Outboards for sailboat

rbh1515 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-11-2001

I''m buying a 26'' sailboat. Need to buy an outboard. Any advise on what brand. I''m looking for a 4-5hp long shaft. Any brands people have had really good or really bad experience with. Also trying to decide on 2 or 4 cycle. I know the 4 cycle is a lot cleaner, but the 2 cycle weighs less for most brands (~10 lbs less), you never have to worry about changing oil and I''m not worried about efficiency (and I''m not in California). I''m just going in and out from the slip for daysailing. Is there a big difference in noise between 2 and 4 cycle?
Appreciate any and all advise. Rob
~~~~_/)~~~~

Cap'nJeff · #2 (**permalink**) 03-17-2001

Good afternoon,
I owned an O''Day 25 with a Mercury 9.9 longshaft for 12 years. Highly reliable engine, relatively quiet and cheap to maintain. Johnsons are great also, but consider problems of dealer support with OMC going bankrupt.

I never owned a 4 cycle, but imagine that the hassle of an oil change would balance the hassle of mixing engine oil for the 2 cycle. I almost ruined my engine once when a guest forgot to mix in the oil when hooking up a new tank of gas.

I hope your 26 footer is a slippery racer if you''re going to power it with a 4 - 5 HP outboard. My O''Day weighed about 4800 lbs and the 9.9 was not exactly overpowering it.

Fair winds and friendly harbors,

rbh1515 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-17-2001

I just bought a Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke. I think it should be fine for my Colgate 26. The company offers a 3.5hp engine as an option with the boat, and they say that is plenty. The Colgate 26 has a displacement of 2600#, so just over 1/2 of the O''Day 26''s weight. We are just motoring a short distance from our dock. Rob

Familysailor · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2001

I have a 27'' C&C approx. weight is 5500#''s. I push her along with a 1984 7.5 HP 2 cycle Sailmaster. The boat moves along nicely, even against the 4 to 6 knot out going tide. I would like more power but my engine is reliable and does the job. It pushes my boat at 4 to 5 knots at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle. Hope this helps!

rbh1515 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2001

I think that alot of people overpower there sailboats. You may need a bigger engine if you are motoring alot. I plan on sailing most of the time. No cruising. Just need to motor from the slip to the breakwater to sail so I think the 4hp on my 26'' (2600#) boat will work out. Rob ~~~~_/)~~~~