16hp enough? opinions needed

[Motorsail Gab]

Hello all, I come cap in hand asking for a little advice. Im currently looking at up grading my boat and im looking at at 27 foot bilge keel colvic sailer, although it wont win any races it has all I need with helping me into the world of sailing etc. My only slight concern is the 16 hp engine. Ill need something as a learner to get me out of trouble as such or just to totter back to a marina, but im thinking this might struggle against the tide in and out of the estuary. Im in the blackwater and am seeking opinions although its looking likely that a test run could be the best way to put my mind at ease. Over the next few years im looking to start getting out of the estuary hence the up grade and on occasions just motor out for a quick fish so may not even have the sail up.

 

[greggron]

I would imagine it would suffice. On my Sadler 25 I have a Yanmar 1GM10 which I believe is rated at about 9hp. It will happily drive me along at hull speed (around 6 knots) and into Portsmouth harbour against an outgoing spring.

 

[JimC]

I should think 16 hp would be enough. I have 18 hp in my 31 foot twin-keeler and it's adequate. I sail in and out of the Lune estuary which is strongly tidal.

 

[sailorman]

I had 12 hp in a Contessa 32, you will be fine with 16 hp, a virtual motor sailor

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I presume is a diesel engine. You will find that, provided the engine is in good order, there is enough power to reach hull speed and to go against normal tides. However, sailing yachts dont like motoring against wind and tides too much; having the sails up and the engine on at the same time, will help you go through tides much easier.

 

[Burnham Bob]

My 27 ft Trapper 500 has a Beta 14 and that is fine. Follow this link http://betamarine.co.uk/engine-selection-for-yachts/

My Trapper 500 has a 23ft waterline so according to the table I could have got away with a smaller engine. Your 27 footer's waterline won't be 27 feet so a 16 hp engine will be more than enough.

 

[Motorsail Gab]

thanks all, really helps. It is a diesel a beta engine in fact which i've done some reading on and has a good reputation from what i've seen. The broker has stated a 3 cylinder 18hp but it seems they may have wires crossed as i can only find 2 cylinders at the 18hp. Thanks again, I appreciate the knowledge of those who have similar sized engines etc and seems you'll getting on ok. it's about a mile in and out of the creek of my half tide marina and as i'll be trying to get plenty of experience this year i'll be getting in and out quite a bit.

 

[Minchsailor]

I fitted the Beta 14 to my Nicholson 32. Never used it at full revs, cruised at 4.8 kns at 2200 (max 3600). It will be fine. Actually, you do not want a 'too' powerful diesel; if they are never worked at anything like full revs the bores end up getting glazed and you lose compression.

 

[morgandlm]

I've got a 10hp Bukh in my Sadler 26 and sail in the Blackwater - the boat is at Bradwell. Like most boats of this size, she sails better than she performs under engine but the engine is fine for my needs, albeit is getting rather old. Just as others have said, you'll be fine with 16hp.
Morgan

 

[Tranona]

It is not necessarily the hp that is important, but having the propeller matched to the engine and boat so that you can achieve hull speed at near maximum revs. With the correct prop 16hp is sufficient to do this on that size boat provided it is not too heavy.

 

[mtb]

any where from 9 up to 15 hp is good enough on a colvic 26 sailer or watson. It has already been said it will sail better than motor. It wont matter how much power you have or how high you rev it always rember a hull has a max design speed if you get it up to around 6 knots then that is that for the colvic
A lot of the colvics from the 70's and 80's were fitted with petter mini twins which are rated at 12hp
colvics are heavy because their well made you'll notice how safe you feel when it gets rough. If your going to look at one and if you can see it out of the water check the rudder skeg they were left with a space you could fill with lead shot if there been any hard knocks or bouncing on the bottom just as you take the ground as some waZZZZ speeds by you may find water can get through into the area above and behind the stern tube which is in the shape of a v
mind you there are a few variations of rudder lay out on em some have nicely ballanced rudders some not

 

[William_H]

Goijng against a tide is simply a matter of water speed. This is largly limited by hull speed. So if you can get 7 knots in still water then that will mean you can fight a 5 knot contrary tide with 2 knots over the ground. Cos you are still doing 7 knots through the water.
Where horsepower does matter is in motoring against a strong wind and resultant waves. This will reduce water speed regardless of tidal movement.
However as said 16Hp should be OK for all but the worst conditions. Just make sure you get a twin or 3 cyclinder engine for reduced noise and vibration compred to a single.
good luck olewill

 

[oldharry]

I had a Bukh 20 in an Eventide 26. I very rarely needed to use more than 3/4 throttle even in rough water and strong wind,

 

[Avocet]

We've only got 10hp in a 27' long keeler (20' waterline) and can just about get hull speed in still water with a clean bottom. When we re-engine, I'd like a bit more grunt, but I doubt I'ever go over 15hp.

 

[jwilson]

Hello all, I come cap in hand asking for a little advice. Im currently looking at up grading my boat and im looking at at 27 foot bilge keel colvic sailer, although it wont win any races it has all I need with helping me into the world of sailing etc. My only slight concern is the 16 hp engine. Ill need something as a learner to get me out of trouble as such or just to totter back to a marina, but im thinking this might struggle against the tide in and out of the estuary. Im in the blackwater and am seeking opinions although its looking likely that a test run could be the best way to put my mind at ease. Over the next few years im looking to start getting out of the estuary hence the up grade and on occasions just motor out for a quick fish so may not even have the sail up.

If you go bigger than 16hp all you will do at full throttle is dig a bigger hole in the water with virtually no increase on speed. Your Colvic 26 is comparable to a Westerly Centaur which came new with various engines from 13 through 25 to 30 hp. Having been on a 13 hp one and a 30 hp one I can confirm that there is virtually no difference in top speed. Most Centaurs had 25 hp but only because Westerly got a really good deal on a big batch of 25 hp Volvos that they could also fit to bigger boats in their range.