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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Outboard motor

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James Simmons
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/01/2008 : 12:30:43

I have an 8 HP standard shaft 2 cycle Tohatsu motor I am considering using for my fixed keel 1980 C-25 and would like to retrofit it to a long or extra long shaft configuration. Can anyone advise where to go to check on parts to see if this is possible?

Also, in lieu of retrofitting my current engine I am considering buying a new one, probably from Outboards Direct. I have researched the archives and am considering either a Tohatsu 6HP XLS or an 8 HP LS (I don't see an XLS available for the 8HP). I like the XLS and weight of the 6HP but I also like the extra power of the 8HP even though it is a LS, especially after reading a thread about needing extra power when docking in high winds. I sail on Lake Conroe, a 22,000 acre inland lake and have a mostly downwind, narrow slip. The slip is protected from wave action in the marina but the prevailing wind can be a factor when trying to stop the boat after entering.

I would appreciate any comments regarding which engine might be the better choice given the conditions.

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2008 : 13:35:35

8 hp High Thrust prop.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2008 : 13:36:57

6 HP is plenty to move the boat, especially on a lake where you don't have big tidal currents or waves.

I have the Tohatsu 9.8 xxl shaft electric start from Online Outboards. I have motored hundreds of miles on this motor, and used it nearly every day for 2 years. It has never faltered or failed to start within 2 seconds.

One boat in our club has a 5 HP Mercury and it works just fine.

When my motor was being serviced I brought down my standard shaft 3.5 HP Mercury (no reverse) and it did work, but just barely, only to get in and out of the slip.

For lake sailing I would not hesitate to go with a smaller 6 HP XL shaft motor.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2008 : 13:40:06

The comments I've read on this subject in this forum over the past year or so convinced me to go with the XLS. Being a lake sailor, I would have preferred the 8hp motor but could not get the 8 in XLS and elec start, so I ended up buying the 9.8 hp Nissan model. You will appreciate the extra power of the 8 or 9.8. My 9.8 Nissan is a super motor; easy to start and I love it. The 8 and 9.8 share the same block, but are heavier than the 6. If I'm not mistaken, the 6 is a 1 cyl unit.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2008 : 13:44:08

You didn't say how old this 2-stroker is but, I'd guess that the age + the cost of retrofit might make buying a new one the right choice. If buying new, the longest shaft would be the one I'd buy. I have a Tohatsu 9.8 ultra-long shaft.

Edited by - John Russell on 10/01/2008 13:45:04

tchowes
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 10/01/2008 : 23:35:47

I would have preferred a 9.8 Tohatsu 25" shaft myself, but found a 6hp Tohatsu 20" shaft on Craigslist this Spring with 10 hours for $650. This was just about 1/3rd the price of the 9.8. I figured I'd give it a try for the season.

I didn't take it out in very rough seas, but the depth was ok with the bracket at the middle setting. Would have worked better at the lowest setting, but fine.

Did it have enough power? Yes. I could hit hull speed consistently. It would cruise at 4.5 knots at 1/2 - 2/3rd throttle.

Like I said, price was a consideration. If I could find a used 8-9.8hp Long shaft at the right pricepoint, I'd move up. I'm not ready to invest in a brand new 9.8hp 25" motor at this time.

Late model Tohatsu's are a great bargain. Over the summer, I bought a 2007 Tohatsu 9.8 15" shaft with 20 hours for $1,100 - $100 (Ebay coupon) = $1,000. $1,700 new. I could live with a 9.8 long shaft at that price.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2008 : 10:57:50

Sounds like you got a great deal, Tim. My admiral needed the elec start. Also, when I replaced the motor mount, the unit I chose, trying to save a little money, was not the ideal choice. It won't go low enough for a 20" shaft motor, which I already had, so we went for a 25" shaft model.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2008 : 11:31:41

Shaft length is generally more important than horsepower. But shaft length also depends on your bracket--20" (L) might be fine, but 15" (S) is likely to spin out in boat wakes or significant chop. Lowering a 15" enough to prevent that could result in drowning the powerhead in a following wave. I'd always get an XL for a 25' sailboat that can lift the engine when pitching for-and-aft. A few more bucks is insurance against disappointment later.

