When we bought our CD-25 earlier this year, it came with a 1968 Evinrude 6 HP motor. Being that the motor was 32 years old I had my doubts about it, but we got it tuned up and checked out at the marina and they assured us that it was running fine. I did replace the 2 blade prop with a supposedly higher pitch 3 blade prop.
The motor seemed to lack power, but not having anything to compare it to I didn't know. Lots of people on this board seem to have 9.9's or bigger and I thought maybe that's all 6 HP would do. It did get us out of our slip. I intended to replace the motor with a modern four stroke but never got around to it.
Two weeks ago we took the boat out and had major engine problems. The motor gasped and wheezed and filled the well with smoke. I suspected that the intake and exhaust were fouled with growth but there wasn't time to fool with it and I just decided to return next time with a new outboard.
We went shopping at a marina that carried Honda, Yamaha, and Mercury. They had all the Honda and Yamaha four strokes in stock; they did not stock the Mercury four stroke but would order one if we wanted it. According to the marina, the Hondas and Yamahas four strokes were superior and they only stocked the two stroke Mercury's (???)
Anyway, after checking out the dimensions and weights and configurations of the various models, we decided on the Honda 5 HP. It appeared that there would be an interference between the tillers of the Yamahas and the well opening on the boat. The heads of all of the engines were larger than the Evinrude we were replacing and I was concerned about the ability to squeeze these engines in. The weights were also a factor. I was concerned about having less horsepower than the Evinrude, but the Honda 5HP seemed the best fit.
(cont'd)
cpgjim@erols.com
New Motor for CD-25
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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Jim Swiatocha
Re: New Motor for CD-25
We went back to the boat this weekend and pulled the old Evinrude. It had something that resembled a fuzzy basketball where the propellor should have been. It's a wonder that the engine had run at all! We sail out of the lower Potomac and for some reason the barnacles and other marine growth had been unusually fierce this year. Some boats at our marina had been pulled twice this season to have their bottoms cleaned. I had painted the Evinrude with antifouling paint but it seemed to have no effect. That horrendous growth had occurred over an eight week period.
We attempted to install the Honda and found there was insufficient room fore and aft. It would take moving the motor mount forward about an inch to have it drop in cleanly. Not having the time for that project this weekend, I swiveled the motor about 10 degrees and clamped it in place.
My initial impressions of the Honda after one weekend of use are very favorable. For some reason unknown to me, the 5 HP Honda has MUCH more thrust than the 6 HP Evinrude. Even with the propellor thrust at a 10 degree angle to the axis of the boat, the engine seems to push the boat to hull speed at about half throttle (and I am applying serious rudder to keep the boat in a straight line). There is a higher thrust propellor which I bought but did not install. I think when I get the engine centered and the higher thrust prop installed I'll be ready to pull waterskiers!
The Honda runs beautifully and there is no trace of the smoke and fumes that the Evinrude produced even when everything was clean. The Honda seems to run quite well with the well cover closed. With the cover closed and the tiller protruding from the forward opening, all the engine controls are accessible.
I pulled the motor when we left and found that the clearance problem could be corrected very easily by fastening the wooden mount to the forward face of the bracket - a 20 minute job.
In short, I would recommend this engine highly to anyone considering a new engine for their 25. I think that unless you have some VERY strong currents to overcome you will find this engine to have more than adequate power and that it will be easily and cleanly installed.
cpgjim@erols.com
We attempted to install the Honda and found there was insufficient room fore and aft. It would take moving the motor mount forward about an inch to have it drop in cleanly. Not having the time for that project this weekend, I swiveled the motor about 10 degrees and clamped it in place.
My initial impressions of the Honda after one weekend of use are very favorable. For some reason unknown to me, the 5 HP Honda has MUCH more thrust than the 6 HP Evinrude. Even with the propellor thrust at a 10 degree angle to the axis of the boat, the engine seems to push the boat to hull speed at about half throttle (and I am applying serious rudder to keep the boat in a straight line). There is a higher thrust propellor which I bought but did not install. I think when I get the engine centered and the higher thrust prop installed I'll be ready to pull waterskiers!
The Honda runs beautifully and there is no trace of the smoke and fumes that the Evinrude produced even when everything was clean. The Honda seems to run quite well with the well cover closed. With the cover closed and the tiller protruding from the forward opening, all the engine controls are accessible.
I pulled the motor when we left and found that the clearance problem could be corrected very easily by fastening the wooden mount to the forward face of the bracket - a 20 minute job.
In short, I would recommend this engine highly to anyone considering a new engine for their 25. I think that unless you have some VERY strong currents to overcome you will find this engine to have more than adequate power and that it will be easily and cleanly installed.
cpgjim@erols.com
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Isaac
Re: New Motor for CD-25
Interesting info:
I replaced my engine last year for my CD25. I opted for a 2-stroke mercury 15 hp.
Since I sail in NYC, there are very strong currents (3-4 knots)and I often need to use the reverse to dock in tight spaces.
I love the mercury, it's heavy, but I fixed that by putting ballast, two fifty pound gravel bags, under the v-birth.
I think you are right, no need for 15hp, but if you intend on cruising long distances, it's nice to know that you have an engine that can power you through places like Hell's gate, Plum gut, etc.
I replaced my engine last year for my CD25. I opted for a 2-stroke mercury 15 hp.
Since I sail in NYC, there are very strong currents (3-4 knots)and I often need to use the reverse to dock in tight spaces.
I love the mercury, it's heavy, but I fixed that by putting ballast, two fifty pound gravel bags, under the v-birth.
I think you are right, no need for 15hp, but if you intend on cruising long distances, it's nice to know that you have an engine that can power you through places like Hell's gate, Plum gut, etc.
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Doward Douwsma
Re: New Motor for CD-25
We replaced our "old" Evinrude 6 this summer with a Nissan 8 with electric start. Fit perfectly and shure beats a question-mark with every start. (I'm also getting too old to hand start a "toy".
drdow@home.com
Isaac wrote: Interesting info:
I replaced my engine last year for my CD25. I opted for a 2-stroke mercury 15 hp.
Since I sail in NYC, there are very strong currents (3-4 knots)and I often need to use the reverse to dock in tight spaces.
I love the mercury, it's heavy, but I fixed that by putting ballast, two fifty pound gravel bags, under the v-birth.
I think you are right, no need for 15hp, but if you intend on cruising long distances, it's nice to know that you have an engine that can power you through places like Hell's gate, Plum gut, etc.
drdow@home.com