New 20 horsepower outboard

[Gotro]

I’m thinking about purchasing a 20 hp outboard, Suzuki, Yamaha or tahatsu. I’m sure somebody has a 20 hp behind their M or their 26X boat and I am wondering what kind of cruising speed I can get with this motor

[dlandersson]

Based on other's reports - 6 mph - hull speed.

I’m thinking about purchasing a 20 hp outboard, Suzuki, Yamaha or tahatsu. I’m sure somebody has a 20 hp behind their M or their 26X boat and I am wondering what kind of cruising speed I can get with this motor

[FittsFly]

There is a another thread on this forum talking about that.I'll see if i can find it and paste it here. I have a 50 HP Suzuki and I think the boat was originally designed to have a 50 a couple considerations and take aways that I've gotten on downsizing are : 1-To empty the ballast on the water you may need more speed than a 20 would provide . 2-Others mentioned that their 50 is quieter than a 20 when cruising just below hull speed because you can run at lower RPMs with a bigger prop at the same speed. 3- The difference I saw between a 50 and a 20 in weight was only about a 100 lbs so it wasnt huge if you were looking for weight savings. I too am thinking of a smaller motor when mine gives out (very old) but these are factors I'm pondering.

[lelandmorris]

I you are considering a new motor shop around for one with pre - tariff.
Lee

[Russ]

There is a another thread on this forum talking about that.I'll see if i can find it and paste it here. I have a 50 HP Suzuki and I think the boat was originally designed to have a 50 a couple considerations and take aways that I've gotten on downsizing are : 1-To empty the ballast on the water you may need more speed than a 20 would provide . 2-Others mentioned that their 50 is quieter than a 20 when cruising just below hull speed because you can run at lower RPMs with a bigger prop at the same speed. 3- The difference I saw between a 50 and a 20 in weight was only about a 100 lbs so it wasnt huge if you were looking for weight savings. I too am thinking of a smaller motor when mine gives out (very old) but these are factors I'm pondering.

All excellent points. We have a Suzi 70 and rarely run it at high RPMs because of the noise. I sure like having that reserve power when dealing with heavy winds/seas.

More discussion here:
viewtopic.php?t=23880

[lelandmorris]

Some day you may want to sell your Mac; think about resale; would you want to buy a Mac with 20 HP?

Lee

[Gotro]

I think I will shop around for a used 50 horsepower. Price of new outboards are out of my price range. My Tahatsu 50 is not running any more and came with the boat . It’s a 1995 macx 26. one of the 1 st 100 boats out of the factory. Did not get to sail this year at all . thanks for the info on the 20 horse power.

[dlandersson]

As I recall, a while back someone was listing a X with a 25 HP motor. Sat for quite a while.

Some day you may want to sell your Mac; think about resale; would you want to buy a Mac with 20 HP?

Lee

[lelandmorris]

My new 60HP Honda cost about $10,000 including all necessary cables accessories and installation. Pre tariff motor. Outboard motors are ridiculously expensive. Good luck in your search for a good used motor. Try to avoid one that has been used primarily in Salt water.

Lee

[beechkingd]

Mine originally had a 30 hp on it when I bought it and it was awful. It was extremely unstable at full power with the ballast in, it would almost plane but was nearly uncontrollable at 9-11 knots. If the ballast was empty, it would do 12-13 knots and was better. I removed the 30 and put on a 90hp, it transformed the boat! It sailed just as well with the 30 as it did with a 90 but it actually worked well with the amount of power it should have had from the start. IMO If you want a sailboat with a 20 hp, get one with a displacement hull that sails better.

[OverEasy]

I you are considering a new motor shop around for one with pre - tariff.
Lee

Good luck on finding anything but a used one as “pre-tariff” … my local egg prices, while avialable are still as high as ever… never mind the price of any imported marine hardware

Seems that once prices quickly go up there is a long term resistance to lowering prices back down… We’ve been wanting to get a drum anchor line/chain winch from Australia for nearly a year (just as the import tariff taxes were imposed… not much of anything has changed from those artificial substantial cost increases … no valid alternative domestic manufacturer with a reliable durable product either… so much for that… … things are what they are and we’ve just gotta deal with the cards

[kmclemore]

I believe the subject in this thread was 20-horse outboards, which brand to choose, and the value/difference between a 20 and 50 hp motor.

Let's keep on that path, shall we?

Thanks.