[Rhodes22-list] Outboards

[Roger Pihlaja]

Ron,

I used a 6 hp Evinrude long shaft on Dynamic Equilibrium from 1987 to 1996.
I found 6 hp was plenty of power as long as it could be coupled to the
water.  The length of the lower leg & prop cavitation in rough conditions
were the limiting factors.  When I upgraded to a Honda 8 hp extra long shaft
outboard in 1996, I was looking for the following:

4-cycle engine for the reduced emissions, better fuel economy, ability to
idle W/O fouling spark plugs, no smoking exhaust, no mixing of oil/gas, & no
oily film left on the water in my wake
two cylinder engine for smoother operation
water cooled engine for quieter operation & longer engine life
underwater exhaust for quieter operation
full FNR transmission
ability to have cockpit-mounted remote engine controls
extra long shaft for improved rough weather capability
alternator for battery charging

At the time, the Honda 8 was the smallest 4-cycle engine that offered all of
these features.  I've been very satisfied with my Honda 8 & I'd never go
back to either a 2-cycle engine or the long shaft engine.  My Honda 8 does
not have electric start & I've never missed it.

Don't be concerned about having "only" 6 hp.  The Rhodes 22 hull is easily
driven thru the water & 6 hp is more than enough to move the boat in any
conditions you are likely to encounter as long as you can keep the prop in
the water.  Strongly consider getting an extra long shaft engine.

As far as 4-cyle engines having more thrust per rated hp than 2-cycle
engines, that's an urban legend.  Hp is hp & thrust is just a function of
efficiently coupling that power to the water.  If there is a choice of props
for your new outboard; then, get the largest diameter, lowest pitch prop
that is available.  If there is a choice of number of blades on the prop;
then, more is better in this case.  i.e. 3 blades are better than 2 blades.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronald Lipton" <rlipton at earthlink.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2004 6:58 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Outboards


> My Merc. 9.9 outboard is dead at my mooring in Monroe Harbor.  I am
> thinking
> of replacing it with a new Nissan 4 stroke 6 hp.  It is especially
> appealing because
> it weighs only 55 lbs and I am going to have to swap motors on the
> water.
> (I still have to get the old behemoth out.)
> Does anyone have experience with these engines?  I know that 6 is a bit
> on
> the low side for the Rhodes but I tend to use the engine only close to
> and inside
> the harbor.  I also have heard that the four strokes tend to have a bit
> more
> thrust per rated hp. Clean and quiet is nice too. Any comments?
>
> Ron
>
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