Honda BF2 for a CP 16

[Bill CP16 2250]

Anyone use a Honda 2 hp outboard on their CP16?  I like the idea of a 4 stroke, integral tank, light weight and low noise level.  But does it have sufficient thrust for maneuvering into and out of ramps, dock space etc especially if there is a good breeze or power boat wake.  I currently have an Evinrude 4 hp which has plenty of power but is especially noisy.

[Craig]

Bill,

I have an old Johnson 2 hp on my 16.  Works just fine for getting in and out of ramp areas, and I have used it to motor directly into 20+ mph winds.  I didn't make good time, but I got where I needed to go.  For inland use (no currents or tides) 2 hp should be fine.  I also have to believe the new Hondas have a better prop and get more out of the 2 hp than Johnson did in 1979.

Where do you sail near Wadsworth?  I do most of my sailing out of Celina, OH.  A bit west of you.

Craig

[Bill CP16 2250]

Craig:

Thanks for the input.  Gut feel was that 2 hp is adequate but wanted confirmation.  I rarely go over half throttle with my Evinrude 4.  Light and quiet are very important to me.  I've heard of folks using electric trolling motors too but I have not really looked at that option in depth.  

I primarily sail at Atwood lake.  25 hp limit, many sailboats and very good ramps.  Occasionally, western basin of lake Erie.  Particular favorites are Marblehead and Sandusky Bay.  Have sailed at Pymatuming (10 hp limit) and thoroughly enjoyed it.  I typically single hand my CP 16 so ramps and power boat traffic are a big influence on where I sail.  

Bill

[CaptK]

Wadsworth?! Wow... memories...

I have had family live there and in the area. Grandma and Grandpa were the first people to live year-round out on Portage Lakes (back in 1926 - the house is on Point Comfort on Turkeyfoot Lk, down the road from the golf course clubhouse), my godparents and cousins lived in Wadsworth proper, and Ma and Pa went to Coventry High, back in the '50's. I'll be up there in October for my cousins wedding.

Have been boating out there on the Portage Lakes. Made me glad for the unfettered and wide open watery areas here.

[Bill CP16 2250]

CaptK:

I have sailed on Turkeyfoot Lake a couple of times.  The lake however is basically a NASCAR (NASBOAT) race as the overpowered speed boats race in the circular speed lanes.  The time to sail is in September & October on Sunday afternoons.  The power boaters are watching the Browns play leaving the speed lanes open for the sailors.

Who are your godparents & cousins?  I've lived in Wadsworth most of my life.

Bill

[Gil Weiss]

Bill,

Based on personal observation, I know for a fact that the Honda 2HP 4 stroke will work well on your CP16. I had a Tohatsu 4HP 4stroke originally on my CP16 and felt is was more power and much more weight than I needed. I then narrowed my choice of a new motor down to either a Tohatsu 3.5 Hp 2 stroke(with neutral shift) or the Honda 2hp 4 stroke. I decided on the Tohatsu as it is a very simple and reliable engine. It has worked great all season. It is just about broken in now with about 4.5 hours on it. Last Saturday it pushed me very well through chop and 15 - 20 mph wind. I am sure the Honda is a good motor too. The Honda has lots of torque which is good for a heavy boat like a CP16. I especially like the aircooling on the honda  - no more impellors to be concerned about.

Both of the above motors are light weight so they do not lower the transom. Let us know how the honda works out . . .

[multimedia_smith]

I use a MinnKota 55 lb thrust trolling motor (the strongest available before going to 24 volts).  I went out this week in 20 -25 winds and not only was it enough to get from the launch ramp to beyond the breakwater but it was enough for my 6yr old daughter to keep it pointed into the wind for me to raise the sails (I had the motor locked down straight ahead and she was using the tiller with the new IDA foil rudder).
The thing I really like about the trolling motor is that upon our return... when I dump the sails... I KNOW that it WILL START right when we need it.
We can load it into the back of the van without risking any gas smell or spill and the use on the battery for our two runs (out & in) is minimal.  When back in the garage, we simply hook up the charger and we're ready to go again tomorrow.
Also I like the weight distribution... I went with long runs of #3 wire from the bow compartment to the rear to keep the weight up front.  For the connections I attached the leads to bolts inside the stern compartment and drilled two holes through the upper rear side of the cockpit and attached the other ends with copper washers and wing nuts.  To completely waterproof the contacts... I drilled through the bottom of a small tupperware container and ran the bolts through into the container.  The washers and wing nuts fit inside the container and I put the cover on to wash the boat or when the motor is not attached.  I'll post some pics when I get a chance... it's a really clean operation though.  I ran the wires under the wood in the bow and then under the side of the seating area and then down the side of the bunk between the styrofoam and the bed area to the foot.

