Engine downsize final thoughts

[Ixneigh]

Performance eval

Its no 60 hp.
The 20 hp with flat pitch four bladed prop.
Low speed maneuvering is good. Decent reverse and turning. Better than expected. Top speed is hull speed for the boat.
Gas consumption at low speed (4.5 knots) seems equal to the sixty. (10 mpg) The flat pitch is a drawback there but they want a prop which will get max engine rpm WOT.
Seems like we gained 1/2 a knot in sailing speed.
Engine can be flushed at anchor using a pump bought off Temu for 25 bucks. I added desalt solution to the water. Note the etec was only flushed at the end of the season and it lasted 14 years.

Ix

[FittsFly]

I was thinking of downsizing my outboard from my suzuki 50 HP but what deters me is not that I'd be giving up speed as I lake sail only but the noise factor. I found the Decibels of my suzuki 50 HP at hull speed would be less than a smaller motor at hull speed. I dont remember where i found the info but its somewhere out there.

[leefrankpierce]

viewtopic.php?t=30638&sid=a48ceabfd44a2 ... f2e9302f7b
OverEasy talks about the sound differences between his Suzuki and a Tohatsu.
Looks like it is a 2 vs 4 stroke comment though, simular size motors.
I too remember someones comment about RPM/Prop vs sound, but have not found it.

[Russ]

Sounds like it's working as you expected. Also sounds like your old motor gave you plenty of use.

[Ixneigh]

At 4.5 knots the motor is quieter. At hull speed WOT its a bit more noise, but I will hardly ever run it like that. In fact Id like to get an electric kicker so that i might hardly even ever use it at all. Id like to set that up to charge from its own solar panel.

Ix