CP-16 Outboard Delimma

[JonnyB]

I happen to be in possession of two, brand-new-in-the-box outboards, and I'm not sure which one to keep. I'm hoping some of you will share your wisdom and experience.

I sail a CP-16 in the Tampa Bay area. We have a few passes into the Gulf that flow like a river (4 knots?) when the tide is transitioning.

Mercury 4ML, 4 hp, long shaft (20"). 4-stroke. 59 lbs, true F-N-R shifting
Suzuki DF2.5, 2.5 hp, short shaft (15") 4-stroke, 30 lbs, "spin-around" for reverse

Thank you all.
Jon

P.S. Shout out to Sterling, who towed me to the boat ramp Sunday when my (old) outboard seized up. I think he has pictures of the rescue operation! Thanks, Sterling.

[atrometer]

I have a Honda 2,0 hp air cooled long shaft.  It pushes my CP16 to hull speed at about 1/2 throttle.  Since you can't go above hull speed that is more than adequate.  25#s 1 hour per tankful (.25 G), 20+ MPG

[Craig]

I think you will be happier with the 4 hp. Not for the power per se but more for having FNR. I had a "spin around" 2.5 on my WW Potter and it was a pain trying to back and fill in close quarters(like getting onto the trailer or into a slip under less than ideal conditions). The extra hp will be useful if you are fighting wind an current. Other than getting the motor off and on the extra weight should not unduly affect your trim. I had a 6hp Tohatsu long shaft on my Suncat(essentially the same engine you have just more highly tuned) and was glad to have the extra power available. Finally, the long shaft is a plus in choppy conditions when the prop may cavitate. Also lets you set the ob mount a little higher allowing easier control/steering.

[NateD]

That is a tough call. How about return both of them and get a 3-3.5HP long shaft with F-N? The extra 30 pounds of the 4HP will affect trim, the 16 likes to squat with any kind of weight aft. However, the more power (up to 4hp) the better, and long shaft is a plus if your going to be in any kind of waves (or go forward to drop an anchor). There may be times when having a reverse gear would be helpful, but I personally don't think it is worth the extra 20-30 pounds it adds to the stern of a 16. I never power load the boat (just float it onto the trailer with a line attached to the bow). When I'm in a slip or at a dock I just stand on the dock, grab a shroud, and guide the boat out and around so it's facing the direction I want to go, then hop in and put the motor in forward gear.

If I had to pick between the two motors you currently have, I guess I would lean toward the Mercury 4hp for the long shaft and the added power. But if the Suzuki was long shaft it would be a toss-up to me, trading off the weight for less power.

[nies]

Go for the Merc.,you wil never be sorry...........................nies

[Floyd]

More horsepower = better.

Go with the Mercury long shaft.

I consider my Lehr 5hp propane on my CP-16 to be minimally adequate on Tampa Bay.

The Bay does kick up more than people may think.

Floyd in Tampa Bay

[skip1930]

4 hp two cycle sounds good to me.

skip.

[Gerry]

Keep the Merc...long shaft, 4 stroke and FNR.

[Salty19]

I agree with Skip, a 4hp 2 stroke long shaft will give you power and low weight.  59lbs is a lot for a 16.  You will need appx 30lbs of weight (anchor, chain, etc) in the bow to maintain even sailing posture.

Since you're sailing in currents, you'll definitely want more hp than the 2hp can provide.

[Craig]

Not a lot of ballast to add/shift forward really. Essentially the same motor on the Suncat was not a trim problem for us.

[capt_nemo]

JonnyB,


Definitely Mercury 4 HP, long shaft, 4-stroke, w/FNR.

Shift a little ballast forward, ONLY IF NECESSARY. Experiment - try a small weight shift forward and see how the boat responds, both stationary AND underway.


capt_nemo

[atrometer]

A six (6) gallon water jug will give you about 50#s - and you may need some water!

[Salty19]

A six (6) gallon water jug will give you about 50#s - and you may need some water!

Yep, sounds about right. Those Suncats with a foot wider beam give more support to the stern than 16's do. My old 16 squatted with a 43 lb motor and 200lb captain (zero items stored aft) and sailed way better with heavy weight forward.  I have no doubt forward weight will be essential with a 59lb motor, unless the captain is short and slim.

[MacGyver]

,unless the captain is short and slim.

Like a short version of kickinbug???

Mac

[kickingbug1]

  hmmmmm