[multimedia_smith]

I have been doing great with the 55lb electric, but am interested in going to some of the islands offshore from the Mississippi Gulf Coast  (6 - 12 miles) and thought I might need something with a little more range (although I just replaced my battery with a Lifeline AMG sealed deep cycle).  So I got the search down to the 3.5 Tohatsu and the Honda 2hp.
I like the idea of the 360 turning ability and the same (28lb) weight.
Ultimately.. I went to a marine store where they had both the short shaft new and a long shaft (in for maintenance) on hand.  I mounted both to the boat and tried the tilt to observe clearances and depth.
Definitely the long shaft... you should turn it sideways when cranked up to provide extra clearance for the running gear.

Just picked up my special order Honda 2hp long shaft yesterday.... can't wait to try it this weekend (and also a night sail for the lunar eclipse on my 54th birthday next week on the 27th).  
I was surprised to know that it DOES have and impellor though... they said it isn't something that requires annual replacement though.
A performance report to come... although I won't be able to open it up untill it is broken in (10 hrs operation) .

[wmswart]

Bill - A friend has the Honda motor you speak of and I've used it on my 16 just to see how it would work.  As far as propulsion goes, it had plenty to keep the boat moving in inland waters.  However, the shaft wasn't really long enough.  I have an adjustable mount, and even with it in the lowest position, the prop would come out of the water unless both of us were in the aft thrid of the cockpit.  One in the cockpit and one on the foredeck and the prop wouldn't stay in the water (both of us go about 200 pounds, btw.)

If I were shopping for an outboard, the shaft length would concern me.

[Vince]

I use the 3.5 Nissan on my 16.  I usually run 1/2 throttle, and this is enough power even in stiff winds.  It has the neutral option, and I belive it makes starting and warming up the little engine very easy.  When I go out for a weekend, I tow a ten foot flatbottom with me for fishing and diving.  I purchased the same outboard for it as well.  I think Honda builds a better motor, and it has less vibration.  But all motors are only as good as you take care of them.  Neither motor has ever failed to start and run good.

[multimedia_smith]

I waited on a special order LONG SHAFT version of the Honda BF2hp 4stroke and I have been using it for several weeks now and have this to report.
What I really like is the centrifugal clutch... it works great for "nudging" up to the landing.  Also the 360 swivel works great for maneuvering.  It has more than enough power to attain hull speed at just over half throttle.
We went out day before yesterday in really strong winds and it was more than enough to go against wind and waves... I tried several settings on the "angle" and found that having it tilted slightly backward of level seems to push up on the rear and help the boat level out as opposed to digging the stern in with it exactly level and perpendicular.
I love the light weight... at 28 lbs it seems almost lighter than my MinKota 55lb electric.  (I just changed to a Lifeline AGM leakproof battery and went with the group 24  for less weight rather than the group 27 I had up front previously).  It seems so light that I have been leaving it mounted on the boat to trailer... I have a safety rope to the rudder mounts just in case and for a near future project I plan to add a thick aluminum backing plate inside the transom... ( I have this big thick piece of aluminum "stock" in the garage now since getting my Ida foil rudder).
All in all the new motor works great... the only drawback is the introduction of motor noise.  After using an electric, it was kind of a shock,  but it is really nice to have the confidence of the extra power should I need to come home in a hurry against the wind and the longer range has opened up the possibility of venturing out of the lake to the Gulf barrier islands (I just got the Uniden VHF/GPS combo unit so I'm pretty much good to go).
By the way I got the tiny (one gallon) gas tank and it fits nicely outside of the transom between the swim ladder bars when folded up.  This gets the gas outside the boat yet accessible.  It will cruise for almost an hour on the quart internal tank so, with the small tank, we have about 5hrs running time total... that should be more than enough for any "day sail" :roll: .

[finchm]

I am having trouble finding someone willing to just sell me an engine.  Those willing to sell me one seem to want a HUGE amount of money for one.  Who has a good price on these?

[ilbuildit]

   I can't help you with where to find a good price on a motor, but in case you don't know this, the price on any outboard motor is "Stupid" money. Meaning very expensive. My Tohatsu 3.5 to replace with comparable is like $750.00 and my Honda 5.0 4 stroke is something like $1200.00. These are pure guesses but I believe I am in the ballpark. Outboards are just plain "HUGE" money...

           Lee...

[jaybird]

how about " the best outboard for the world" (british seagulls). 
they almost always run, can run on just about anything. have lots of character,
are cheap and make lots of noise and smoke ( kind of like riding an old motorcycle).

Jay

[Craig Weis]

As they say...you never pay too much. Only buy too soon.

As for hp per pound, and hp per cu in [cu cc]...with exception of model aeroplane motors nothing compairs to the output of an outboard. I have a 0.56 cu in plane motor that makes 1.34 hp at 14,000 rpm. Wow! Watch the fingers.

And with the technology of 'moving water' it generally takes three pounds of thrust to move one pound through the water. This is why you will never see something like an automatic or manual shift transmission attached to any motor pushing water. So enjoy whatever outboard you are lucky enough to have. skip.