Propeller for my sailboat

bprender · Jun 3, 2005

I dont know what kind of sailboat I bought. Its a 22 footer, but it doesnt seem to be a big brand. The title says its a mariner, but I'm unable to find any other mariner makes online, so I'm not sure about how correct the title is. Getting to my question, I'm buying a 2005 tohatsu 9.8 4stk for the boat. I believe it either comes with a 7.5 or 8.5 pitch. I've been reading about motors, which I know very little about, and apparently the type of propeller changes per boat. I would say the boat is about 6 feet wide, 22 feet long and about 2 feet down in the water. Is that enough for someone to suggest the correct propeller I should be looking at for the boat? Also, should I be posting this in the outboards/non-repair formum? Thanks for everything. Best - Bryan

tommays · Jun 4, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

you should talk to the seller and try to get a motor setup for a heavy load they should be able to get it to you with the correct prop i hope you have a strong kicker mount thats a big motor for a 22 ft i used a 6 hp on my J-24 and nothing was going to make it go any faster and it was able to power it through really bad conditions IMHP 2 stroke is the way to go in small motors tommays

bprender · Jun 4, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

Yeah I almost bought a 15 hp, but my neighbor said I was nuts and wouldn't sell it to me. I bought a new stainless steal mount because the old one was rusted over. The mount said it would hold up to 115 lbs and a 15 hp or something of the sort. I had an 8hp 75lb honda on the back for about a week with no difficulty, but it turns out the engine I bought was bad. The 9.8 im looking at is only 82 lbs. I reinforced the mount with some 2 by 8's on the inside of the transom, so I'm pretty sure the boat should be able to handle the load. I'm sailing in the gulf (nearshore always) with very little experience (took a sailing class when I was 9, now I'm 22), and I don't want to get caught in a headwind that my motor won't power through. I also, don't intend to keep this boat for more than 2 or 3 years, and when I move up to a larger boat I want to have a good motor that will be capable of moving it. I considered 2 strokes, but they don't seem to be quite as inexpensive as everyone says. The tohatsu I'm looking at is about 1500 (1700 with electric start) and I cant seem to find a 2stk at a better deal. Thats why I'm going with the lighter 4 stk.

Paul Moir · Jun 5, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

I agree with tommays 100% about 9.8 being far too much. My uncle has a 8hp merc 2-stroke on his Tanzer 22 (3000 lbs, 7'10" beam), and it's uselessly large. I doubt it's ever been beyond half throttle. On my brother's Shark 24 (small boat, 2200lbs, 6' 10" beam) we use a 4hp and it's never been inadequate. In heavy weather we normally end up reducing power rather than going full, since the resulting waves cause the boat to pitch. The propeller will come near the surface of the water and it will over-rev if at full throttle. I might add, I don't think theres such a thing as too long a shaft on a sailboat. Since it's mounted off center, it's going to want to come out of the water when the boat heels to the opposite side. The deeper you get it the more the boat can heel before it begins to break the surface.

bprender · Jun 5, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

I agree with you all that the 9.8 is too much for this boat. In the coming years, however, I plan on selling this boat after I've fixed it up real nice, and buying a junky 25,26 or 27 footer. I want to keep the engine for that, which may require more power. Is there necessarily a problem to having too much power if I think the bracket will hold? Ithe transom will break before the bracket) I looked at the 8 hp tohatsu, and the weight only decreases by 3 lbs. The 6 hp is 55 lbs, but it doesnt feature an electric start, and I would have to think about trading it in for a new, greater hp motor. Thats my logic. BTW, the bracket is in the center of my boat. The tiller plunges through the cockpit and the rudder is underneath the boat, not mounted on the back. Thanks for all your advice guys. Tell me if I'm suicidal for getting a 9.8 because I will die if I put it on the boat, or just misguided since its a bit of a waste. Best - Bryan

tommays · Jun 5, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

i think its to big but you have bought a mount with the correct rateing so as long as your transome is strong and the bracket is well instaled it should not fall off the back

dont forget the saftey chain just in case

tommays

Paul Moir · Jun 5, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

No, I'm not worried about it falling off too. Just concerned for your pocketbook.

But if your planing on 2-foot-ietis, don't forget most those larger boats come with inboard diesel rather than outboard power. I see your point about electric start though. Personally, I like 2 cylinder 2-strokes, but from all reports the 9.8hp is a great engine. Since the outboard mounts to the center of the boat, a 20" longshaft should work just fine. That's a really nice feature. That said, Tohatsu makes props down to 6.5" for that engine. Since a sailboat (or any displacement hull) is effectively a heavy load that would likely be the appropriate one http://www.tohatsu.com/tech_info/prop1.html

flashback · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

I have been running a 7.5 honda on a 27 foot Oday for the last 20 years on an inland lake. is it too much? or to little? I don't know, what I do know is that it has worked fine for me... It just depends on where you are boating.. I was on a 40 footer once coming into St. johns pass in fla.. and it could not overcome the tide changes.. not a good thing.. the bridge opened and we just sat there motionless trying to overcome the current but could not make any progress...finally backed off and tried a little later when the tide changed.. so... where you are has a lot to do with how much engine you need.. just a thought

Paul Moir · Jun 7, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

Yeah, but would it have made any difference if it was a 20hp? I mean, you're going to be limited by your length in that situation.

flashback · Jun 13, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

Your absolutly right PM. This 40 footer had a nice size diesel in it and it should have been able to make 8 or 10 knots.. I guess the bottom was really foul cause the engine seemed to be running well... I think we could have sailed thru the inlet and would have had better luck...

Raghauler · Jun 20, 2005

Re: Propeller for my sailboat

I have an O'Day 22 (about 3,000 lb.) I had an older ('84) 8HP 2-cyl. 2-cycle Evinrude when I got it... it had more than enough power. I downsized a couple of years ago to a 6HP 2-cyl. 2-cycle Mercury, and it brings it right up to hull speed w/o a problem in any sea. I believe the newer OB horsepower ratings are higher than the older ones because the 6 seems just as strong as the old 8 felt. That said, the 9.8 may be too strong but shouldn't be a problem given your needs. The one thing I would take into account IF you were shopping for a 2-stroke is that you would like to (optimally) run a 2-stroke at wide open throttle as much as possible to avoid carbon build-up. I don't think that's a problem for a 4 stroke, but I also don't have any experience to base that on. My $0.02

Propeller for my sailboat

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