Outboard Motor Questions

[LisTex]

Howdy!

I recently purchased a used (neglected) Compac 16 and am in the process of getting it ready for the water.
I'm a college student so I'm working within a very small budget but have been able to manage thus far.
A friend of mine used to sail a 24'er and still had the Honda 4-Stroke 9.9hp motor. He gave it to me this weekend but
it needs some work before it would be ready to use.
In the process of moving the motor from the truck bed to the workshop we realized that it is quite heavy and now
I'm concerned about it being too much weight for the boat.

I've done some looking online but haven't been able to find much about weight limits.
Anyone have any suggestions?

I know that this is a lot of hp for this boat, but I cannot afford to buy a new motor and would like to make this one work
at least for the time being.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I'm an extremely novice sailor. Hence part of the desire to not spend a lot of $$ just yet.

[Salty19]

Congrats!

Wow a college student!  I could only dream about owning something like a CP16 in college!

As for the motor, I would highly suggest seeing about trading the 9.9 for something in the 2-5hp range. You might walk away with the right motor and change in your pocket.

With all the weight on the transom, your boat is going to sail miserably unless you put a around 60-70lbs of ballast well forward.  CP16's do NOT like weight aft.

Also as you are finding they are a bear to lift.

As for the motor mount and transom handling this weight, I suspect it would, but there would be little chance, unless you're in incredibly good shape of actually rotating it up while under sail.  This drag will impact steering.

Let's put it this way.  The 9.9 is too much for a CP23, which weighs about three times as much as a 16.  So using one a 16 would be asking for issue, in my mind anyway.

Good luck, and have fun with your new adventures in sailing!

[skip1930]

Too much hp and too much weight for a CP-16, but hanging it on the motor mount will be no problem, the motor mount will take it.
You may not have clearance between the transom and the O/B engine housing for turning, pull starting, choking, or lifting. I think the Honda is a big package. You asked...

I have a 53 lb Mercury 2 cycle 5 hp O/B on my CP-19.

skip.

[JTMeissner]

LisTex, definitely more motor than necessary.  For a 16 and similar sized boats, plenty of us are satisfied with trolling motors.  It's a topic of some debate, but on a lake it is quite adequate; coastal and river currents may mean you look elsewhere. 

One nice thing about the trolling motor is that the battery can be placed forward, so in a way counter-balancing the weight at the stern.  I'm pretty sure my battery box weighs more than the motor...

My part of the discussion is here: http://cpyoa.geekworkshosting.com/forum/index.php?topic=4852.msg33871#msg33871

HTH,
-Justin

[Pacman]

You might be able to trade it for a smaller motor.

Fisherpeople who use small skiffs often seem to want larger motors than they have.

Get a lightweight 3 HP if you can.

[MacGyver]

Sadly too much motor...... though I always say "If it is free, it is for me!!"
So far that saying has only bit me a few times........ I have learned to be better at regulating what I take in.

The 16 at the marina I work at has a 2HP on it.

We had a guy with Oday 26 who wanted to put a bigger engine on it, he went out and bought one off a fisherman, then brought it out. they went and started to hang it on the boat and after they put it on, at some point cracking could be heard.......

No one bothered to look at the weight, and knowing it weighed more than the previous motor, they werent too concerned........ Hell, guess one could hang anything off the back of a boat as long as it doesnt rip the back off.

Check some local marinas if you have any close by, or switch to rowing (There is a guy on here who made a setup for rowing a 16 off the winches..... of some added parts) or like the others said, a trolling motor.

16 is a excellent boat to start with...... I cant wait till I get one to join my CP19.....be like a little sister to her......

MacGyver

[wroundey]

For those of you who have put on a trolling motor - how large a troller did you go with? I am seeing some 44 lb thrust trolling motors locally for a decent price. I currently have a Nissan 3.5 hp that I would rather not have to deal with, but would like some assist every now and then at the dock.

[LisTex]

A BIG thank you to everyone!!!

Thats pretty much what I suspected but I wanted to get some feedback. I appreciate all the responses!
Will do a little talkin' around to see what is available from some of the local shops and go from there.

