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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Outboard Motors revisted

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Steve leBlanc
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/03/2003 : 22:39:04

I have just looked over the archives at the thread that concerned outboard motors. I currently have a 5hp Evinrude, which would make a great anchor, but I better keep it for a dingy. I may not be able to get the wife to row the boat in to shore after the sail to Catalina.
I got busted once in a two person kayak not doing my part, snoozing, but that's another story.

It seems that most people are using a Honda, 9.9 hp on there boat, but are also using the motor to steer the boat when backing. Is this true? or am I reading it wrong. I usually use the boats rudder to steer the boat, even when backing.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/03/2003 : 23:38:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve leBlanc
 I have just looked over the archives at the thread that concerned outboard motors. I currently have a 5hp Evinrude, which would make a great anchor, but I better keep it for a dingy. I may not be able to get the wife to row the boat in to shore after the sail to Catalina.
I got busted once in a two person kayak not doing my part, snoozing, but that's another story.

It seems that most people are using a Honda, 9.9 hp on there boat, but are also using the motor to steer the boat when backing. Is this true? or am I reading it wrong. I usually use the boats rudder to steer the boat, even when backing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The newest engine that a lot of people are talking about is the Nissan 9.9. It is significant because it is so light for a 4 stroke. It is the same engine as the 8 but available with more options. It is due on the store shelves in late January or early February. I would not buy a Honda until I had looked very closely at the Nissan.
You stear with a motor when you need to.

Edited by - on

Wayne Wallace
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2003 : 03:44:16

When backing out of the slip and into a narrow channel I use the motor to steer as the rudder has no steerage at that point....it takes much more boat speed when backing up for the rudder to be able to steer. Once the boat has way and there is steerage pressure on the rudder then I use both the motor and the rudder. It is the only way to get out of the slip and is the best method in tight space.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2003 : 10:11:25

You steer with the motor when the rudder is not effective.....on a 250 WB that is in reverse and forward untill you get some headway going....

I have the Honda 9.9......love it.

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2003 : 11:25:45

Also at issue here it the reverse thrust ability of the motor... some motors that use exhaust thru the prop do not have much reverse thrust... this may be one of the drawbacks of the new Nissan.

Also, for the Honda, the 8 and 9.9 are essentially the same motor. And, because the 8 never needs full RPM's, spending the extra three boat units for the 9.9 is an option without any net yield mechanically... though it might provide some emotional value.

Edited by - on

sailgal
Captain

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USA
400 Posts

Response Posted - 11/04/2003 : 12:12:19

I've got a 2001 4 stroke 9.9 high thrust long shaft Yamaha. Knock wood, no problems great performance, very heavy and fits tight(due to the tiller handle which maintains the controls(cut off, foward/reverse and throttle)I'm very happy overall with the engine.

Edited by - on

Steve leBlanc
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Response Posted - 11/05/2003 : 22:07:07

The next time I am backing my boat, I think I'll give the motor steering a try instead of using the tiller.

What I have found on my motor search:

4 Evinrude, not much good stated, only 1 liked his/hers
12 Honda's, no major complaints
2 Merc's so so
1 Nissan unknown due to being a new motor
2 sail masters Both liked
4 Yahama's, with only 1 complaint about the impeller the rest really liked their's

Almost all motors were over 7 HP, most in the 8 - 9.9 hp range. I think the 9.9 rules out just because of the electric start options. I may be wrong.

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2003 : 10:43:09

"And, because the 8 never needs full RPM's, spending the extra three boat units for the 9.9 is an option without any net yield mechanically... though it might provide some emotional value."

Never say "Never"....!

When I anchored at Catalina a few months ago, my anchor became fouled in the kelp. I was able to winch it up till the chain contacted the chock, but then, being single-handed, had no way to pull up the remaining 25' of chain and anchor. I finally fired up my Honda 9.9 and attempted to just drag it free. I wasn't watching the tach, but I know I was spinning some revs when it finally broke free and slowly inched away from the kelp and into deeper water. When I was completely free, I motored ahead, (turning slightly to port so the chain/anchor didn't hit the prop). As the chain drifted back, I expected to see my anchor with a few remnants of kelp hanging off it. Instead, I saw a ball of kelp about the size of a Volkswagen!

Would the 8 horse have pulled me free of the kelp bed? Maybe. Even probably. But at the time, I was glad I spent the extra money for all the horses I could muster.

I consider the 8 horse "adequate", just like a Bruce look-alike anchor is probably adequate, or 15' of chain instead of 25' is probably adequate. But if you want to have a safety margin for the unexpected (plus probably increase your resale value a tad) I'd go for the 9.9.

BTW, before anyone asks, I never was able to retrieve my anchor. I finally decided to (literally) cut my losses, so my brand new Bruce now sleeps with the fishes....

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 11/06/2003 : 11:22:52

I base my reasoning on the noticed loss of traction for the Honda 8 hp at about 2/3 throttle as the prop begins to cavitate if forward motion is restricted. Any further rpms will increase the loss of traction.

This can be noted by a decreasing speed on a c250. Dave Bristle has also noted the same for a C25.

I stand on my argument that an additional 500-1000 rpms are of no use on a sail boat. If it were a planing hull...yes, the boat would go faster.

Edited by - on

Steve leBlanc
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Response Posted - 12/01/2003 : 21:33:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Al
 
BTW, before anyone asks, I never was able to retrieve my anchor. I finally decided to (literally) cut my losses, so my brand new Bruce now sleeps with the fishes....

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

We all have to give up something to Neptune. I've lost an anchor also, but when I use to scuba, I have found 2 stuck in the rocks off of Laguna.

Question: When you sail to catalina, do you usually tow a dingy or bring one along?

Edited by - on

Al
Captain

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USA
269 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2003 : 20:04:01

That was my first trip, and I had my new dingy rolled up in the v-berth. Since I haven't decided on an outboard yet (Oh no! Not another outboard controversy

), I just had oars, and it was quite a paddle to shore, plus the shore boat was only $3 and a VHF call away..., I wimped out and never broke out the inflatable.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2003 : 16:38:26

Steve. My copy of Practical Sailor arrived in the last few days. In is they do a review of 8hp motors. They give high marks to the Yamaha - mostly because of the way the throttle and shift linkage is set up. It sounds like the the shift linkage is on the tiller instead of the motor. They did not do any testing of thrust for the various motors. If you intend to use a remote throttle there would be no advantage to the Yamaha based on what I read.

Edited by - on

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