Deal on a 4 HP "Will it work"

[4play]

I have found a great deal on a Merc. 4 HP outboard. I know it is to small but will it work on a Columbia 28. Not planning to do much "but a little" into the wind motoring.

[Faster]

It's not likely to really be adequate to the job, your speed will be greatly slowed down by headwinds, and unless it's a long shaft you may have trouble in even minor chop keeping the prop in the water.

This scenario can become quite dangerous if you unexpectedly get caught in bad weather/sea conditions.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by 4play

I have found a great deal on a Merc. 4 HP outboard. I know it is to small but will it work on a Columbia 28. Not planning to do much "but a little" into the wind motoring.

If it doesn't work out for you, would you mind forwarding the seller's info?

[soulesailor]

It will probably be big enough for some calm, no wind motoring or in/out of tight anchorages, docking, etc.

[Insails]

I have a Yamaha 4hp on my Columbia22..I can make maybe 4kts BUT its tough coming in against an outgoing tide or against headwinds over 15kts..
The 22 has an outboard well in the cockpit so the prop stays in the water in all conditions...I would get at least an 8hp if I were you..

I plan on adding a 6hp four stroke to my transom mount and use my 4hp for back up and the dingy

[PaulSail51]

Which a few of the boatyard pundits said was too powerful for the C22.

I gotta say that this is a terrific engine, powerful enough to get out of the way of anything I need to get out of the way of, I could probably give a fellow sailor a tow and at low RPM it seems to sip gas.

I got it reconditioned for $600. It's a two stroke from the late '80's.

I would think a 6hp might work OK, but a 4 might leave you wanting when you need it most.

[pelicanl]

I would hold out for a 6hp at least. My 26T shoal keel is powered by a 6hp Merc and it does it all and just sips gas.

[tommays]

I just used a 4 Hp merc with the 5.9 pitch high thrust prop to move and 8000# Cal 29 12 miles on Long Island Sound


It went 4.5 knots and exceeded my wildest expectations i sure want more long term BUT if i was not going far it would do fine

[Flightsport]

I actually have a 15Hp Honda on my 26T, it is WAY more power than I need but I am often glad to have more, not less. I would stick with a 6Hp or better for your 28. My greatest fear would be when the weather kicks up and you're you've doused the sails and motoring is the safest thing to do. You dont want to be in the situation where you cant steer the bow into the wind and current because of lack of power.

[RichH]

The 'eyeball' rule for 'displacement hulls' is 1 hp per 500 to 700 pounds of boat weight.
Use 700 for the minimum value - for minimum performance in adverse conditions.
Use 500 for maximum performance

eg.: 7000 lb. boat divided by 700 = 10 hp. for 'light' and relatively flat conditions
eg.: 7000/500 = 14 hp to 'power through' directly into very heavy chop, etc.