Jeanneau Sun 2000 outboard too small?

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jbridges

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Hi Everyone
Been a "watcher" for a while as I sail dinghies but am now seriously looking into buying a Jeanneau Sun 2000. Most excited as going to see it tomorrow evening at the broker.

I notice on the advert that it has a Mercury 4HP outboard included. This sounds very underpowered for the boat (LOA 21'9" and a weight of 2535 lbs / 1150 kgs)

What are other people's opinions on this engine size. Its probably OK for getting in and out of a berth, but what can I expect from it if I am caught out with no wind, or need to motor for one reason or another.

thanks in advance
James
 
my catamaran of similar weight would do 6knots with a 4hp outboard

if there is no wind, that's not a problem, if there is wind on the nose and a lumpy sea, then you are in trouble

but short of a much more powerfull engine any one would be having trouble getting home in poor conditions

a more powerfull engine is heavier, so your boat will sail less well and hobby horse more
 
Hi James
I sail an Etap 21i with a Honda 5HP 4 stroke. Has no trouble pushing along at 5 kts, never had any difficulties other than maneouvering in Marina, but that's because motor is set low down on Etap and to change gear you are leaning down and backwards and can't see where you are going. Don't think Sun2000 has engine as low. I think Etap may be a bit heavier than Jeanneau so you should have no trouble.
 
James
Another thing to consider is the bigger the engine the more of a problem it is for lifting on and off for service etc. The 5HP is the max I can lift off by myself and it is a bit of a job as my gelcoat will attest
 
A good friend of mine has a sun 2000 on which he uses the tohatsu 3.5 engine, OK I belive its a little underpowered especially in a situation against tide and strong wind, however in its praise we have been all the way across Lyme bay with this pushing it in no wind and it does the job, at around 4.5 knts.
 
I have a 4HP Yamaha on an 18 foot boat. I'll admit it is lighter than your prospective purchase.
I've never needed to open the throttle even more than half-way. If you do, you get more noise and vibration, but the boat's doing it's hull speed so that's your lot.
Plenty in hand to deal with a strong wind and you can't make way against a tide that's faster than your boat, so I'd say you'll be fine with that size.
 
Hello JimmyB,

I have a Sun 2000 with a Honda 5hp 4 stroke - very pleased with it, and no problems experienced with lack of power, but to be honest have not had to use the engine that much, as generally sail off the mooring and can sail straight up to the beach and drop/furl the sails just before you step off.

Be aware however that if you try motor sailing it only works on one tack, as the mounting pad is a fair distance off the centreline. Even with a long shaft, the prop gets lifted out of the water when heeled over on port tack.

PM me if you want more info on the boat - very pleased with ours.

Regards,
Mike
 
James,

I have a 22 foot Fox Terrier, which being a lot older than your boat, is considerably heavier. I have been driving it around with a 4HP, 4 Stroke Yamaha for a couple of years - no problems either in manouvering (which is where it gets fraught) or in belting along at 5kts in a flat calm. So, 4HP is good enough - as long as it is a long enough shaft!

Good luck.
 
thanks everyone for your replies.

I am going to look at the boat for the first time this afternoon.

kiddieduptoo I may just take up your offer to PM you, once I have seen the boat and I may have questions / comments / things that I find strange. It would then be great to run these by you.

Have a good Easter weekend everyone.

regards
James
 
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