Horsepower???

[Blown Away]

Curious what horsepower outboards you guys are using on your 23's? I have the opportunity to trade my really clean Honda 5 for a really clean Yamaha 8 with low hours. Thoughts please...overkill or better choice???

[Citi853]

Mine is a 9.9hp.  No real reason other than it came with the boat.  The boat was used on Lake Erie.

[HeaveToo]

I have the 8hp Tohatsu long shaft.  I like it and it seems to be just perfect for my boat and the Chesapeake Bay tides.  Get an outboard with a long shaft, that is the most important part.

[Craig Weis]

A 5 hp two stroke on a CP-19 pushes the boat to slightly faster than the calculated hull speed.

Calculated hull speed for my barge is around 5.3 knots and the engine pushes 5.1~6.1 knots.
That's about what the sails do. So my sails are 5 hp? lol.

What is the calculated hull speed of a CP-twenty three? "Can't do better than that now can ya?"

As to shaft length ... This O/B is a short standard shaft configuration and to shove the O/B further into the water plus pull it off the transom far enough so the throttle/handle will clear the transom I modified my engine mount by installing 4 longer arms [saber saw cut from my old factory rudder plate] and four~two inch rubber blocks [saber saw cut from a big chunk of rubber] bolted on to a new aluminium saber sawed cut plate [also from the factory rudder] that lowers the phallic mounting board that the engine sits on down by two inches ... all that shoves everything down into the water and further out.

Craig Weis

[brackish]

I started with a Suzuki 9.9 HP four stroke electric start 20" shaft because it came with the boat.  A good motor but not right for the boat.  Too heavy! Hard to mount and dismount.  Affected boat trim causing stern squat.  I changed it out for a Nissan 6 HP four stroke Sail Pro with a 25" shaft.  Just right! lost 45 lbs stuck out there on that moment arm mount and lost another 30 or so by losing the start battery. 

I did the HP calc for the boat and it came out to be 5.6 required hp for hull speed.  This, of course is a little variable with some speculation as to true operating displacement.

The change worked for me. That 9.9 has been converted to a 15 and it is powering a lightweight 14' epoxy composite skiff just fine.

[Bristol14]

I too have been thinking about upgrading to a 9.9, specifically one with electric start and power tilt. Not lazy, just getting older and engine tilting could be an issue in the future. I am concerned about the extra weight though. Interesting in hearing from others about their experiences. 

[Bob23]

I have an old 427 that I salvaged from my AC Cobra. Move over McGregor powersailer!
6 hp Tohatsu Sailpro. 4 stroke. extra long shaft. I like it and it moves the boat just fine.
Bob23

[Blown Away]

Hummmm...now I'm really confused lol. Just kidding. Sounds like I may be slightly underpowered with the 5 and a bit heavy with the 8. I've been in underpowered situations before fighting strong tides trying to get back on the inside and it's no fun. I'll give this s little more thought. Thanks for the input guys!

[Bob23]

  On a serious note, there is more to it than just horsepower. Case in point: My previous motor was a Nissan 2 cylinder 2 stroke long shaft (affectionaly named "Miss Nissan, size . It worked fine, pushing the boat well and I never used more than 1/3 throttle in normal conditions. It was nice having the extra power when needed. (I sail in tidal conditions).
  My new motor, the Tohatsu SailPro (Sweet Sue) is a 6 hp, 4 stroke single cylinder  and extra long shaft, 25". This actually pushes the boat faster, is more fuel efficient and although some users have reported ethanol related fuel problems, I've had none. In my most humble opinion, go with the extra long shaft whatever motor you choose.
  The 427 was a bit much...but sure was fun passing the cigarette boats!
Bob23

[Mas]

So can't help ya with the OB on a 23 cuz ours had a diesel, 1gm10 Yanmar. Plenty of power and low in center of boat. could motor for 48 hours on the 11 gallon tank. Have a 4hp, 2 stroke Suzuki long shaft on our CP16 and at full throttle she is trying to move beyond her stern wave thus water begins to come in the scuppers a little. Plenty of power and starts on the first pull and is an 87. Heck I don't even start on the first pull!

A 23 is 3 times the displacement of a 16, with the same underbody just proportionally larger, also as far as the ethanol concerns, we always have plenty of non-ethanol locations near the boat. Most coastal locations do. Also i vote for a long shaft as well. Have used it in the up position in skinny water till can drop it down.

[Blown Away]

With all considered I think I'll sell the 5 and upgrade to a Tohatsu long shaft 6. I like Bob often sail in tidal conditions and listening to you with experiencee in this arena it sure seems that the 6 is the all around better power choice for the 23, not to mention that I've had my eye on the charging system of this little engine for a couple of years now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[Bob23]

If you can get non ethanol gas in your area, by all means do it. I cannot here in NJ so I use premium fuel and have had no problems. While I have had no fuel related issues, I've heard that others have and it's attributed to ethanol in the gas. I've also been advised to change the gas monthly, another nice feature of the 4 strokes- I can dump it in my truck every month. I should utilize the charging system but I'm not sure how it would interfere with the solar charger that I already have.
Cheers!
Bob23

[Blown Away]

Fortunately over the last year one of our local gas stations began selling non ethanol gasoline. Before it was available, and still today with  the non ethanol fule I use both Sta Bil, and Sea Foam fule treatments on all my small engines and haven't had any fule related problems yet that I can speak of. Bob the charging system on your engine will put out 60w/5a. That's one heck of an asset to have aboard   if you stay out for extended periods of time. May I suggest installing a double pole single throw toggle switch in line of both the positive and negative leads of your solar system to give you the option to switch to solar as needed and to also protect the electronics of your solar equipment from possible current fluctuations.

[Craig Weis]

" ... ethanol related fuel problems."

Not with British Petroleum Premium gasoline. No ethanol.

Or with aviation 100 LL gasoline.

Craig weis

[Shawn]

Bob,

Just hook up the alternator output to your battery. It won't interfere with your solar at all. Your charge controller would prevent reverse current to the panel and the panel itself will also have a diode in it for the same reason. Otherwise your battery would discharge when the sun goes down.

I ran solar and alternator on Serenity for years with no issue and do the same on my Sabre but with more than double the solar power and twice as large an alternator.

Shawn