22 cruiser powered with a Honda 50

[jefff]

Hi all,

I have been lurking for a long time but finally registered. So I'm new to the forums and I am a prospective owner. I found a boat near me that I'm interested in and thought I'd ask your opinions on it.

It's a 22 cruiser that's powered with a single Honda 50. From looking around it seems like this is way smaller than what most people power their 22s with. This motor is a few years old (2002 I think?) and has 600 hours on it.

I'm okay with the 50 if it's up to the job. But if it's stressing and the boat is a pig then I'd rather have something larger. Plus, if it's working harder and already has 600 hours on it then I imagine that will shorten its life.

Give me your opinions and I'll chew on them.

Thanks,

[Captains Cat]

It MAY get up on a plane. Depends on the loading of the boat and the cleanliness of the bottom and the prop.

IMHO, it's too small. Twin 50's would be fine (I had twin 45's on my 1995 CD 22) but then you'd have one old engine and one new one.

I'd try to bargain for the boat w/o the engine or plan on trading the engine for a new 90 EFI engine after you bought it, depending of course, on the condition of everything else.

If it's at a dealer, no problem, just have them replace it and sell the 50!!

Charlie

[jefff]

Charlie,

Thanks for the reply. That's about what I thought. Most twins I've seen on 22s are 45s or 50s. I'm not big on twins in general and since these boats don't require a huge amount of power I'd prefer a single 90 or similar.

This is being sold by a private party so I'd have to figure in the cost of a repower into the price.

Thanks,

[Sea Wolf]

jefff-

50 HP on a CD-22 is WEAK by at least 20 HP!

Charlie's advice is excellent!

The only way I'd have a 50 on a CD-22 is if I were going to operate only within small lakes, canals, rivers, and harbors where limited, non-planing speed is the norm.

Your initial assessment is correct:

"....it's stressing and the boat is a pig then I'd rather have something larger. Plus, if it's working harder and already has 600 hours on it then I imagine that will shorten its life."

Good Luck!

Joe.

[jefff]

Joe,

Thanks again for confirming what I figured on.

So here's a new question:

Assuming this 50 with 600 hours is in decent shape and has been maintained well, what is a ballpark cost to trade it in on a new(er) 90 or similar? I can guess at the cost of the 90 but have no idea what I could get for the 50.

It all comes down to money. If it totals to too much then I'll have to keep looking.

Oh, and yes, this boat has been used mostly on smooth water at slow speeds.

Thanks again,

[Captains Cat]

Jeff, Joe and I would be just guessing. (never stopped us before though ). On edit: The price difference on new 90s vs 50s for Hondas is about $2000 ($8500 vs $6500). Just for reference...

Maybe the dealers who actually know... will chime in with a ball park figure.

Charlie

[Rob & Karen]

It seems like your easiest repower would be to a single honda. I would try to find a good honda dealer near you and get a quote for the repower, including trade. The trade value will probably be an estimate until they see the honda 50, but they should be able to get close.

Rob

[BRAZO]

We have twin 50's but 90% of the time we have one out if the water. With our boat we can only go around 10 MPH Max without it lugging. If you like just going slow and enjoying the cruise, then 50 is enough. Just like owning a trawler.

[Casey]

JF,

As mentioned, a single 50hp outboard is too small for putting a CD22 on plane on a day-to-day basis. As Charlie mentioned, depending on load and other factors, you may be able to do it - but it'll really tax the engine over the long term. ...an 600 hours would be considered long term. If the seller put 600 hours on the boat he/she's a confirmed boater; my bet is they knew Exactly what they wanted, and why.

Find our how did the previous owner ACTUALLY USED the boat. He/she may have been very well aware of what kind of boating they wanted to do, and powered the vessel accordingly. It could be that virtually the entire life of the vessel was at a 6mph cruising/displacement mode, and thus NOT overtaxing the 50hp motor at all. A 50hp motor might be a very good, and VERY economical alternative - if it fit's the kind of boating you plan to do. And if nothing else, you could hang another 50hp on the boat at some point if you decided you gotta go Fast.

In addition to simply rejecting the CD22 because the single 50hp motor is too small; look at other factors as well. If the vessel appears to be well maintained, clean and trim, decent maintenance records, and the owner seems forthright - maybe you've found a boat that's great, but has never even been on-plane! Check to see if there is a chartplotter or depth sounder. sometimes they will have an odometer/mileage feature THAT CANNOT BE RESET. If so, you might be able to determine the total mileage on the vessel. Divide the total mileage by the engine hours and you might get the boats Average speed over the life of the engine. That might tell you something useful as well.

And if nothing else, the 40-50 gallons of fuel might give you some great, long distance (but slow...) economical Cruising!

Actually, I think we'll begin to see folks doing MORE displacement boat cruising to stretch their money. I've found that it virtually doubles your gas mileage (thus halves the fuel cost), and almost makes boating affordable again! ...and going Slow can have it's own benefits (ask any sailboater!).

[jefff]

Casey,

Thanks, all good thoughts. I know where this boat was used and from the condition have a pretty idea of how it was used.

I *like* to go slow and admittedly spend a great deal of time just tooling around or anchored. But, I'm also not going to stay home when it rains or the water is a little rough. There are times when I'd like to get someplace or need to beat a tide or whatever. That's when I'd prefer more power.

I'll factor it all in to my decision and offer price.

Thanks,

JF

[Fishhawk]

Jeff,

I cannot disagree with any of the previous advice.

But, perhaps you might take it for a ride.

You may be surprised how well it actually moves the boat. If the prop is properly pitched it will plane a lightly loaded 22.

Most CD owners have quite a bit more horsepower available than they really need............ most of the time.

Good luck with your decision.

Dan

[Chuckpacific]

Remember that weight (passengers, cargo, gas) and its placement is critical with these boats. Me, I carry everything but the kitchen sink so I need the power I have.
Being as light as possible can make a big difference.

[Chester]

The single 50 is a curious choice and makes me wonder about the owners knowledge level. It probably could plane a lightly loaded boat in good conditions but it would be working very (too?) hard. Add contrary conditions to the mix and look out. If they just run around at hull speed a 15-20 would be enough.
The boat was designed with a 75 HP engine in mind IIRC.

Keep us posted.

[A Fishin C]

No way to the 50. Consider that at 600 hours this engine has been working hard. You need a 90. No ands, ifs or buts.

I would not be too optomistic about what you'll get on a trade in for the 50.

[Wefings]

Just so we don't have to repeat this thread too many more times , Ill give you a great trade value for the 50 and replace it with the 90 of your choice and a reasonable deal [of course],I consider this partially a public service as this is one of the more repetitive threads and always reaches a similar conclusion . The 50 don't cut it .50s are for 16's . The boat [and you] want a 90 HP.
Only partially kidding............
Marc