[Rhodes22-list] Sailing Long Island Sound

[Bill Effros]

Nick,

I'm in Greenwich.

You want an 8 hp for these waters.  9.9 doesn't make any difference, but 
I would probably get the 9.9 Tohatsu 4 stroke in your situation, also.  
(You need the power only for motoring into a headwind--it doesn't happen 
that often, but when it does you are happy to have enough power on board 
to keep you moving forward.)

IMHO you are foolish to not get the electric starter.  Together with the 
solar panels it is all you need to keep your batteries fully charged all 
the time.  It returns more power to the battery than it withdraws in 
starting.  The extra weight is significant only when carrying it--it 
makes no difference on the boat, and that engine is lighter than most 
other 4 stroke engines.  As a safety factor, the engine can be started 
by anyone on board in case you are incapacitated or fall overboard.  (I 
highly recommend the Tohatsu Remote Control which can be mounted on the 
stern rail and offers key starting of an electric start Tohatsu.).

My wiring and remote controls run in the rain channels under my cockpit 
cushions.  No hassle to connect or detach (I take everything off my boat 
in the winter) -- nobody really notices they are there, or that they are 
external and not tied down to anything.

The boat is hard to steal in this configuration, and the motor won't run 
without the key.  Sure, you can put it back together, but you can't just 
pull the handle and fire it up.

I just (and I mean "just"-- the motor is still in the back of my pickup) 
retrieved my 14 year old 8 hp Tohatsu 2 stroke motor from Twinhull 
Marine in Bridgeport.  I have put less than 100 gallons of gas through 
it in those 14 years, and this was its first tune up.  It still had the 
original spark plugs.  I only brought it in because I sheared the 
mechanism that holds on the prop during an anchoring experiment last 
summer.  It always started right away.  They say they are sure it will 
be good as new for another 14 years.  My motor weighs less than 60 lbs. 
and I can carry it alone.  It is easy to lift on the R-22 motor mount.

Before I understood how minimal the damage was, I was planning to get 
the 9.9 4 stroke Tohatsu with electric start as a replacement.  The only 
thing that interested me in the 4 stroke is the quietness of the 
engine.  I plan to do more motor cruising down to NYC in the coming 
years, so I will have to hear, or not hear, my engine more.  I have 
dampened the sound with expensive sound control materials inside the 
cowling (these engines are water cooled, not air cooled so it doesn't 
make any difference) and have substantially reduced the sound coming 
from the engine, but it is still clearly louder than the quietest 
4-strokes, of which the Tohatsu is one.

The added weight of the 4-stroke is a concern to me, too.  I like that I 
can move my engine without help.

If you had an interest in my engine I would think about selling mine to 
you and getting the quieter 4-stroke.  I'm not saying I would do it, but 
I would think about it, and let you know.

This is the best way I can show you how happy I am with my existing 
motor, and which motor I might someday get.  On the other hand, I have 
discovered new sound-proofing materials that I am anxious to try, and 
plan to install this year--if this works I would sooner keep my trusty 
old motor.

Bill Effros

kuzzal at comcast.net wrote:

>I would appreciate some advice;
>
>I will be picking up a new Rhodes from Stan at the end of March & will be sailing Long Island Sound (for the 1st time) from Stamford CT. 
>
>I am shopping for an outboard engine and like the Tohatsu 9.8 HP 4 stroke engines but don't like the weight at 86 Lbs for the 20" manual & 91 Lbs electric start. I would prefer a lighter engine.
>The 8 HP is the same weight as the 9.9 HP so no pint in going with the 8 HP except for cost.
>The 6HP is only 55 Lbs but I suspect that its to small for Long Island Sound? Those of you out there who sail the sound what size do you use?
>
>A more general question; I can't seem to justify the electric start since:
> 1. It adds weight  (only 5 Lbs), 
>2. Adds cost (~$200), 
>3. The battery charging ability will be limited since when running it does not produce much charge and probably will use more for starting then it will produce for charging.
>4. Its got to be wired in to the electrics - extra hassle
>5. Manual start is simpler, no wiring, less cost, less weight.
>
>Comments welcome
>Regards   Nick Kuzniarski
>__________________________________________________
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>  
>