Another thing--a single-cylinder engine will be considerably noisier than a 2-cylinder, if that matters to you, and 2-strokes are noisier than 4 (except for my 1-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke Honda 2, which will wake the whole anchorage).

BTW, around here, there's a lively market for little 2-strokes for dinghies and such. Lots of people are looking for them!

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2008 : 23:00:21

I used the Forum to help me decide on the outboard to replace the Chrysler Sailor, 9.8, 2 cycle, with 25 years on it. It has been four years now with the Honda XLS 15 hp with power lift and power thrust. I used the 4 spring CD mount with inboard controls. I couldn't be happier with the unit. Yes, the 15 hp is more than you need but the dealer after giving me the low quote for the 9.9 asked me if I would take the 15 at the same deal. I still go every other year to the San Juan's so the newer engine is very nice when I get into strong currents.

The first engine did get covered with a following wave once in a while and as I went forward the exhaust would come up out of the water. Longer is better because now the Honda stays above and the prop and exhaust stay below. Hope you get to use a XLS.

Edited by - on

James Simmons
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2008 : 07:13:32

Thanks for all of the great information, everyone!

In my case the ultimate solution seems to be a 6HP XLS. I agree an 8 HP would probably be better but it is not avaialble from onlineoutboards in the XLS (only LS) and is also 25#'s heavier than the 6 HP. I definitely need an XLS as the LS motor I am now using barely has the cavitation plate under water when fully extended and no one is in the boat. (One thread suggested the plate should be at least 5" below the water in this position).

My remaining concern about the 6 HP is whether or not it will provide enough power while I am docking in high winds. If anyone has any experience with this I would appreciate the input!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2008 : 08:16:03

>"My remaining concern about the 6 HP is whether or not it will provide enough power while I am docking in high winds"

Short of a full gale, I think you'll be fine.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2008 : 09:45:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by James Simmons
 ...docking in high winds. If anyone has any experience with this I would appreciate the input!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Most of us do, but much depends on the circumstances--wind direction, dock configuration, currents, etc. Some basic principles:
1. Try to make your approach upwind or up-current.
2. Know how to use a "spring-line" to stop you and pull you to the dock.
3. Be aware of what "prop-walk" is and how you can control it and use it to advantage rather than letting it confuse and frustrate you.
4. To repeat myself (again)

, never approach a dock faster than you're willing to hit it!

Try using Search on things like "docking", "spring-line", and "prop-walk"--there are some long threads out there on this often-vexing topic.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2008 : 13:52:25

For what it's worth, I replaced my 20 year old Honda 9.9 with a Tohatsu 9.8 just 2 months ago. The advice from everyone on the forum was great, and I used the member discount at onlineOutboard.com.
The new motor is an electric start, although that motor starts so easily it takes about as much effort to push the starter button as it does to pull the cord once :)
I noticed that OnlineOutboards would not sell the remote starter kit, stating that it had to be installed in their shop. Anyone know why that is? It seems like a fairly simple project, but maybe there is something I am missing...

Edited by - on

tchowes
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 10/07/2008 : 18:37:56

One additional consideration is the ability to keep the powerhead above the water. When you get honking under sail, it is possible to get the motor pretty wet at the lowest setting with the CD bracket. I kept my engine in the middle setting (pretty low) which worked fine, but would occasional cavitate in reverse with someone in the bow. WOuld not be an issue with the 25" in the same setting. Of course, in the lowest setting, this would not be an issue for the 20" shaft either.

The single cylinder does get on your nerves a little. I have a 9.8 Tohatsu on my 13' whaler. Smoother and relatively quiet at half throttle, which I imagine, is all the power you'd need on the Catalina.

I'm on the lookout for a long shaft 8-10 horse Tohatsu if the price is right.

However, I'll miss the ability to singlehandedly remove the 6hp engine off the bracket while standing on a step ladder in the yard!

Edited by - on

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