Power match for 22, 23 2nd 25, what seems appropriate

[Donald Tyson]

While looking for a boat I find all types of engine\boat combinations. But it seems that the usual set up would be to have a 90 horse on the 22, a 115 on a 23 and a 150 to 175 on a 25. Would anyone care to elaborate on other choices that they've used or seen?

[ssobol]

Twins on a 22 are between 40 and 60 hp each.

Some people put 115 on 22s and up to 200hp on a 25.

It depends on how you use your boat. If you want to take long cruises (i.e. heavily loaded) at higher speeds you're going to want to go on the high side for motor hp.

On shorter cruises (i.e. light loads), I find that the 90hp on my 22 is way more than enough.

[Donald Tyson]

Your comment on loaded for a trip versus local use is how I was looking at it as well. I was surprised to see 60s and 75 on 22’s.

[rshuman531]

we put a 200 Yamaha on our 2004 CD 25, it was about the same weight as the original Honda 150, performance has been great after 4 years.

[thataway]

Probably the most desirable engine on a heavy 25 is the 200 Yamaha. I have never had more than a 90 on the 22, and it is generally adequate. The 23 can take up to a 150. Yes, there are advantages of the two twins 60 as Jay has on HunkyDory.

I had a 130 (same as 115 block) on the 2003 25. It was a stretch for a month in AK--and at Powell. But I still could plane.

[ATPNW]

We have a 23 that came originally with twin 50’s. In my opinion that setup wad lacking. Once on plane, it never felt like we had adequate power to get out of our own way if we had to. I think it’s best described being in a slow car on the freeway trying to merge or pass someone.

We now have twin 60’s and I feel much more confident. This in my opinion should be the minimum horsepower on a 23’. If you have twins already or wanted to do twins I think the perfect setup would be the twin Yamaha 70’s. The reason we didn’t go this route is for the cost of two 70’s, we could have bought three 60’s.

Since the boat came with twins when we bought it we never seriously considered a single. But id imagine an outboard between115-150 would be sufficient.

[DayBreak]

Don, we chose to go with the Suzuki 140 because of its lightness and that it has a timing chain vs. a belt. At only 2 litre displacement, think of it as being in the 115 hp class motor except at higher rpm where it has good acceleration when using a 19 inch prop. The link below helps you choose the right outboard in the 130 to 140 hp range.

https://www.boatsales.com.au/editorial/details/130-to-140hp-four-strokes-compared-and-dfi-two-strokes-8348/

[Hunkydory]

Jody has a Suzuki 140 on his CD22 “Voyager”. He runs heavy & often at high altitude, so it works well for hm.

Jay

[colbysmith]

I had a Mercury 115 on my 22, only because it came with it. Running with other 22's that had 90's, they seemed to get better gas mileage, and I only had a couple mph in top speed on them. If I would have repowered my 22, I likely would have gone with a 90. I currently have a Yamaha 150 on my 25, and perfectly happy with it. Unless a 200 gets equal mileage, and doesn't weigh anymore, I would likely repower with a 150. Works fine for my needs. Colby

[thataway]

Gary, that "review" was written in 2006. There has been a newer model of the Suzuki 140, which is closer to the 140 hp than the 115. I believe the Honda 130 has been discontinued, and there are different blocks for the 100 and 115 Honda.

One of the issues is that outboard need only be within 15% of the "labeled" horsepower. A 127.5 hp outboard would be a strange animal. Also it is rare that the outboard manufactures give a HP curve, and even more unusual that torque curves are given, where it is just the opposite for Marine Diesel engines.

My Caracal Cat has the older 140 hp Suzuki--and top speed was about 36 mph. I have heard rumors that with a light boat, and the new 140 the top speeds are over 40 mph.

When I had the 2003 C Dory 25, which was under performing with the 130, I considered swappng out the almost new 140 on the Caracal Cat for the 130 Honda. Conclusion after reading what I could find that the Suzuki, it would not significantly perform better

[Donald Tyson]

I simply don't like the sound and feel if boats are lugging along. I had a near flatbottom Carolina Skiff that had a 90 and it was plenty for the 23 foot boat. It had a Yammy 90 2stroke and ran well.
The boat held 12-14 people max and was a fun boat for taking an evening ride for Ice cream with everyone aboard. When it was just me the boat sang but once loaded it sogged. Still when up on plane but didn't trim so nicely and became very wet.
I can't help but think a loop boat would garner much benefit from a little more power in order to maintain more reliable performance.

[DayBreak]

[Foggy]

The bottom line in all these old 'boat v motor' ramblings is, once selected, a
motor powered boat is optimally useful in limited conditions.

If you want more versatility, you are going to need different boats.

The main error in selecting propulsion I have seen is to underpower your boat.

Aye.
Grandpa used to say, "Different boats for different folks."

[Donald Tyson]

I'm on the hunt Foggy and I don't have the budget to afford mistakes. So I'm grateful to this group as a resource. Someday I'll be able to contribute more.

[Foggy]

Donald,

The hunt is often the most pleasurable part of buying a boat (sort of
like dating the field before settling down...).
My experience is don't miss it and sharing it with others dilutes it;
no-one else has your exact ideas, preconceptions, fantasies, plans
or experiences and can tell what you want to do initially (that will change
pretty soon).

And by looking at the number of boats many on this site have, or have had,
you will make some mistakes and end up, later, buying another boat. That's
a blessing in disguise since it affords to go on another hunt.

Aye.