Cape Dory Typhoon - outboard engine length

[ag@angusgoble.com]

Can anyone make a recommendation for the correct HP and dimension for a gas outboard motor for a CD Typhoon Weekender? Short shaft or long shaft? I have a removable bronze/wood demountable bracket. Thanks!

[Dick Villamil]

It all depends on your sailing area. Definitely a long shaft motor is required. A 3 or 4 hp is more than adequate. I had a long shaft Mariner 4hp on Victoria and it put her up to hull speed and wasn't much past half throttle. I eventually went to an electric 45 lb thrust motor because all I need is to get from launching area to dock twice a year. It is also much lighter and I can remove it to store below. A long shaft 2 hp wsould also be OK for local inland lakes but to fight a current or tide it may require the 4 hp version. Just keep the weight of the motor as light as possible because the Ty will squat in the stern very easily (and draw water in through the cockpit scuppers).

[Oswego John]

Hi Angus,

Definitely get the long shaft.

As for HP, I personally like no higher than 5 HP and no lower than 3 HP.

Much depends on what kind of use the motor will be used for. 3hp is quite enough for general use around the harbour. Will you be bucking any river currents or tide rips. A little more hp is handy to know it is available if necessary.

Most owners report that they move right along at half throttle.

For short time use, a built in fuel tank is handy. Some motors are convertible to a remote fuel tank for extended motoring.

Good luck,

O J

[Markst95]

Don't discount the Honda 2hp long shaft, many of us think its the perfect motor for the ty. I've never been in a situation where it wasn't enough power. Plus its only 28 lbs and air cooled, easy to hang on the back.

[Steve Laume]

I would second the Honda 2 HP engine as a great choice for the Typhoon.

It is light, quiet, reliable and powerful enough to move the boat along. It will swivel all the way around so you have a stern thruster for close in maneuvering. It does not have an external tank so there is no hose to worry about but it does limit your fuel capacity before refueling. On the other hand, it uses very little fuel. You could also take it off and use it for your dinghy or stow it down below when not in use.

You definitely need the long shaft version, Steve.

[ag@angusgoble.com]

Thanks very much for your information on the outboards! My boat is located on shelter Island so there are times when tide is an issue. It seems the Honda LS 2hp would be adequate. Thanks again!

[Sea Hunt Video]

I will respectfully offer a slightly contrarian point of view on O/B engine size.

I owned a 1977 Cape Dory Typhoon Weekender that I kept on a mooring on Biscayne Bay. In 2008 when a hurricane threatened we had to move all sailboats from the sailing club's mooring field. I moved my Ty Weekender into a waterway and tied her to mangroves, etc. The hurricane passed and my Ty Weekender survived with no damage.

I then had to motor out of the waterway. Unfortunately, I picked a time of incoming tide. In addition, there was a strong head wind directly on the bow coming directly into the waterway. I had a Suzuki 6hp 4 stroke O/B. At full throttle I was barely able to make way forward. At times I was literally being "pushed" backwards by both the flooding tide and the wind. More than a little disconcerting. Eventually, I was able to "cheat" the channel a little (Ty's have a shallow draft) and head north sooner than I would have wanted to.

I hasten to add this was the ONLY time my 6hp was insufficient for the task. However, if I had had a 2hp O/B I am pretty sure I would not have been able to make any way at all.

You mentioned in your last post that tides are sometimes an issue in your sailing area. You may want to consider a larger O/B.

All that said, the 2 hp air cooled O/Bs are great little machines and are easily transported and serviced.

[bamabratsche]

Another good choice is the 3.5hp Nissan or Tohatsu 2-stroke. As I recall, it is about the same weight as the Honda 2hp, but being a 2-stroke it has more power for the same weight. The downside is that you have to deal with mixing oil with the fuel, and it can get a little smokey sometimes. It is pretty simple and easy to work on, though.

Two-strokes aren't made anymore, but I see used ones regularly on craigslist. You would definitely want the long shaft.

[Skeep]

Ditto, Bama. Using the 3.5 Nissan. Fuel mix is routine. I see the motor as a bit of insurance only. Would not like to encounter any current or heavy wind in my face however. But if wind, then the sails are up, so....

[Paul D.]

I had a late '70's Evinrude 5hp long shaft that worked really well on Lake Superior. If you are looking for an older used model I would consider somthing similar to that model.