outboard question for cp-19

[DOUG142]

Our com-pac 19 came with a Evinrude 4.5 hp
Was wondering what upgrade a person would recommed in this area?  Looking at a 8 hp electric start 20 inch shaft.
Your opinions are wanted.
Doug

[Billy]

8 horses is too big. You'll never be able to pull it up either.

4-6 hp is what com-pac recomends for the 19. I wish I had a  longshaft. The prop comes out when I go up to the mast or forward.

[DOUG142]

oKAY WITH THAT, BUT i WOULD REALLY WANT AN ELECTRIC START.
They don't make them with electric start smaller than 8 hp.
doug

[Potcake boy]

Doug,

Electric starts usually come with lighting coil/rectifier.  For marketing reasons often a de-powered version will not offer these upgrades but can be retrofitted if it's the same power head.  I think more at issue between 6 and 8 hp will be the engine weight, as that seems to be the dividing line between the one and two cylinder power heads.  I use a 2003 Yamaha 6hp which is the same 2 cylinder powerhead as the 8hp, but with fewer optional configurations so I retrofitted a rectifier.  The newer Yamaha 6hp is now a single cylinder.  So perhaps you should consider engine weight more than horse power. Mine comes in at just under 90# and the boat is on her lines just fine, in fact the 19 carries weight in the stern better than most.  Of course I modified my bracket so that I draw it up with a four part system from a seated position in the cockpit.  I love my 2 cylinder Yamaha and it moves the boat along at half throttle very smoothly and quietly.  I'm confident it could be retrofitted with electric start but it almost always starts on the first or second pull.  I also fitted a dual thrust prop which helps tons when in reverse.

I'm not sure but I believe most of the current batch under 8hp are made by Tohatsu and sold under several brand names. They seem to be less sophisticated and less expensive.  Check on availability of options and retrofits for your choice.  Remember - if it's a de-powered version of another powerhead then practically all the parts are interchangeable.

Ron

[botelerr]

Doug, I bought my 19 with a 4 HP Suzuki, but on the Mississippi is was not enough for the current. I traded for a 9.9 old electric start Johnson [1972] . Others here are right, at 87 lbs it is a real efffort to raise it up. I don't have anything other than the stock bracket. I did call the Hutchins to check and see if the 19 could handle the 9.9..I would stay with a 50 to 60 lbs 6 HP . get a good one with a pull start....Rob

[Caboose]

8 HP on a 19' boat? Add to that the weight as well. I know some of you people have to deal with tides and/or river flow. I have strong tides in my area (Lower Chesapeake Bay), but I've seen many of 25-30 boats with only a 4-6 HP. They want to keep the weight down as much as they can. Granted, electric start and recharching is nice, but don't depend on it. A solar charger from Wally World and a manual 4 is fine for me.

[Craig Weis]

5 hp two cycle short shaft. I don't need anything more. 53 lb hung on the transom is enough.

skip.

[peckg]

I have the Nissan (Tohatsu is the same engine with a different decal) 6 hp 4 stroke long shaft on my 19.  I have the retrofit lighting coil/rectifier which I have not yet installed.  I am very pleased but envious of my brother who has a 19 also and on my advice, bought the Nissan 6hp 4 stroke sail shaft (extra long) which comes with the lighting coil/rectifier.  The biggest difference is that my prop porpoises out with swells when I go forward to monkey with the jib.

[Salty19]

Doug-

You're looking at 83lbs for a 2 stroke, electric start 8hp motor or 90+lbs for a 4 stroke at the minimum.  Way too much weight.  I can lift that weight but wouldn't want to very often.   Certainly manuevering that type of motor into the truck or around the garage /ramp would be a real pain in a rear. 

Sure you can press a button to start it, but you'll be wrestling with raising it on the mount,  installing it, storing, servicing, etc. Not worth the benefit of the elec start.  With that much weight, I would never leave it on while trailering either.  So you'll be wrestiling with it more. Also consider that CP19's came with one of two motor mount types.  The aluminum versions have a weaker spring than the HD stainless versions.   Mine is the HD version and with a 60lb motor (Yamaha 8hp 2 stroke/2 cylinder long shaft manual start)--raising it up is still many times more effort than pull starting it.  No way I would add more weight than this. Don't get me wrong the 60lb motor is not difficult to tilt or anything but certainly a lot more work than just starting it--which is VERY easy. Much easier than the Nissan (aka Tohatsu) 6hp 4 stroke single cylinder that came with the boat.  I only upsized because the Nissan vibrated real badly and didn't have much oomph either and was straining to push the boat (not to mention I just didn't trust the thing). I probably needed a different prop though.    Boat trim is fine with the 60lb motor.

I'm thinking you'll soon regret the convenience of elec start when you have to raise it out of the water or taking it off for trailering, servicing, etc. 

Definitely get the long shaft (20") if you upgrade.

[Greene]

I'm with Salty19 on this one.  We also have the 8 HP (Mariner) and it is heavy.  Putting it on and off the mount is not an easy one-handed affair.  If I had the choice (i.e. Brenda would give me the checkbook) I would go for a 5 HP 2 cycle.

I also found it difficult to raise the motor from the cockpit while leaning over the transom.  I added a small lanyard to the handle of the mount which made it quite a bit easier to lift the weight up.  Now I can reach over the sternrail, reach down and pull up without having the mainsheet and sternrail in my way.

Mike

[Bob23]

I'm just gonna throw out some opinions because I can't keep my mouth shut:
   I like 2 strokes: Lighter, less moving parts, and- gee whiz- how hard is it to mix a little oil with your gas anyway? My 1988 8hp Nissan 2 cylinder starts on the first pull every time. It has a charging circuit but, having a solar charger on "Koinonia", I don't use it. I don't know how heavy it is: I only remove it in the fall- it stays locked on the boat all summer and I've had no theft problems. God help the person who messes with my Compac.
   I used to like the idea of 4 stokes- cleaner, quieter and no fuel to mix. These days I lean toward simplicity and less maintenance. In the grand scheme of things, my 2 stroke  outboard ain't really polluting much at all. I only use about 6 gallons of fuel a summer. I'll live with a little noise and smoke. It's an engine after all, guys.
   KEEP IT SIMPLE!
   Bob23 the simpleton

[DOUG142]

Thanks ALL for the input.
After reading your opinions and also pricing a new motor, we have decided to keep the Evinrude 4.5 ...2 stroke and just get a tune up or whatever it takes to make it reliable.
Thanks again,
Doug

[peckg]

My 6 hp Nissan 4-stoke (quiet, clean, and always starts) with a 20 in shaft only weighs 57 lbs. The extra long 25 inch shaft is rated at 59 lbs. There have been times in stiff currents that I have been glad I had all 6 horses swimming for me!

[doug]

Since Doug has already made up his mind I shouldn't say anything. However, in my household, my better half had difficulty in pulling our 4hp to get it started. If there is a need for electric start I'd go with the additional weight rather than not having a craft your wife can single hand (as was our case). Its another case of do what works to get you out sailing.

[Salty19]

Doug142-

Two things that will help a lot.

1.) New spark plugs
2.) Thorough fuel system (tank, lines, filter, carb) cleaning.

Are you testing the engine with muffs or in a pale of water?  Also are you useing FRESH gas? What's wrong with it?