? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

[sunblister]

I am trying to figure out what size outboard
to put on my 28' sloop.
Is there a rule of thumb? or formula?
Thanks,

 

[JCF350]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

A 6hp would be more than enough for docking and maneuvering.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

Minimum of 1 hp per 500lbs of boat.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

A lot of people use small hp motors and they work well 6/7/8 are workable but if for some reason you need to motor somewhere they don't push very well and you can actuall be pushed back in a good tide.
When they put an inboard in a SB most are at least 10-20hp. and more.
If I was gonna put a motor on a 29 I would go no lower than a 10. Jerry

 

[Joey One]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

I have have a 23' sloop with a 6 HP motor. I used to have a 4 HP motor until a combination current, waves and wind almost pushed me into some pilings. A good crew got the sails up quickly, and we sailed out of trouble.
While a 10 HP would move the boat adequately, I think 15 HP could get you out of trouble if necessary. 15 HP comes with electric start which I would love to have.

 

[tommays]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

Just don't count on having ANY reverse thrust with less than 15 to 20 HP

I can say that for SURE

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

My Dad's old 22 footer had trouble with 6hp and a strong current. Upped it to 15hp and all was well. Maybe a little overkill but it gave you a "warm and fuzzy" feeling compared to the 6hp. both were Evinrudes.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

Depends on where and how you use the boat. If you never have to fight much wave action or currents, I agree that a 6hp will move the boat around. On the other hand, if those things are frequently an issue, or would be likely to be an issue, 6hp is a long way from enough on a 28' boat. In that case, I would go for 15 to 20 hp.

If I had the money to spend, or didn't mind borrowing the money, I would have an inboard gas or diesel engine put in it, with a folding prop. Outboards on sailboats are pretty much a pain in the behind, but on a smaller boat, they become somewhat of a necessary evil because of space limitations. On a bigger boat two things come into play - first that the room for the inboard is usually available and second, the size of the motor needed to push it becomes very inconvenient when that motor has to be hung off the back of the boat.

 

[pvanv]

Re: ? HP Outboard for 28' sailboat?

Installed Tohatsu (Nissan) 9.8 long electric with high thrust (4-blade) prop on my 8,000 pound 1968 Hinterhoeller HR28 sloop, and it works very well. Reverse is brilliant. Top motoring speed about 4.5-5kts. Quiet and efficient.