15HP on CD25 issues

[Isaac Halpern]

I got a 15hp 2 stroke '99 Johnson on my CD 25. The engine fits nicely and powers me through the strong 3 knot currents that I often encounter sailing on the lower Hudson bay. It's also great for reversing when docking in tight spaces with strong currents.

Problem is the stern sits low in the water. Someone suggested that I put a couple sand backs in the storage bin under the v-birth for counter wieght purposes, i.e., to achieve better balast.

But another friend told me that this is a bad idea because excess weight at the ends of the boat will make it pitch and roll more.

Any advice? Are the sandbag(s) a good idea? Also would a 9.9 engine perform as well as the 15 or would I notice a difference.

As it is now, the stern is only slightly low, but in a storm with a following sea, it could be an issue I think.

Thanks for the advice

Isaac



capedorynyc@aol.com

[bill willis]

I got a 15hp 2 stroke '99 Johnson on my CD 25. The engine fits nicely and powers me through the strong 3 knot currents that I often encounter sailing on the lower Hudson bay. It's also great for reversing when docking in tight spaces with strong currents.

Problem is the stern sits low in the water. Someone suggested that I put a couple sand backs in the storage bin under the v-birth for counter wieght purposes, i.e., to achieve better balast.

But another friend told me that this is a bad idea because excess weight at the ends of the boat will make it pitch and roll more.

Any advice? Are the sandbag(s) a good idea? Also would a 9.9 engine perform as well as the 15 or would I notice a difference.

As it is now, the stern is only slightly low, but in a storm with a following sea, it could be an issue I think.

Thanks for the advice

Isaac

Hi Isaac,
The 15hp Johnson is the same engine as the 9.9hp- same weight, same cu. in. displacement, etc., just souped up to put out additional hp... so you would not gain anything by going from a 15 to a 9.9 visa via weight advantage. Your 15hp Johnson weighs approx. 80-82lbs. That shouldn't be 'too' much for the stern. The sand bags in bow (IMHO) are a good idea. Check old messages for discussions on sand bags- type in a search for 'sand bags' on top of message board.
Good luck, bill



wawillis@toad.net

[eric]

I agree. I have the same weight engine. I keep the water tank full at all time and two anchors all the way forward. She not only looks much better this way (flat) but I believe she actually pitches and rolls less.

Before I added the extra weight, if I was going into a heavy sea and wind, the bow would ride up even higher out of the water, dropping performance. It may not make sense from a physiscs perspective, but I can tell you for sure that in a bad sea (6-8 feet), putting the movable balast (my girlfriend) in the V-berth made her (the boat) smooth out and tick up a knot or two in speed (using the GPS as a measure)

Cheers.

EW

I got a 15hp 2 stroke '99 Johnson on my CD 25. The engine fits nicely and powers me through the strong 3 knot currents that I often encounter sailing on the lower Hudson bay. It's also great for reversing when docking in tight spaces with strong currents.

Problem is the stern sits low in the water. Someone suggested that I put a couple sand backs in the storage bin under the v-birth for counter wieght purposes, i.e., to achieve better balast.

But another friend told me that this is a bad idea because excess weight at the ends of the boat will make it pitch and roll more.

Any advice? Are the sandbag(s) a good idea? Also would a 9.9 engine perform as well as the 15 or would I notice a difference.

As it is now, the stern is only slightly low, but in a storm with a following sea, it could be an issue I think.

Thanks for the advice

Isaac

Hi Isaac,
The 15hp Johnson is the same engine as the 9.9hp- same weight, same cu. in. displacement, etc., just souped up to put out additional hp... so you would not gain anything by going from a 15 to a 9.9 visa via weight advantage. Your 15hp Johnson weighs approx. 80-82lbs. That shouldn't be 'too' much for the stern. The sand bags in bow (IMHO) are a good idea. Check old messages for discussions on sand bags- type in a search for 'sand bags' on top of message board.
Good luck, bill

[Jon]

Hi,

Nissan has a new 9.8 hp 2-cycle that weighs just 60 pounds. That's what most 5 or 6 hp motors weigh. This may be something to explore.

Jon