Best Motor For a Day Sailer III

[kmcgrail]

I am purchasing a new outboard for my Day Sailer III. I want a new motor and prefer a 4 stroke. I am looking at the Tohatsu 3.5 hp. (43 lbs) or the Honda 2.5 hp. (31 lbs.) I prefer the added power of the Tohatsu. Will the additonal 12 lbs affect sailing performance? I plan to mount directly to the transom.

[jeadstx]

I use a Lehr 2.5hp propane motor for my Day Sailer II. A friend got one for his DS II as well and really likes it as I do mine. The Lehr 2.5hp motor gets about an hour of fuel at full throttle with a one pound cylinder. Plenty of power. Supposedly a one pound cylinder provides fuel for a little more than a gallon of gasoline. They're nice because when you are finished for the day all you have to do is remove the cylinder, no gas to drain, no ethanol to deal with.

John

[kmcgrail]

Thanks so much John. How much does the Lehr weigh? Is is short (15") or long (20") shaft?

[jeadstx]

The Lehr 2.5hp motor is a short shaft (5hp has a long shaft, but over kill for a DS), but works on the transom just fine for a DS II. The DS III as I recall has a slightly higher freeboard to the hull, so it may require a motor mount to lower it a few inches. I have found the motor rides deep enough when under power since I'm operating it in the stern, the stern rides lower in the water and I don't need a mount.

As I recall, the weight of the motor is 37 or 39 pounds. It can be run with either a one pound cylinder that screws into the motor head or with a external 5, 10, or 20 pound tank with the supplied attachment hose. I use mine with the one pound cylinders.

Noise is about the same as a gas motor, but there is no odor like a gas engine, and no fuel to spill. When I put up the motor for the months I don't sail, it takes very little effort to get it going when I'm ready to use it.

As with most small motors (gas, propane, etc.) there is are neutral and forward only, for reverse you spin the head 180 degrees.

John

[GreenLake]

Any weight on the transom is going to affect sailing some. I find the DS has a tendency to drag the transom. However, the effect may be small enough to not matter unless racing. For flat water and not attempting to fight wind, 2.5hp would seem ample to get the DS to hull speed. More hp might be useful in case of wind and waves from the wrong direction.

[klb67]

Another data point for you - I have an early 80s Evinrude 2 hp that I use on my canoe occasionally and on my DS occasionally. I sail an inland lake, so I don't have tides to consider - if you do, a bigger motor might be needed. This 2 HP is more than enough to motor out of any place that I can't sail out of, even with a few people on board. NADA says the dry weight is 24 pounds. It is on a motor mount, but could go on the transom. I can imagine the propane motor would be nice if it is in the budget, but if it is not, these little OMC motors are fairly robust, not that loud and only a few $100 used.

[jeadstx]

I have a little 2hp Evinrude (model 1940) that came with my boat. It had enough power to propel the boat. The Lehr propane motors (4 stroke) cost wise are about the same price as the gasoline 4 stroke motor for the same HP. My 2.5hp motor was $1050 and I got a little break on taxes as it was "environmentaly friendly".

John