Outboard for a duette

S

Simon_

New Member
Joined
6 Oct 2009
Messages
10
Visit site
I am strongly considering buying a Duette (possibly a horizon 23) but am unsure what size outboard we should be looking for.

We sail from a strong tidal estuary so I guess this needs to be taken into consideration.

Would a 6Hp saildrive seem a reasonable size?
 
I use a 6 hp on a 19 foot boat. Its more than adequate for that but I think I would want larger on a 23 footer. 8 Hp may be large enough and you may find, depending on make, not significantly heavier than a 6.
You need enough power to be able to get up to the maximum hull speed even against a strong head wind if you have strong tides to contend with.

I'd recommend a long shaft engine so that the prop can be put deeper than would be possible with a standard shaft or you'll find that in a chop the prop will keep coming out of the water as the boat pitches and you make no forward progress. Ideally too an engine with a fine pitch prop suitable for a slow moving displacement hull. At one time some outboard manufacturers produced "sail" versions ... that's the sought of thing you should be looking for
 
Last edited:
I used to run a fleet of Sonatas (the single keel version of the Duette). I used 4 and 5hp motors which were quite adequate.
 
Probably I'm being stupid, but if say a 6hp is large enough for the boat to reach maximum hull speed then (with the exception of punching through large waves) what would be the need for anything larger?
 
I have a Horizon 23 and trust me you NEED a 8hp if you are pushing into a heavy tide and a headwind. You should also get a high thrust prop as well ( 7x9)
 
Probably I'm being stupid, but if say a 6hp is large enough for the boat to reach maximum hull speed then (with the exception of punching through large waves) what would be the need for anything larger?
Click to expand...

To be able to reach max hull speed, or at least nearly so, against a strong wind and the resultant waves.

If the engine turns out to be too small you are stuffed. If it turns out to be larger than necessary, like mine, you just run it a smaller throttle opening when full power is not required.

As I said earlier weight is a big consideration. My 6 hp (2 stroke ) at 27.4 kg is a lot heavier than I would like .. over the years it seems to have got a lot heavier than it was ... at least at one time I could lift it on and off the bracket .. now I fit it while still on dry land at the start of the season and there it stays until we are hauled out again in the Autumn.
 
I had a long-shaft 4hp on my Sonata, and it was fine -- gave me just over 5kts. But an extra long shaft would have been better
I doubt whether doubling the power would have given me much more speed, but a longer shaft would have kep the prop in the water eeven when there was someone on the foredeck!
BUT it had a fine pitch prop with big round blades (like Mickey-Mouse's ears): I noticed that other Sonatas with 4hp engines were significantly slower -- and I reckon it's because they had standard props.
 
I too had a Sonata, years ago! We had an Ailsa Craig 4 (4hp) long shaft as the outboard - we cruised the south coast and cross channel with it with no real problems.
 
Just had a look on the Hunter Association website forum and it appears that Hunter recommended a 5hp. Most of the replies in that forum refer to either a 5hp or 6hp, nothing bigger. This may be due to weight and also the possibility that a bigger engine might not fit in the outboard well, particularly as the new 4-stokes are bigger that the 2-strokes that were around when the Duette was built.

Might be worth a post on the Hunter Assoc forum under the Sonata/Duette heading:

http://www.hunterassociation.org.uk/site/index.php

If you are not a member and/or can't access the forum, I'm happy to do it for you and forward any response.
 
davewarburton said:
Just had a look on the Hunter Association website forum and it appears that Hunter recommended a 5hp. Most of the replies in that forum refer to either a 5hp or 6hp, nothing bigger. This may be due to weight and also the possibility that a bigger engine might not fit in the outboard well, particularly as the new 4-stokes are bigger that the 2-strokes that were around when the Duette was built.
Click to expand...

Aha! an interesting point I had forgotten there. The Sonata had a transom-mounted sliding bracket whereas the Duette has the outboard in a well. The shaft length can be a problem with the Sonata because of lifting out in a chop.That problem will be less with a well-mounted motor but also the longer shaft may be a problem of fit.

Any Duette owners care to comment on how the motor fits in the well and how it is raised and lowered?
 
I used to have a Duette - lovely boat. She came with a 5 hp Honda. You may be limited by the size of the well and would need to check a larger one would fit. Also it may be much heavier to lift out; the engine is fitted into a tapered housing which slides into the well. I used to lift the engine out of the well when the boat was not in use to avoid fouling and corrosion; it was OK to lift it down into a designed place for stowage in the cabin below the cockpit. A heavier engine would need more strength.

In strong winds you really do need to sail because 5 hp is very slow on its own pushing against a F6 even in smooth water.
 
Modern 4 stroke engines are much heavier than the good old 2 strokes.My 8 hp Honda on our 25 foot yacht lives permanently on its transom bracket.Lifting it on or off the bracket single handed is possible but only just ,Im not superman but not a weakling either.

We had a 4 hp 4 stroke Suzuki on an Anderson 22 it was adequate giving about 5 knots in calm water,Personally I would go for a 6hp for a cruising Sonata or a 4 hp if you intend to race a lot.

A saildrive prop makes a huge difference at manouvering speeds the prop grips the water much better giving you better control berthing in marinas etc.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top