C-dory outboard power

B

Baxter

New member
I may be out of the loop. I have a Venture 23. Duel Honda 50’s Boat came used with these engines. And, it was in great shape. Never had two engines but liked the idea. Did use once for emergency as took out prop and lower nit damage with log. To rough to change in Pudget Sound So motored home at reasonable speed. Don’t want to get into two vs one debate, like the two for maneuvering if I was to buy again I would think about it. Cost more to run two than one.

When I was a kid people put two outboards on because biggest made was 30hp. Times have changed.

But here is question it seems people are re-powering with bigger and bigger motors. I have cruised Puget Sound for years and up in to Canada 200 miles.
Through rough waters and heavy tides such as Campbell River. Never lacked powers to do any of this.

Now I would add we cruise around 15 knots because we are there to enjoy scenery and is economical cruise for my set up. Most times in these waters.
Can’t go 20 Mostly times not because Of power but rough waves not
Allowing safe travel or pound to much.

Why should I spend $15k + to re-power? To a 150?

What am I missing? Or a re-power I see to gain 15 tp 20 hp?

Just asking. Don’t want argument just heard the logic.

Thanks
 
Baxter,
Your point is valid for me as well, as I have a 200 hp outboard and though I could go fast, I have only cranked it up once, to ensure that it was running within the max RPM range.
I cruise between 13 and 16 KTS, so I could easily live with less HP. The only good side of too much, is that if I am loaded down and need to get away from a storm event, I still have that option.
 
When i’m doing 15kts I feel like I’m hauling butt and seems like I could spin a prop on a deadhead at any time. 80hp on a 22’ and I hope to never need to go 20+ because that means something nasty is chasing me and i’m out of things to throw at it. Seems like theres always something floating in the water over here, and flat bottoms dont seem to displace timber very well. Now if I ran out for halibut or something that involved a bit of miles staring at flat and open ocean, I may want as much power as I could afford. Sounds like you know what works for you already!

I was cross shopping motor sailers and single engine displacement boats when I settled on the cdory, so top speed has never really been a concern.
 
Not everyone needs a bunch of power. And there is nothing wrong with a nice scenic relaxing cruise. If you boat mostly on smaller inland lakes, or in small bays, it just doesn't matter how fast you can go all that much as it just doesn't make much difference if you travel 40 mph or 20 mph to go that ten miles. And, the point that the seas often do not let you travel quickly is legitimate for sure.

But, if the distances are quite far, like running across Prince William Sound, it is nice to be able to comfortably cruise 25-30 mph and actually get somewhere in a given amount of time. For example, it takes about 7-8 hours to cross the Sound going to Cordova at 15 mph. At 25-30 mph, it takes around 4. Yeah, it's beautiful....but when you have seen it 20,000 times it kind of all starts to look the same. For many retirees, it doesn't matter that much anyway if you go at it slow, but if you only have 2-3 days to play around with, I don't want to spend entire days driving the boat getting to where I want to be. I'd rather be in my kayak, on a nice quite beach, in a protected anchorage, fishing, and well.....you get the idea.....not driving forever......lol.....
 
"...if you only have 2-3 days to play around with, I don't want to spend entire days driving the boat getting to where I want to be."
Click to expand...

That is exactly why I got into C-Dory instead of another sail boat.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
The Yamaha 115 that came with my 2018 23 Venture works fine for my purposes. I cruise about 20kts at 5k RPM and get close to the same efficiency as previous ‘07 22 Cruiser with a Honda BF90. Top speed so far is 27kts WOT in flat water. The Yamaha 150 would be good as well, but is 100lbs heavier. So many things to think about!
 
We have the cc 23 venture one of the first ones so it was rated at 120 hp.So we had a 115 Yamaha on it when we purchased it in 2008. Great motor but when the mercury 115 CT came along I jumped at getting one.

top speed Yamaha 115 32-34mph 5500-5600rpm
cruising speed 18-20mph 2000rpm

top speed mercury 115 CT 32-34 mph 5500rpm
cruising speed 20-21 4000rpm

The biggest difference is the out of the hole shot and around the marina much much better control so bigger prop same as the 150 Yamaha or merc So the benefits of the bigger motor without
the expense or weight ,The only downside is top speed which is not a problem for me .
 
Unless your motors are shot I wouldn't repower. Those Hondas were great motors. If they're getting towards the end of their life that makes sense. I've spent time on a 23 with twin Yamaha 60s and it had plenty of power. Not sure it would be a whole lot different with Honda 50s.

If you're actually considering repowering I'd look at twin Yamaha 70s. Your transom is already drilled for twins. Not that you couldn't plug them and redrill for a single of course but why bother. Also, I'm indifferent to the debate on twins vs singles. I've had c-dorys with both and don't really have a preference.
 
I've had twin engines on numerous boats over the past 40+ years or so.

While the performance stats may favor a single engine, there is more to consider.

First and fore most, if you're buying, or have, a boat you have "recreational funds".
Why not make the best choice for the most grueling and service needy, hardest
working marine environment component: your engine(s).

Realize, pushing a boat, two engines properly propped, will work less than one
engine of about the same total HP. There is simply more prop area/hp ratio.

Less work, over time, usually equates to less problems and expense.

Thus, for your 23 footer, I'd go, w/o hesitation, to 2 x 70's.

Aye.
 
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