Which outborder for the 16?

[Ludwig]

hello sailors,

since my new (used) CP 16 comes without engine i have to buy an outboarder and millions of questions arise. I have no experience with this stuff, I sailed yachts with inboard diesel and small boats without engine, my only experience is a yacht dinghi with an enerving little 2 stroke which never ran when it should and stank when it ran.

I learned already that a long shaft is a must. That a 2 stroke is cheaper, lighter and has simpler technology which is easier to handle than a 4 stroke, but is louder and needs more gas.

Most important question left: how many hp do you need when you want to sail coastal waters (baltic) and maybe sometime have to go back in the harbour against wind and waves?

Next is the weight. Is a motor with 4-5 hp and a weight of 20-25 kg (40-50 lbs) to heavy for the boat, so the aft section will sink into the water and the water stream cannot flow/separate correctly from/under the aft section? (i don´t know the correct words, but i hope you understand what i mean;-)

Any input welcome!

Ludwig

[NormD]

I did quite a bit of research and ended up with a Yamaha 2.5HP LS 4 stroke.
It has a forward/neutral control so the engine can be started and run without the boat moving.
For reverse, you simply rotate the O/B 180 degrees.
I believe the weight is 37lb (17kg)
I liked the Honda BF2 but it doesn't offer the forwrd neutral control. There is a Honda BF2 with centrifugal clutch but only in short shaft.

[Paul]

I bought a Honda four stroke 5 hp, used and deeply discounted just after I purchased my cp-16.  It was difficult to handle at 40 pounds while placing it on the boat.  You are correct regarding the balance of the boat; she'll squat in the water.  Sold it this year and with that money purchased a new Honda BF2.  At 27 pounds, it's a lot easier to handle and maintains proper balance.  It has the centrifigal clutch and is a short shaft.  Very large boat wakes will elevate the prop out of the water, but I have a feeling that it would happen to the long shaft, too.  The wakes could be that big.  Seems to me that steep waves/chop 2 feet and higher will cause the prop to air out on any outboard that will reasonably fit the cp-16, no matter the body of water (lake or sea).  So, I'd recommend purchasing an outboard weighing less than 35 pounds you can have serviced locally.  Also, consider the prop pitch options available at the dealer.  If it's safe to be on the water, 2 horses will get you where you need to go.

[Gil Weiss]

I had and got rid of a Tohatsu 4 HP 4 stroke . . .too heavy at 57 lbs. I bough t 3.5 Tohatsu long shaft with forward and neutral. Works great and only weighs 27 lbs. These good little motors are also sold under the Mercury and Nissan names. In my opinion they have ample power for the CP16.

[Ludwig]

Thanks for the input!

So you recommend between 2 and 3.5 hp. And 2 should be enough, as You say. Could you give away where you are sailing? Inland lakes or coast? My scenario is waves up to 4-5 ft and 6 beaufort "on the nose". The little Honda 4 stroke seems to be fascinating, but i doubt it can handle that.

Best
Ludwig

[NormD]

Ludwig

I would recommend that you go with a long shaft outboard first of all, regardless of which make.
The 2HP Honda is surprisingly powerful and the 2.5 Yamaha even more so. No harm in going with the light weight 3.5 Tohatsu though if it makes you feel more comfortable.
We have weather like you mention, and worse, on Lake Erie and I have had no handling problems with a previous 22 footer which weighed 3000lb and used a 7.5HP Honda.

[LittleWing]

I put a Merc 3.3 on mine with great results.
I had better luck when I realized that the idle adjustment was too high...I had to replace the broken shear pin nearly every outing before I adjuasted the idle down.
The Merc 3.3 also has a forward/neutral selection.
It takes just a little bit to get used to docking as you will have to spin the motor around to slow the boat.
I had to modify my transom's motor mount so it would allow the motor to fully drop and latch. A little machining was necessary.
I have a 1986 model.

[Gil Weiss]

The Merc 3.3 is the same as made by Tohatsu.  Essentially the same as a Tohasu (or Nissan 3.5) Great little motor.

Dealers sell a stainless steel shear pin for these motors since the brass ones are very soft and break very easily. I switched to the stainless one almost two years ago. The brass ones break on their own (without hitting anything) which can be a problem if it happens at a bad time. The good news is that this motor is light enough to bring it on board to replace the pin.

I lake sail but have had to come in against 25 mph wind with a good chop and the the 3.5 made fine headway at 1/2 throttle.

[Craig]

I have an old 2 hp 2 stroke Johnson. It does just fine for the kind of sailing I do, which is protected inland lakes. It's always gotten me back in any weather I've been in. My suggestion is go as light and little as you are comfortable with. My motor mount lowers the short shaft sufficiently for most situations. I cannot go forward while motoring by myself. On the other hand I have no problem getting the outboard clear of the water at any angle of heel. So don't necessarily cross off the short shaft. Each has its advantages. Mine has no transmission, no clutch, and spins 180 degrees for reverse. It's a string trimmer with a prop, but it works. The Honda 2HP would be at the top of my list if I needed to replace my outboard.

Craig

[B.Hart]

I have a 2hp  evenrude (that came with the boat)it's very light and its a short shaft, too much load forward will lift the motor out of the water.  my biggest complaints are too small of a fuel tank,its hard to refuel wen underway,and no nuetral, you have to hang on to the dock to warm up.the power is good. good luck with your choice

[Craig]

I bet my Johnson and your Evinrude are two peas in a pod. I do not warm up before leaving the dock. I give it a pull or two to start and let the choke about half way on until it warms up a bit.  By then I'm about half way out of the lagoon to the open lake.

Craig

[K3v1n]

After all the messages I've read here and on others sites concerning outboards, I plan on getting a 3.5 hp long shaft, looking at the new Merc 3.5 four stroke. It weighs in at 37lbs. I plan to be sailing in the Barnegat Bay which can get a bit rough plus has a good tidal flow. If I was just lake sailing I'd probally go with a 2 or 2.5, but being out in the open bay I'd like alittle more horse power just in case.

[Ludwig]

I came to the same conclusion. There are new 2.5 horse 4strokes from Suzuki and Johnson, weight 13 kg, they seem to be identically and make a good impression. I bet they are "answers" to the Honda 2.3, but only available with short shaft.

The Honda might be an option, too, but i heard it is enerving loud. Did the Honda owners here in the forum make similar experiences?

So i plan to get the new 3.5 Mercury/Mariner 4 stroke, 17 kg, long shaft.
The list price is 950 Euro, but a big outdoor supermarket in Gladbeck (city near Dortmund) offers it for 769 Euro. I cross the region time by time and will go and get it in the next weeks. Seems to be a good deal.

Ludwig, Hamburg, Germany

[Craig Weis]

What churn [motor] is fine for a CP-16?
I'd look at a 3hp range motor. I like Mercurys
because they seem to under rate the hp. The
motor has more hp then they say it has.
One step in hp down from the 5 hp ought to
be fine.  Two strokes are OK with little weight.
My 5hp 2 stroke is a good fit for my CP-19.
Can you find Mercurys in Germany? skip

[Ludwig]

Well, we have:
Mariner/Mercury, Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Tohatsu, Johnson (only 4stroke, they seem to give up the 2stroke line)

These are the most common. There are also italian outboards named Selva, but i think italian engines are rusting already in the brochure as the cars do...;-)

Then you can find some Evinrudes, Tomos (not produced anymore) and Forelle (from former GDR)

Best
Ludwig