Outboards on 24'

PaulinVictoria · #1 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011

What outboard do you have on your C&C 24?
Mine's got an old Honda 7.5 4-stroke twin, which although it's smooth and quiet (considering its from the mid 80s), only has a short shaft so I can get a lot of cavitation and reverse is pretty ineffective as the propwash is just bouncing off the transom.
I was looking at some of the 6hp single cylinder outboards but wonder if they vibrate too much for my aging fibreglass transom, I had an outboard guy suggest that a single cylinder might require some transom reinforcement due to the extra vibration.

Faster · #2 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011

A long shaft is really a basic requirement on these kinds of setups.. as you've noticed!

You'll definitely notice a difference going to a single cylinder.. even if the vibration is not too much for any structural reasons you'll likely find the discomfort (and relatively higher noise) a downer. Are you considering a 4 stroke single?

IIRC you don't have real good access to the inside area of the transom - although the bolts may be visible/accessible in the area under the cockpit seat. If so and you're worried about it it's not a big deal to add a backing plate there for peace of mind.

If you change motors, priority one would be the long shaft, maybe even extra long (25") if those are still available.

PaulinVictoria · #3 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011

Almost certainly looking at a 4-stroke since I can't be bothered with the oil mixing malarky. I kinda like the twin cylinder setup, and my current motor is actually in really good condition for its age, just had it serviced and it's running like a top. Ideally I want to pick up a long shaft version that doesn't run and then transplant the lower parts across.
Tohatsu make a 6hp single cylinder 4-stroke with a 25" leg, but if they are really that rough then I will perhaps consider the 8hp which is a twin. I think they weigh about the same as my current one.
Don't think there's easy access to the transom, I might be able to crawl under the cockpit or the alternative is to cut a hole in the back of the cockpit and just fit a hatch there afterwards.

sailingfool · #4 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulinVictoria

Almost certainly looking at a 4-stroke since I can't be bothered with the oil mixing malarky. I kinda like the twin cylinder setup, and my current motor is actually in really good condition for its age, just had it serviced and it's running like a top. Ideally I want to pick up a long shaft version that doesn't run and then transplant the lower parts across.
Tohatsu make a 6hp single cylinder 4-stroke with a 25" leg, but if they are really that rough then I will perhaps consider the 8hp which is a twin. I think they weigh about the same as my current one.
Don't think there's easy access to the transom, I might be able to crawl under the cockpit or the alternative is to cut a hole in the back of the cockpit and just fit a hatch there afterwards.

Last time I bought a boat with a short shaft outboard, I was able to find an extension kit and converted the motor to a long shaft for short money. Maybe these kits are still around...

PaulinVictoria · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2011

Alas I don't think they ever sold one for this Honda, I could probably buy the pieces separately, but I suspect it would run me more than the motor is worth, or a replacement would be.

captainmurph · #6 (**permalink**) 02-23-2011

I have an extra long shaft (25") Johnson SailMaster (2 stroke) and it works well.

I love having the electric starter and decent alternator and would highly recommend finding one of the extra long shafts for use on the '24.

I sail in rough weather in Lake Michigan and find that there is little problem with this one coming out of the water in big waves.

I think Yamaha makes a 25" 4-stroke.

Captain Murph
S/V Carib Dreamer
C&C 24

ahab211 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-15-2011

I have an 8 HP yamaha 2 stroke on my 24 C&C and as it is a long shaft is a good match for this boat as it is bullet proof and has all the power I need. I'd like to try a 4stroke but for the cost and extra maintenance I don't know if it is worth it!

PaulinVictoria · #8 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011

I managed to pick a complete long leg for sensible money so just need to swap it over. The extra 5" should help quite a bit.

thehardaground · #9 (**permalink**) 04-09-2011

Had a 5hp Honda on my Mirage 24 back in the day. Plenty of power and ran like a top. Pretty quiet too, not as quiet as sailing though.