What size engine for Pandora 700

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Binman

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Hi, I might have to buy a new engine for my boat, At the moment I have a yamaha 9.9 HP high thrust electric start, with remote, it will need to be an ultra long shaft type, but do I need such a big engine? I would prefer to still charge the battery, also I would need to be able to travel quite a distance at times with engine only.the engine is mounted in a well in the cockpit. I don't think it would be a good idea to lower the height of the Transom so I can fit just a long shaft. My engine is a 9.9 AE 1997, it is with a repairer at the moment possible carb problem, carb has been ultra sonic cleaned twice, But Still bogging down on excelleration. Been told it isn't the pump or the electro valve, so they are waiting for a similair engine to come in for repair so they can swope the carbs over, so they know for sure it is the carb. The carb is a 6G8 to replace costs £450 pounds plus the service I've had. So I'm really stuck been waiting 2months, likely to be next spring before they get a rush of engines in for service, I intend to take my boat out by end of March for minor work. At the moment can't get it off and back to mooring, thought a 6Hp two stroke might do, long shaft? Keep it on the boat as a back up, it could lay on one of the aft bunks.
 
My old Westerly 25 had a 9.9 Johnson & it was plenty big enough for that, so a 6 sounds better for yours. Don't expect much in the way of charging capability off any outboard, a solar panel would be better as it works even while she is sitting on the mooring. I never had my outboard on long enough to recharge the batteries, I simply reduced the amount of power I took out of them as much as I could. Which brings the point that a manual pull start is perfectly manageable with a 6hp ob.
 
" thought a 6Hp two stroke might do, long shaft?"

Yes - but a precaution might be to take two heavy friends with you. They should sit on the transom to keep the propellor immersed.
First time I tried this with a too-short shaft - the prop. came out of the water when I went forward !!!
ken
 
I have found anything between 6 and 9.8 hp in long or standard shaft worked fine on a similar 24 foot boat with an outboard well. Use a high thrust or sail drive prop if possible. You will get a maximum charge rate of 6 amps per hour from most Obs of this size and this is at full revs!
 
My old Pegasus came with a ropey 9.9 Mercury. Lots of weight and a huge drag in the water.

I changed it for a 2006 Mercury 2-stroke longshaft 4hp sailmate. Light enough to lift (but water still 'slooshes' around in the well) and still moved the boat to hull speed. It even charges your battery enough to use NASA instruments, VHF and LED lights sparingly.

The next improvement is to make a plug for the well: it'll make the boat plenty faster.
 
Old Rhodie said:
" thought a 6Hp two stroke might do, long shaft?"

Yes - but a precaution might be to take two heavy friends with you. They should sit on the transom to keep the propellor immersed.
First time I tried this with a too-short shaft - the prop. came out of the water when I went forward !!!
ken
Click to expand...

Yes, but this will happen with any boat of this size. Better stop the engine and then run forward when berthing...
 
If your present engine is ' bogging down on acceleration ' that says to me it's over-propped, nothing to do with the carb.

It's possible to trim props yourself, just do it in small stages and make sure to keep it even.

If you do change engines 4-5 hp would be fine, I have motored my Anderson 22 across the Channel happily with 4hp; there's usually a little wind, and passage speeds of 5 knots + are quite normal.

I've heard good things about the Tohatsu 6hp, but it's still VERY heavy; if you could get a Mariner or Yamaha 4-5 hp two stroke in good condition, with remote tank and charging coil, you'd be astounded how relatively light it is, your back and the boat would be very grateful...
 
Used to own a Pandora International driven by a 2 stroke 5hp Mariner never had a problem with it and it drove the boat well.

As others have said the right prop and it's depth is important.

The Pandora also came with it's original engine which first owner stopped using because he kept putting the boat on the East Coast putty and it didn't have reverse - - - It sits in my garage to this day and gets started once a year when I service current No1 outboard - it usually starts second or third pull - then first time every time and purrs away - - it's that wonder of wonders a Seagull Silver Century - the one with the clutch - it's a bit of a monster.

One of them will be deep enough and have plenty of umph - - only joking !
 
I have a Tohatsu 6hp sailpro ultra long shaft as a spare for the Volvo inboard on my 23 footer. quite often use the Tohatsu on tick over when motor sailing as is so much more peaceful than the clatter of the inboard.

cant recommended it enough, good on fuel, pushes boat to hull speed and ultra long model stays deep in a average chop
 
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