshall 18 and it rarely is every used at top speed
as all it does is make a bigger wave with not gain in speed. A
smaller motor may not have enough oomph to get you out of a narrow
passage against a stiff breeze with your rig up.
Happy Building
David Jost
It won't plane with the 8hp, all you get is to spend $500 more and the
specs I looked at gave almost a 30lb wieght gain on the Tohatsu.
HJ
dickb_bolger wrote:
specs I looked at gave almost a 30lb wieght gain on the Tohatsu.
HJ
dickb_bolger wrote:
>New here! At least for those with reasonable memories. Here's a
>question that is currently on my mind. I'm building (have been
>building, will be building) the 20'sheetply Chebacco and am beginning
>to think about an outboard. Discussing the matter with a few, its
>been said that 6hp is just right. Under that is underpowered
>(although Fraser is pleased with 4.5 hp), but beyond that is what?
>I've seen 8hp longshafts for sale and don't know if that extra hp
>will bring the hull to plane or dig it in. Besides eating more gas
>and 10 lbs extra weight, what are the pros and cons of oversize hp?
>
>
>
>
New here! At least for those with reasonable memories. Here's a
question that is currently on my mind. I'm building (have been
building, will be building) the 20'sheetply Chebacco and am beginning
to think about an outboard. Discussing the matter with a few, its
been said that 6hp is just right. Under that is underpowered
(although Fraser is pleased with 4.5 hp), but beyond that is what?
I've seen 8hp longshafts for sale and don't know if that extra hp
will bring the hull to plane or dig it in. Besides eating more gas
and 10 lbs extra weight, what are the pros and cons of oversize hp?
question that is currently on my mind. I'm building (have been
building, will be building) the 20'sheetply Chebacco and am beginning
to think about an outboard. Discussing the matter with a few, its
been said that 6hp is just right. Under that is underpowered
(although Fraser is pleased with 4.5 hp), but beyond that is what?
I've seen 8hp longshafts for sale and don't know if that extra hp
will bring the hull to plane or dig it in. Besides eating more gas
and 10 lbs extra weight, what are the pros and cons of oversize hp?