I looked at the Honda 4 stroke before buying the Yamaha 4 stroke. What sold me
to go with the Yamaha was that the Honda is an egg-beater, that is to say, it has a low gear ratio,
which is ok for power boats, but not sails. The Honda was about 3:1 with the Yamaha closer to 4:1.
Higher gear ratio means maximum torque is developed at lower engine speeds, which is good for
pushing heavy displacement hulls through the water. Props also play a big role, but that's
something that can be interchanged on any engine. I'll also put in my preference for long shafts
again, which give you more latitude for keeping your prop in the water in rough (especially
following) seas.

Sherwin D.

Jim wrote:

Hi;
I would like to try to persuade you to look at the smallest engine that
will push your boat at hull speed. Everyone wants to buy a 15 when a 4
might do the job, as in a Catalina 22. I know all the arguments. No,
you don't need the extra power. You sacrifice a lot with a bigger
engine. And you will not be using an engine in "rough seas", you will
be sailing. Those who say differently have never been in rough seas.

Smaller engines have less weight, use less fuel. Easier to put away,
easier for everything. Cheaper.

I would also like to comment on your use of the well. I see many people
using a transom mounted bracket in boats that have wells. A couple of
comments:
The well allows better access to the controls. I see many boats around
here that I can't figure out how they plan to slow the thing down if
necessary. I see many people climbing out over the transom to get to
the throttle. Pretty dumb.
Often the transom isn't as strong in a boat such as a Catalina 27, as
is necessary to use a bracket. But it's done all the time.
No one has ever dropped an engine over the side using a well.

The Honda is a fine engine, stick with the shaft length that's needed.
More isn't better. A six horse is a lot of power. Try a four before
you buy.

My two cents worth.
Jim

prodigal1 wrote:

Now that I have your attention, the question is related to outboards. On
my vintage sailboat, aux power is an outboard going out through a well
in the lazarette. Currently a steeenkin 2-stroke 15hp Johnson, I'd like
to replace it with one of those sweet Honda 9.9hp 4-strokes. Currently
the Johnson in place is a 15in shaft. Any comments positive or negative
with respect to putting in a 25in Honda?

On Thu, 07 Jul 2005 12:26:16 -0400,
prodigal1 wrote:
Jim wrote:

The Honda is a fine engine, stick with the shaft length that's needed.
More isn't better. A six horse is a lot of power. Try a four before
you buy.

Yes I agree about engine size. We don't need the 15hp that came with
the boat. Getting a motor smaller than a 9.9 is not possible because I
don't think I can get an external starter/throttle/shift kit with
anything smaller than a 9.9. Currently I have the pull starter rigged
into the cockpit from the well which suits me fine, but the Admiral, who
is shorter than me has great difficulty reaching into the lazarette from
the cockpit to get at the choke. In rough conditions, this is not only
inconvenient but unsafe as well.


Aren't many of the smaller motors simply derated 10 horse units? If so,
might the remote controls for them interchange?

--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
"We have captured lightning and used it to teach sand how to think."