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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Outboards again and again.

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2003 : 15:57:35

This year, I reached the frustration point with my Evenrude 8, so I bought a used Nissan 8 on Ebay for $750. I love it. No problems (yet!)

Bruce Baker
Falls Church, VA
"Yee Ha" 3573
'83SR/SK

Edited by - on

seads
1st Mate

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USA
90 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2003 : 16:42:33

My 2 cents worth:

We have a Nissan 8 bought new about 2 1/2 mos ago. We LOVE the engine. It has electric start and the tiny alternator, and starts/runs like a dream. However, we got only the "Long Shaft" and not XL and that was a mistake. Long shaft does OK and serves its purpose for getting in and out of the marina, but when you want to motor a bit (i.e. with the wife who hates sailing) the engine mount on the bracket washes saltwater up to and onto the front of the engine (yikes!). We tried raising the engine to the next higher up position but the shaft is too short to allow that. Also, even in its lowest setting we get cavitation in any chop.

Bottom line: Love the Nissan 8 but get the XL shaft.

Stewart Eads
"Osprey" 1982 FK/SR #3408
Charleston Harbor, SC

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2003 : 18:19:40

I bought a 4 stroke Nissan 6 hp for my Catalina 22. since it is one cylinder, it does vibrate a bit. you can get a 7 inch pitch prop, but it is still a 3 blade with the same diamater. The alternator doesn't put out very much power. But it was a perfect motor for my 22 at 57 lbs. I currently have a new 2003 8 hp extralong shaft Honda electric start. I am always amazed at how quick it starts. Barely a touch on the starter and it starts.
I have been told to use fuel stabilizer all the time because we use our motors so little. I don't know if this is correct, but it seems to make sense to me.
I have also heard that Honda is going to reintroduce an older model 8 hp motor as it is lighter than the current ones.

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2003 : 19:07:05

Frank... that is interesting news about Honda re-releasing the old 8. It was a very good motor albeit I don't think ever offered in an XLS or with electric start. If returning... I hope it does so with XLS option though I wouldn't care about electric start... mine starts very easy.

Considering the long at 79 lbs... it shouldn't run more than 85 lbs for an XLS model. That would be about 25 lbs lighter than the current 8-9.9 combo.

Fuel consumption was about 2.25 hours per gal compared to 1.7 for the combo.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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Ray Seitz
Captain

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USA
416 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2003 : 07:21:35

Don;
We sailed the western end of Erie around the Islands, & Sandusky. We are planning a trip back up to that area again this August. We are usually on Brookville Lake in Indiana inbetween Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

I know what you mean about an outboard that just runs. I have come to accept my starting difficulties but, I really feel that for a new motor the situation is unacceptable.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d831b3127cce891ba4a976e00000001010" border=0>On the water
C250 WB Sea Major #628

Edited by - on

Heartbeat
Navigator

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USA
161 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2003 : 17:11:30

Don,

I use a long shaft Johnson 6, and it will push me along at or slightly above hull speed (6-6.5 knots) quite nicely. I also have an Evinrude 4, but all I seem to get out of that is 4.5-5 knots. I would think you would be fine with the 6 horse.

I would really like a four cycle motor, but with 2 working 2 strokes, why spend the cash?

The motor mount on Heartbeat has been lowered to help with the 20" shaft. No, we don't have much reverse with several crew on the foredeck. Since the boat is on the Detroit River, when the big pleasure boats go by I throttle down as the motor does come out of the water. On the flip side, the motor does get a litle deep in the water at times. I have yet to see the water come up to the gas connection, but on occasion I have seen it within 6 inches.

I have to agree with some of the earlier posters. I think the ideal motor would be a 5-6 horse extra long shaft (25"+) with a large diameter prop. Maybe someday a manufacturer will make one.

-Matt

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2003 : 17:48:12

Per a discussion on the c250 side... one more thing on the list for an optimum motor is the exhaust gas diverter for reverse. Honda did this on the 2001 and later. Previously, the 9.9 Honda had reverse thrust issues that were blamed on the cavitation that occurs while in reverse with thru the hub exhausting. They now divert the exhaust while in reverse to holes above the cavitation plate. This I guess gives the best of both worlds, less drag while ahead and good thrust in reverse.

A video illustration of this is provided on the Honda web site.

The pre 2001 Honda 8 hp did not exhaust thru the prop and didn't have the reverse thrust problem.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

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