David Morgan wrote:
I am looking for an engine mount and recommended horsepower outboard. My preference for brand is a Yamaha...have a lot of good experience with Yamahas but I would also consider Honda but no other brand. I am trying to decide between Yamaha's 2.5 hp and their 6 hp. Their 4 and 6 hp weigh the same so I might as well get the six hp over the four hp. What pitch propeller, assuming that choice exists?
The 2.5 weighs 37 pounds and the 4/6 hp both weigh 59 pounds. Does a 22 pound difference make any difference in the rating of the mount?
Of those engines, do I want the short shaft or the long shaft? 15 inch and 20 shafts are available for both engines.
Which outboard mount would you recommend for whichever outboard is recommended?
Thanks,
David
Definitely short shaft. The motor mount you make/buy may also have to be "heightened" to keep it from swimming if you sit aft on the boat.
2.5 is plenty to go 5 kts. 6 hp is overkill unless you are pushing a bunch of people like a party boat. You aren't going to pull a waterskier no matter how big an engine you put there.
I'm not a fan of electric outboards. The range is not impressive and recharge time is hours; cost is stupid high for what you get. A gas engine typically gives you an hour at full throttle with a full tank...but you can refill in a minute or less if you carry another pint of gas with you. I personally go for lightest I can get since I want to sail fast--heavy weight slows you down. I'd get a 2 stroke if CA allowed it.