ETAP21i outboard size

[Boomshanka]

Hi,

I'm new to here (and returning to sailing after dingies as a kid - wife thinks it's a mid-life crisis - happy to go along with that!). I've just brought a new ETAP 21i - delivery in October - and I'm trying to finalise which outboard to put on her. ETAP specify the 4-stroke Yamaha 8Hp (over £3k on the option list /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif ) I've found the Tohatsu 8Hp for half that but I still think at 37Kg it might be over-spec and over weight. At about 1500Kg displacement and sailing around the Solent area... can anyone advise if say a 6Hp would do the job? I'd also like to hear from any other ETAP21i owners as to whether the 'long' shaft version will clear the water when tilted.

 

[Allan]

Welcome to the forum and Etap sailing. Sorry, I can't help with the tilting question. I have just had another fantastic weekend on my 22i. My motor is a yamaha 6, fixed in a well. It has no problem pushing my boat and even has no problem with the Bristol channel tides. I have used a Johnson 4 which also pushed it well enough.
Allan

 

[simonfraser]

problem with outboards is not so much the power but keeping it in the water. if it is in a well you are likely to get away with a smaller size. but if you are trying to moter into lots of wind you'll need the extra horse power.

 

[alisdair4]

Don't have any experience of the ETAP, but my current boat is a Fox Terrier 22 (similar weight), with a transom-fitted, long-shaft Yamaha 4 HP, 4 Stroke. This gives me 6 knots in flat water, and perfect control. If there is wind, you are going to sail a small boat anyway, so why waste money on a bigger motor?

 

[davidwf]

I have a Beneteau 21.7 which is virtually identical size and weght wise, I use a 6hp Mariner with a sail drive prop on it. Would have bought a Tohatsu but no dealer nearby.

6hp on this size of boat is more than adequate and in fact a bit more than you really need. Your complication with the Etap is the need to fit remote controls to the engine as is set very low and is hard to control via the tiller arm throttle.

Another good choice would be the Suzuki 5 or 6 which can have remotes fitted, avoid Honda like the plague, I started with a 6hp honda and it was overweight and in my opinion useless.

Make sure you buy the corect length outboard, I think the Etap needs a standard shaft.

 

[weaver_fish]

On my Dehler 22 (v similar) I had to replace the engine. Went from a Mariner 5hp 2 stroke to a Mercury 4hp Sailpower. Really good price from Robin Curnow in Penryn Cornwall... pushed her along just fine, better than the 5hp and had loads of power in reserve. These sort of boats are light and easily driven... don't think you need to even go as far as a 6hp IMHO.

 

[DRANNIE]

I have an inherited 5hp honda long shaft which came with my eboat. Its heavy and I have had some issue with it be tempremental under low revs which can make for pontoon drama. I did try in the well on my boat but found it very noisy and unhappy at less than half throttle (maybe due to the leg being too low in the water) (and a crap aftermarket well)

One thought is that if its on the back of the boat you can park turning the motor which makes it very manouverable. The eboat has a low transome and I find with the bracket up I can tilt a long shaft out of the water. As outboards are suseptable to the water inlets getting blocked by weed its easier just tilt the motor out and clear it than having to lift the whole motor out of the well while also trying to get a sail out because your motor's packed in.

 

[paulburton44]

I have the Honda 6 on my Parker 235....I wouldn't buy another one...

Tohatsu would be my first choice....no more than 6hp.

 

[Boomshanka]

Many thanks for all of your thoughts / experiences, most helpful. The view about the Etap needing a remote is spot on I think as the engine is very low down... I'll have a look at the 6hp range of Tohatsu or Suzuki to see if it's possible.

Many thanks

Ian

 

[ReggieK]

Hi Boomshanka
I have an Etap 21i for the last 4 years. I started with a 5HP Honda long shaft, fine blade prop. which had no trouble pushing her along at 5 knots against wind or tide.
However, I do not recommend the Honda , previous posts here will tell you why.
I am currently using a 4HP Johnson which again has no problem moving her.
5 HP is ample for the Etap, however, pick an outboard with an easy gear change as the engine is mounted very low down on the stern and if you are fighting with gear change in a tight siuation you have your head down and your back to where you are going and can be tricky in marina situation etc.
Hope above is some help.
If you have any queries re Etap just shout

 

[ReggieK]

Sorry Boomshanka I didn't answer your tilting question.
The 5HP Honda Long shaft tilted well clear no problem, but the Johnson I am now using does not tilt clear. The problem is the transom which the top of the engine hits against. Some outboards like the Johnson have a rather bulbous engine cover, so the neater the better.
I think the likes of a Yamaha would probably be o.k.
Don't touch a Honda if you are given it for nothing!!!
Also be sure to get an outboard suitable as a sail drive, that can be locked in one position so you don't have to stop it from turning by itself

 

[smiala]

if not already then ask some of the other owners, the org provides contact details,


http://www.etapowners.org.uk/

 

[Boomshanka]

Thanks again for the advice, really helpful.