outboard for Ranger 23

[Cal28]

I have powered my Ranger 23 with a 6 HP Sailmaster that unfortunately looks like it's giving up the ghost .. I have a line on a newer 4 HP 4 stroke .. my only concern is that we have some rather strong crosswinds and tides in/out of our slip and marina and I worry that it might not be enough power .. the 6 HP was more than sufficient .. any experience/advise please ..

[dabnis]

"Giving up the ghost"? Unless the block is corroded away or totally plugged up it may be repairable? I had a Coronado 25 at about 4,500 lbs and a 6HP 2 stroke. It was OK in calm flat conditions but marginal for the rough conditions in and out of San Francisco Bay. Unless a new 4 HP is a whole lot lighter and cheaper than a new 6HP I would stay with a 6HP as it is doing the job. Power is good, especially when things get nasty.

Dabnis

[SlowButSteady]

Four hp should be plenty big for a 23 foot boat. I used to have a British Seagull (which only produced about 1 seagull-power ; actually, maybe 2 hp) on a 21 foot boat, and that worked fine.

[RXBOT]

Rule of thumb is one hp. per 500 pounds and allways long shaft. You can go more but don't go less.

[dabnis]

Looks like the 4HP & 6HP weigh the same with a small difference in price:

Tohatsu Outboard Motor 6hp 4-Stroke

We now have a small aluminum boat with a 2HP Honda we use for lake fishing. Recently we towed a heavy 16 foot fishing boat with a LARGE person in it quite a ways back to the ramp. I was surprised how well the little Honda did, although is was flat calm and no wind. I think the variables are your boat's windage, wind, chop and currents. 4HP might be OK but for the same weight and a few dollars more I would get the 6HP. Some day when it really gets nasty you may be happy to have the extra thrust.

Dabnis

[LakeSuperiorGeezer]

Originally Posted by RXBOT

Rule of thumb is one hp. per 500 pounds and allways long shaft. You can go more but don't go less.

The Ranger 23 weighs 3400 pounds. Add some more weight for crew and supplies and you need maybe 9 HP.

[lans0012]

I used to have a 25" shaft 6hp Nissan/tohatsu on my ranger 22 before I sold that boat. It was more than enough power, but the weight is the same as the 4hp so I went with the bigger motor, plus you have the option to get the 25" shaft and charger.

I think they also sell it now with a big ear prop that is better for sailboats.

[ovb]

I have a Santana 23 and I have been using a Honda 2hp for a couple of years...it works fine getting in and out of the slip and on a flat calm it powered up to 5.5 knots...I use may be 2 gallons of gas per 6 month season on the lake that I sail on....but If there were tides and currents to deal with I would want something larger....

[j24j]

In my experience, I've run out of shaft length many times due to seas, but I've never felt underpowered with a 4 hp motor on a boat your size.

[ovb]

I am using a Honda 2hp with a long shaft...it clamps on to the transom and there are times that I wish it had a bracket to get it lower and at times to raise the motor to keep the skag out of the water when sailing.....I would recommend a 4 stroke engine ...I tried to rebuild a old 4.5 hp Johnson and the parts prices were insane....bought the Honda for $20 more than the parts would have cost....