Outboards for sailboat

[rbh1515]

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?

[tomallan]

I''m not sure if there are "bad" outboards on the market, but I have had good experience with Honda 4 cycles. Changing the oil takes minutes and it beats mixing oil & gas every time you fill up. I have an old Honda 10 on my 26'' Balboa and I''m happy with it. Maybe somebody else can comment on noise, I think they''re all noisy.

[gershel]

Hi, The Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke is probably the best one for sailboats, because of its high torque. It has a 3:1 gear reduction, and swings a very large prop. Much larger than any other outboard its size. I have 2 in my 36'' catamaran,and the are just like having inboards.
Marc

[rbh1515]

I just bought a Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke. It only weighs 50# and it looks like a great little engine. Anybody have any experience with one of these? Rob

[paleosalr]

I have a Johnson Sailmaster 8hp. 1989 on a 7.3 meter S2. It has stood the test of time and is not loud. But, there have been times when facing a two to three knot current my speed over ground was near zero. A five hp would probably be too small for a 26 footer in any kind of sea or current regardless of prop size unless you are using it on a small lake.

[rbh1515]

I''ll let you know this summer how my engine works. As I mentioned, I got a 4hp Yamaha. The company selling the boat offers a 3.5hp engine with the boat, which has a displacement of 2600#''s. They say the 3.5hp is plenty. I met a local person that has the same boat and uses a 5hp engine and says it is plenty of power. I think alot of people overpower their sailboats. I want a light weight engine--this one is only 50#. I''ll be sailing in Lake Michigan. No currents but plenty of wind and waves. Rob ~~~~_/)~~~~

[Jeff_H]

50 lbs is enormously heavy for a 4 hp engine on a 26 footer. Years ago I had a 4 hp Mercury that weighted just under 30 lbs and it was a real pain in the butt to put on or take off and was too heavy to leave on the transom for racing. I would look at the weight of the outboards that you are considering as you will have to haul the thing around more than you would think.

Jeff

[rbh1515]

Jeff,
I think that your memory escapes you (or you are a bit weak). The 4hp Yamaha is a 4 stroke with FNR and with built in tank (and its a long shaft). I have lifted it and it is very light compared with other outboards. There is no other 4hp 4 stroke made with FNR that I know of that weighs less. If you can find one let me know. The 2 strokes are a lighter, but no where near 30#. My father had a 4.5hp 2 stroke Mercury outboard that he bought new in the 70''s and it was much heavier (they were made of all metal back then). Maybe you''re thinking of 30kgs--big difference (~2.2 factor). The 4 stroke, although a bit heavier, has much better fuel efficiency, is whisper quiet, and doesn''t smoke. Being a sailor, I like these qualities.
~~~~_/)~~~~

[rbh1515]

Here''s the data:
Mercury 4hp 4 stroke: 55#
Mercury 4hp 2 stroke: 43#
Honda 5hp 4 stroke: 61# (they dont make a 4hp)
Nissan 4hp 4 stroke: 57#
Nissan 5hp 2 stroke: 44#
Johnson/Evinrude
5hp 4 stroke: 68#
Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke: 50#

Did I forget any major brands??
I don''t see any 30 pounders. It would be nice if they could make them that light. I think I''ll stick with my 50# Yamaha that you can''t even hear when its idling!! No smoke either!!
Rob ~~~~_/)~~~~

[rbh1515]

Forgot the Tohatsu 4hp 4 stroke: 57#
Rob ~~~~_/)~~~~