What is the best motor for a compac 16

[Cats Paw]

Whatever kind of gas motor you use find gas without ethanol to run through it.  I bought a new Honda 2 hp and had no end of trouble with the carb until I found pure gas at the new HyVee that came to town.  I've had the motor for years and finally feel like I can trust it. Now my 4 hp Johnson Deluxe can take a break (kinda heavy anyway). I believe Seafoam helps also.  It doesn't matter how big, small, what length the shaft if the damn thing won't run what good is it?

Fred

I Agree.  I burn Ethanol Free in the 3.5 Tohatsu outboard. Great running and very clean exhaust. I since use it in the power washer and lawnmower. I realized fuel savings of 25% for the same amount of work performed. The higher cost of the fuel is offset by the better performance.

Here is a great site to locate fuel.   http://www.pure-gas.org/

[Catawampus]

I have a Sun Cat which I think would have similar engine requirements to the Com-Pac 16. I didn't choose my outboard. My used Sun Cat came with a Yamaha 4-stroke 4 HP outboard. For three and a half years this engine has served me well. Above an idle, she seems to be happiest at a little past 1/4 throttle where she pushes my Sun Cat along at about 4.7 knots. I have a 3-gallon tank connected by hose and she also has a small integral tank. I think she consumes around a third of a gallon an hour or maybe less. I usually only buy a gallon or two of ethanol free gas a year.

[Hadders]

Heh! You said it, Fred!

[Winded]

Hadders, your quote is a funny variation on the classic, "I left my shoes and socks there, I wonder if they're dry".  Is that your creation and is there more to it than just that line?

Fred

[Mike]

Couldn t agree more with the gas comment.  I have run a 5hp honda 4 stroke on pure gas for five years, burn all gas out of carb on return to the dock and it still starts on the second pull.

[Craig]

There is no "best" motor! "Ya pays yer money ya takes yer choice"....Popeye the Sailorman.

[ChuckO]

Ahoy,
My 16-2 came to me with a 1991 Johnson, 6 hp, 2 cycle, 57 lbs and awkward to mount by myself; more weight than needed on the aft end of the yacht.  I sail salt water as well as rivers, tidal creeks and fresh water lakes.  Pondered the Gas vs Electric for several months. I had concerns about the Minn Kota 55# thrust and the "oomph" it would provide against an outgoing tide (often 2 knots or more) and the wind in my face. I prefer the simplicity of electric, but finally admitted to myself that the power needed in the areas I sail in could not be provided by today's electric motors with the exception of the Torqeedo, which is not in my $$ comfort zone.... I have previously owned a Honda 2.3 and hated the thing. Noisy and no neutral. The centrifrugal clutch was always a problem to me.... To start it ... it had to be at about 1/3 throttle and as soon as it starts ... you are moving.  As with many motors when first started ... you often have to goose them a little to keep them running

I wanted a 4 stroke and felt I needed a 2.5 to 4 hp.     After reading many reviews and talking to a few users, I bought the 4 stroke, 30 lb Suzuki 2.5, which has forward and neutral gears, a 3 year warranty and cost $200 less than the Honda 2.3.

The Suzuki moves my CP16-2 at 6.0-6.1 mph (about hull speed) on the lake at less than half throttle.  I hope the other half will give me the power I may need against the tidal flow.

ChuckO'
CP16-2 Carpe Diem
Charleston, SC

[tmw]

Ahoy,
The Suzuki moves my CP16-2 at 6.0-6.1 mph (about hull speed) on the lake at less than half throttle.  I hope the other half will give me the power I may need against the tidal flow.

I don't get this. The hull is limited in the speed it will go through the water, near 6 mph, isn't that the fastest it will go?  Just because the boat is fighting a tide doesn't mean it can have a faster hull through the water speed to get the same over ground speed, or an I missing something?

Is there an assumption that more powerful motors will go faster than the hull speed, albeit inefficiently?  Or does the extra power just get up to hull speed quicker?  I'm just trying to understand.

[Craig]

Hull speed is theoretical max speed(the hull literally runs into its bow wave)and power available is insufficient to plane the hull. Theoretical since it can be exceeded somewhat(as in surfing). The advantage of more hp is if you are also fighting the wind. Opposing current is factored into hull speed. More hp might be be useful to hold a given course in wind and a vectoring current as well.

[Bob23]

   I know this is about 16's, but I thought I'd throw my 2 cents in anyway. I used to have a Nissan 2 stroke 8 hp long shaft on my 23. Once it got up to about 4.7 knots, it really didn't want to go much faster. This was in calm water. Any additional throttle gave little return in speed for the fuel consumed. I never tried to adjust the engine trim very much. As I'd push the boat harder, the stern seemed to squat down and if I walked to the bow, the boat speed would increase a bit. Since I sail in tidal waters, I liked the extra horsepower.
   I recently repowered the boat with a Tohatsu (named Sue) Sailpro, 6 hp single cylinder 4 stroke, extra long shaft. First time out I noticed the boat motored along at 5 knots, sometimes a bit faster with no complaints from the motor. Seems the deeper prop and maybe the prop shape itself, were the factors contributing to the increase in speed.
   Moral of the story: There's more to consider than just horsepower. As noted above, I like the available extra power when motoring into a headwind or opposing tide.
Bob23

[Craig]

Amen! Better to be somewhat overpowered and have a reserve if needed.

[tmw]

Amen! Better to be somewhat overpowered and have a reserve if needed.

How many great sailing stories start with "No $#!t, there I was with excess power and plenty in reserve..."



Thanks for sharing the perspectives.  I appreciate it, even if it might reduce the number of stories I create.

[nies]

Agree whole heartly, more horse's the better..........nies

[kickingbug1]

   i swear by a "cruise and carry" 2.7 hp air cooled outboard. they are light weight (extremely so). loud (extremely so), ugly (extremely so), obsolete (last made 1969) and do a great impression of a weedeater. i have two of them and wouldn't trade them for anything (except money). it is considered to be the "official emergency back-up motor of the CLR

[Mas]

Well it has been a ton of years since we had our 16, but bought her a used 4.5 Johnson long shaft and it moved her very well. More than enough power and had great range with a small 2.5 gallon tank sitting in the rear of the cockpit floor.