New Kicker for an Old Guy

[Bristol14]

I'm in the process of buying a 4 year old Yamaha 9.9 hp outboard for Mudlark, my 23 MK II.  It's replacing a '97 2 stroke Evinrude with remote controls. The new to me Yamaha is also a remote model, plus it has an electric start and power trim and tilt. I know it weighs more than the old Evinrude, but I've lost 40+ lbs in the last year so I've rationalized that I've compensated for the weight increase of the Yamaha. I also plan to move my battery forward and will likely add another so the extra weight balances the added outboard weight.

Yamaha has always been my kicker of choice due to their reliability. More importantly, I'm excited about extending my sailing years by eliminating having to hoist up the engine when not in use and yanking on the pull starter.

Has anyone added a similar outboard to their 23 and if so, any suggestions or tips? I searched the archives but didn't see much about this kind of addition. I'm particularly interested in what kind of modifications I'll need to make to the motor mount.  Thx.

[Finbar Beagle]

My brother had a Yamaha 9.9 with remote throttle and electric start.  It was a great engine.  Unfortunately, the boat was a sad design, an Essex 26, with fore & aft cabins and center cockpit.  The engine sat in a well behind the wheel concealed by a helmsman box/seat.  Always with prop in water

It was a great party barge, but a very poor sailing machine.  His had a shoal keel, but was missing the centerboard.  Enough said.

The engine was a true workhorse, and outlasted the boat by many years.  Sorry I can help from the Compac perspective.

[brackish]

In the process or done deal?  There is plenty in the archives about outboards on a 23.  My advice if it is not a done deal, don't do it.  I removed a 9.9 four stroke Suzuki with electric start from my 23, lost about 40 lbs. on the moment arm back there, boat sailed better, didn't squat, and didn't ship water up the scuppers.  Replaced it with a 6 hp sail pro.  The first time I raised the sailpro with the mount I nearly fell back into the cockpit it was so easy to raise compared to the 9.9.  It does not have electric start but the pull crank is so easy to use that it is not a problem.  The Suzuki took two people to remove for towing, I can remove and remount the sail pro by myself.  And I'm and old guy too, 71 and already don't weigh but 170.

[Bristol14]

Done deal...
I seriously considered a Sailpro, but
-my experience with Tohatsu is that they are prone to hard starting, ethanol issues, vibration and noise. Not so with Yamaha, in my experience.
-the Yamaha 9.9 is a twin cylinder so will be smoother and quieter (like my 8 hp Evinrude)
-my boat has a remote throttle and it's much easier to use when I drop sail, approaching a dock or my mooring. Tohatsu doesn't offer this option on a Sailpro

My only concern is the modifications I'll need to make to the engine mount, e.g. reinforcing the transom, replacing the mount with something newer and more sturdy, increasing the distance between the mount and engine to accommodate the power trim and tilt, etc.

[brackish]

Done deal...
I seriously considered a Sailpro, but
-my experience with Tohatsu is that they are prone to hard starting, ethanol issues, vibration and noise. Not so with Yamaha, in my experience.
-the Yamaha 9.9 is a twin cylinder so will be smoother and quieter (like my 8 hp Evinrude)
-my boat has a remote throttle and it's much easier to use when I drop sail, approaching a dock or my mooring. Tohatsu doesn't offer this option on a Sailpro

My only concern is the modifications I'll need to make to the engine mount, e.g. reinforcing the transom, replacing the mount with something newer and more sturdy, increasing the distance between the mount and engine to accommodate the power trim and tilt, etc.

You are right it will be smoother because of the two cylinders.  But my Tohatsu (mine is actually a Nissan, but same thing) starts on the first pull if it has been running within 24 hours, takes two if it has been sitting for a week or two, maybe five if it has been sitting for a month or better.  And unless your Yamaha has fuel injection, it like all small carb four strokes are subject to ethanol issues and many other issues (dirt dauber dust for instance) plugging those tiny ports in the carbs.  And it would be nice to have remote throttle, I sent an email to those folks who make the one that attaches to the tiller, never heard back from them. 

If your mount is a Garelick stainless steel it is probably good for the weight of the Yahama.  You can call them and ask about it, they are very customer oriented.  But surely might need to reinforce the attachment point.

[Bristol14]

I considered the tiller device but based on things I read here and elsewhere,  I decided not to pursue.

I've owned several different brands of outboards for dinghys. Not sure why, but the Yamaha on my current dinghy and the one I had on my previous sailboat (Cape Dory Typhoon) never had carburetor issues. So I've decided to stick with them.

Thx for the suggestion on a motot mount. The current one is probably 20 or 30 yrs old