On the subject of Outboards

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Wansworth

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My Dufour 24 came with Marina 8 hp which seems quite big hanging off the transome .With our marina berth within 40metres of open water It occurred to me a 6hp would be adequate .But before we go through all the kerfuffle of downsizing is there much real difference between an 8hp and a 6,would a six be easier to lift into the car fro example.
 
I think you will find the 8 hp a bit to much for you to lift, is it not bolted to the transom semi permanently? I had an 8 hp on my inflatable so I think it would be unwise and an unnecessary expense to downsize.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
I think you will find the 8 hp a bit to much for you to lift, is it not bolted to the transom semi permanently? I had an 8 hp on my inflatable so I think it would be unwise and an unnecessary expense to downsize.
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Yes it’s o a patent hoist arrangement which is ok.I was just pondering on a smaller engine like my father had on his day boat,an Evenrude thougherly it’s along time ago but it was liftable…….but I guess I was fitter in the 1960s,but thanks for your comment’8888
 
A 4hp would make you go along and be a lot lighter, but it might well not have the grunt to push your bows up into the wind. I tried both on or DF800, the 8 made it so much easier to manouvre. I was in my 40s then and the prospect of carrying it about, and swapping it on to the tender was not so daunting. And it did’t half make the tender fly🤣
 
Chiara’s slave said:
A 4hp would make you go along and be a lot lighter, but it might well not have the grunt to push your bows up into the wind. I tried both on or DF800, the 8 made it so much easier to manouvre. I was in my 40s then and the prospect of carrying it about, and swapping it on to the tender was not so daunting. And it did’t half make the tender fly🤣
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There are quite a few outboard propelled small yachts,Next time I am in the marina I will see what every one else has
 
A 3.5HP Tohatsu pushed my Snapdragon 24 along quite nicely in smooth water, but it was a short shaft, intended to power the tender, so it wasn't too good if things got bumpy. It would push us along into a F6, but it was a bit of work getting the bow back into the wind if it blew off. I doubt it would manage in F7 without bearing away to build up some momentum. Do they make a 3.5 long shaft? That might well do better, especially with a bigger, finer prop

My current 4T 3.5 is at least as heavy as I want to carry any distance, but is far more economical than the 2T, which is an easier carry.
 
Stemar said:
A 3.5HP Tohatsu pushed my Snapdragon 24 along quite nicely in smooth water, but it was a short shaft, intended to power the tender, so it wasn't too good if things got bumpy. It would push us along into a F6, but it was a bit of work getting the bow back into the wind if it blew off. I doubt it would manage in F7 without bearing away to build up some momentum. Do they make a 3.5 long shaft? That might well do better, especially with a bigger, finer prop

My current 4T 3.5 is at least as heavy as I want to carry any distance, but is far more economical than the 2T, which is an easier carry.
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I dont envisage sailing in F7……on the basis of snapdragon 24 we might get away with a 4hp
 
Fr J Hackett said:
Why are you contemplating lifting your outboard? If it’s for taking home and servicing everything you have told us to date would suggest that should you do that it might never run again.
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Yes historically you’re right😂……….I am like my late father in Law seen coming by the mechanic🙂 although he owned the first car in the village and ran a taxi service(un paid) he never grasped ,like me,the details of the internal combustion engine engine
 
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The old Yachting Monthly cover in the Barge Yachts threads shows the proper auxiliary power source for a small yacht. You would just need to get la esposa into the barquito
 
Wansworth said:
Ok thanks…….would there be a smaller engine
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I think that with some manufacturers, the 4hp and 5hp engines are effectively the same engines (certainly with 2 strokes) in the same way that the 6hp and 8hp versions often are. So, if the 4hp and the 5hp are effectively the same and you’re thinking of changing, why go for the lesser power for the same weight? My Yamaha 5hp weighs 21kg as against my 6hp (2 cylinder) which weighs 27kg. That’s a worthwhile weight saving on the back end and for lifting off. Do you plan on using a remote fuel tank? Fittings for attaching these are often fitted on 4hp upwards, but the smaller outboards don’t offer this option. If you don’t need a remote tank, then any one of the Mariner 3.3/Mercury 3.3/Tohatsu 3.5 (they’re all basically the same engine) would probably do you for getting in and out of the marina and they weigh in at about 13.5kg.

All the above refers to 2 strokes. My experiences with small 4 strokes haven’t been great, but those have been in the 2.3 and 2.5hp range.
 
Goldie said:
I think that with some manufacturers, the 4hp and 5hp engines are effectively the same engines (certainly with 2 strokes) in the same way that the 6hp and 8hp versions often are. So, if the 4hp and the 5hp are effectively the same and you’re thinking of changing, why go for the lesser power for the same weight? My Yamaha 5hp weighs 21kg as against my 6hp (2 cylinder) which weighs 27kg. That’s a worthwhile weight saving on the back end and for lifting off. Do you plan on using a remote fuel tank? Fittings for attaching these are often fitted on 4hp upwards, but the smaller outboards don’t offer this option. If you don’t need a remote tank, then any one of the Mariner 3.3/Mercury 3.3/Tohatsu 3.5 (they’re all basically the same engine) would probably do you for getting in and out of the marina and they weigh in at about 13.5kg.

All the above refers to 2 strokes. My experiences with small 4 strokes haven’t been great, but those have been in the 2.3 and 2.5hp range.
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Thanks.Its all abit up in the air at present .The 8hp Marina attached to the boat was impossible to start on Sunday so thought turned to a new smaller engine but the previous owner is going to pop round to investigate the problem..One problem is he is a big beefy sailer who can pull the living daylight of the eight .Hopefully I can when it’s adjusted but my fall back position would be a lighter motor and atrae in the eight for that.
 
Wansworth said:
Thanks.Its all abit up in the air at present .The 8hp Marina attached to the boat was impossible to start on Sunday so thought turned to a new smaller engine but the previous owner is going to pop round to investigate the problem..One problem is he is a big beefy sailer who can pull the living daylight of the eight .Hopefully I can when it’s adjusted but my fall back position would be a lighter motor and atrae in the eight for that.
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It really shouldn't take that much effort to pull the cord if that's what you are saying. If so you might be the problem but if you can pull the recoil start cord then a few lessons on how to start it and avoid flooding it is all you need or at worst case it just needs a service.. If you can't pull it to start it then a smaller engine isn't going to help you.
 
I'm running a Yamaha 4hp on my Sun 2000 (circa 1.5 ton). It's adequate, just, but not enough for anything except benign conditions. I'm considering going up to a 6hp. I would suggest your 24 may well be heavier, so your 8 hp sounds like the right engine to me.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
It really shouldn't take that much effort to pull the cord if that's what you are saying. If so you might be the problem but if you can pull the recoil start cord then a few lessons on how to start it and avoid flooding it is all you need or at worst case it just needs a service.. If you can't pull it to start it then a smaller engine isn't going to help you.
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Surely a smaller outboard would start with less effort?
 
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