I never thought about rowing her... that could definitely add some fun entertainment


~LisTex

[JBC]

Wroundey,
44# thrust would work in most conditions just fine.  I have a 47# thrust electric and it works well, given these caveats: No strong current (not an issue where I sail), no strong headwind/waves (say 20 mph +0) and no great distance to/from dock (say ~50 yards).  Mine will work in almost all conditions for short distances, but on big lakes with any ground to cover before hoisting sails, or possibilities of strong winds/waves, I use my 2.5 Suzuki.  Nice thing about very small motors: I can carry both aboard, and switch if I want/need.

[kickingbug1]

   i have an old cruise and carry 2.7 hp on my 16----with a spare one sitting in one coffin birth------mike and jason----you may laugh now. seriously---sell the 10 horse. a lot of fisherman want one. i sold an 81 merk 9.9 for 400 bucks. i will probably get a 2 horse honda if this one ever fails (if these two ever fail)

[Shawn]

"Will do a little talkin' around to see what is available from some of the local shops and go from there. "

Also take a look at where you will be sailing. If it is a lake check to see if they have any regulations regarding 2 stroke outboards. If not and you want a light outboard try and find a Sears/Tanaka Gamefisher. They had 3 models starting with a 1.2hp that weighed about 13 pounds. That engine was direct drive so if it was on you were moving forward a little, it would not rotate around for reverse thrust. Next larger was a 1.75hp version that could pivot for reverse thrust. It came in a direct drive and centrifugal clutch version. The centrifugal clutch version was basically in neutral when idling and when you throttled up it engaged the prop. I think these were about 18 pounds. Biggest was a 3hp model which also rotated around for reverse and had a 2 stage centrifugal clutch. It would be in neutral at idle, throttled up a ways it spun the prop slowly (for trolling) and throttled further the clutch engaged fully for full speed operation. I think these were 24 or 28 pounds.

I have owned all three versions and still have a 3hp I picked up as NOS cheap. The 1.2 HP is a tiny little thing. Lack of neutral or reverse thrust may or may not be an issue for you. 1.75hp version w/clutch  is probably the best compromise of size/weight/features but it is also the least common. Seems most either went with the 1.2 for a canoe or put the 3hp on something bigger. Pricing is all over the place, if you can find one locally it will likely be less than purchasing on ebay.

The Suzuki 2.5hp mentioned is a really nice engine too. It is a four stroke and it is *MUCH* quieter than the Gamefisher engines. It has a true clutch and can spin 360 degrees, the Gamefishers can only spin to reverse in one direction. Per the specs the Suzuki is only a few pounds heavier than the 3hp Gamefisher but due to its size/bulk it feels a lot bigger/heavier than the Gamefisher.

If you are going to store the engine in the boat 2 strokes are a lot less finicky than 4 strokes. With a four stroke if you store them wrong (or they shift while sailing) the crankcase oil will end up filling the combustion chamber and you won't be able to start the engine till you clean that all out. I had this happen last season with the Suzuki when I went to use the dinghy. May use the Gamefisher this year.

Shawn

[jpfx]

when I got fed up with the weight of a tohatsu 5hp on my C-16, I switched to using a light '30' trolling motor and that was fine for getting around and a lot less hassle.

[dbinvermont]

Gotta throw my 2 cents in-
Something to consider is that the better you get, the less you will motor.  Nowadays I don't use my motor unless I am within thirty or so feet of the dock. When I first started, I was motoring half the time!
Except for finding yourself downwind and late for dinner, the motor is just along for the ride. Two horse would more than do ya.

[Bob23]

   Although I'm not a 16 guy, I'll echo what DB says. I usually sail off and back onto my mooring and only use the motor if there is no wind or if safety might be comprimised by sailing only. Sometimes weeks will go by without me starting Miss Nissan, size 8.
   Last year, while motoring back from the Barnegat Bay Bash and trying to beat a storm, I encountered some engine problems that would not allow me to motor. Turned out to be a very minor problem with the shifter. Long story short, I was forced to sail, making very many tacks and cheating every channel to make it back. Nice to have a depth sounder in these situations. I really learn alot that day, having been forced to sail. Sure, it took me 6 hours to get back. Motoring would've taken 2 but it was great fun.
   I use a 1988 Nissan 8 2 stroke, a but overpowered for my 23 but it's nice to have some reserve power...just in case.
Bob23

[JBC]

Then, there's this idea...
http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/3719655832.html