Glen-L.com

I'm looking at getting a 4 stroke outboard.

2.5hp = €600
3.5hp = €735 (same size & weight)

Will 2.5hp make hull speed?
Will the 3.5hp version be more fragile (a higher tune)

Anyone (esp if you have a Glen L 14) any thoughts?


Thanks
D

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At our local boat show last week I got to talking to our local sailboat dealer about these electric motors.
http://www.torqeedo.com/us/hn/products/ ... -1003.html They really impressed me, you might look into them.

6 hours run time at 3hp and 6hp at full throttle. Fully submersable, all self contained, no wires, battery pops off the top to charge at home. The do cost a few hundred more than a comparable gas motor.

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ouch over £1300

A 4 stroke 2.5 is about £500

Based on the speeds they quote for a small sailboat, I think that they may be overestimating the equivalent hp?

D

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Hey! I built a boat ! No Really, I did !
http://davesboat.blogspot.com/

As a reference,I owned a 13 1/2' Blue Jay sailboat and used an old 2 HP Johnson 2 stroke on it. It went fast enough that I had to plug the centerboard trunk to keep water from blowing in.

If the size and weight are the same,and money is no issue,I think I'd go for the 3.5 and throttle it back if need be.
That way you could use it on something else in the future.

Either way,I think you'd be fine....it probably doesn't take much to push that boat

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The 3.5 is basically the same engine, possibly with a different program in the electronic ignition, or different carbs / values.

It's the same weight, size, cc etc.

So I think the 2.5 hp may last longer, since it's less highly tuned.

D

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Hey! I built a boat ! No Really, I did !
http://davesboat.blogspot.com/

I had a Catalina 14.2 prior to building my Glen-L 14 and had a 1.2 hp motor which was plenty for getting back home when the wind died.

In the end I got the Suzi 2.5hp

I should have the boat in the water by end of June.....

I'll let you know how well the suzi works

D

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Hey! I built a boat ! No Really, I did !
http://davesboat.blogspot.com/

I just bought a 5hp Tohatsu for a Glen-L 15 and it is way more power than necessary but comes with a 3.5gal tank for 1200$. It is the same as a Mercury. Tohatsu makes Mercury up to 40hp. I looked up a hull speed calculation on the internet and since a sailboat has "rocker" it won't plane and is limited to the Hull speed calculations. Mine is 5.1 knots about 5.5MPH. A 1.5hp motor would probably do that fine. But worst case, against a strong wind and waves 2.5 would almost certainly be adequate. A 4hp Tohatsu is no cheaper because the tank has to be bought separately.

Hope this is helpful.

Jeff.

I've been out with the Suzi.

It it plenty of power.

It's not run in yet, and I don't have GPS numbers.

But you don't need any more than that

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Hey! I built a boat ! No Really, I did !
http://davesboat.blogspot.com/