Honda 5 HP and CD25

[Aaron Shapiro]

We've been using a Honda 5HP on our CD25 for several years now. Yes, it can just squeeze it into the well. The problem is that one of the exhaust outlets tends to go underwater - not good. One solution would be to raise the motor up a bit requiring the hatch to come up more than the 1" it already is. But this would move the prop up a bit as well, which I'd rather not do. We've never filled the water tank - we usually day sail and don't really need the water. But my thought is that 200 lbs. of water might provide some forward ballast just enough to raise the motor up enough. We've tested it with crew standing on the bow and it seemed to work. For those that fill their water tanks on a CD25 is there a problem with trim? Would we have too much weight forward?

Summer sailing sure seems a long way off here on Casco Bay - but it will surely come.

Thanks,

Aaron Shapiro
Portland, Maine

[pete faga]

What size shaft on the Honda?

[Aaron Shapiro]

Standard long shaft. Not extra long.

[Jim Walsh]

It hasn't posed a problem for "several" years. I'd leave well enough alone.

[Aaron Shapiro]

Ah, but there is a problem - aside from my failure to well articulate the issue in my initial post. When the exhaust is underwater the motor runs poorly at what feels like about 1/2 power.

[Terry]

While I don't have your issue with the motor, for this season I plan to fill the water tank. Like you, I don't need the water, as I use bottled water, but I've read many posts that state the CD25s handle better with some weight forward.

All the best, Terry

[Ben Coombs]

filling the tank does help with trim! It also helps with the weather helm that 25s tend to have (the heavy stern mimics a raked mast).

see you out in casco bay!

Cover comes off soon... well, maybe. The winter keeps going.