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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

In the market for a new motor.

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much ado
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/17/2006 : 09:43:44

My 8HP Johnson has given me great service but I have decided its time to replace it.
Thinking about a 9.9 HP Yamaha 4 stroke which is available with electric start and either a 20" or 25" shaft. Whats the thinking on the best shaft length to use??
Anybody used this motor or have thoughts on other brands that I should look at. Incidentally , this will be used in salt water.
I would appreciate any input.

Rick
Much Ado #54.

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 10:19:08

We have the 4 stroke Yamaha 9.9 with electric start & longer shaft. It's served us well. It's quiet, dependable & uses little gas. In fact we like it so much we bought a 4hp 4 stroke Yammy for the dinghy. Fortunately we have a dealer in town who gives excellent service and has a well stocked parts department. That's a big part of the equation for us.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 10:33:25

25" do not consider the 20", some people make do with 20" but making do with 25" is safer. It is all about a following sea situation and keeping your power in the water.

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 13:19:22

I just got a Merc long shaft, 8 HP, 4 stroke and couldn't be happier.
jl

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 18:31:38

On my C-25 I've used both a Yamaha 10HP electric start high thrust extra long shaft, and an older Honda B-100L 10HP long shaft recoil start. I have close to 10 years experience with each of these motors in tropical salt water. Both motors get the job done, but I much prefer the Yamaha in spite of its additional weight. As others have said, the most important consideration is keeping the prop submerged, which means spending what ever it takes to get the longest shaft available. I would say the second most important feature to look for is a high thrust prop. As for power, I get the impression anywhere between 6HP and 10HP is appropriate, depending on your sailing condidtions. On small inland lakes with flat water and light winds, 6HP should work OK. In coastal waters with significant wave action and the potential for higher winds and strong currents, 10HP provides a comforting amount of reserve power.

A side note on keeping your 4-stroke starting and idling like new. Always run the fuel out of the carb after each use, and install a water separator style fuel filter even if it seems like expensive overkill. The day you find yourself stuck out on the water with a motor which won't start or stay running because of crud in the idle jet or float bowl, that fancy Racor fuel filter assembly back on the retailer's shelf won't seem so unreasonably priced after all.

-- Leon Sisson

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 19:27:47

I have the Honda 9.9 w/25" shaft after having a motor w/20" shaft. The difference w/25" shaft is negligible when I put the boat to rest in the slip but the extra 5" when motoring about is 5" better if confronted with high winds and waves and needing to motor back. Less chance of the motor shaft coming out of the watere and not providing the necessary water cooling.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2006 : 22:58:55

With the bracket and 20" Honda the previous owner put on mine, the cooling intake would come out of the water if I went forward to the foredeck with nobody else in the cockpit--not good! In anything other than a small lake, the longest shaft available is the only thing to spend money on.

As for power, my 2003 Honda 8 is the same engine as the 9.9, but the cam timing gives it more low-end torque and less high-end hp. Since I never, ever use more than about 2/3 throttle (and usually more like half), I feel the extra 2 hp is superfluous, but costs about three more boat units on that engine. (The Tohatsu/Nissan is less.)

I do like the high-thrust prop--it makes stopping and maneuvering around a dock much more positive. But for long distances, it means the engine runs at somewhat higher RPMs and may burn a little more gas. I suspect another reason my new 8 burns a little more than the old one is the addition of a relatively high-output alternator (12 amps). But I'll pay that price for the electric starter and the boost the big alternator gives to the battery.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 07/17/2006 23:02:03

John Bixby
Navigator

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118 Posts

Response Posted - 07/27/2006 : 22:01:13

Go with the 25" shaft. Even with the extra long shaft my prop has come out of the water during bad
weather in Galveston Bay.
John on Ms Achsa

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.