View Full Version : looking for the right motor
juli m
06-17-2002, 12:57 am
I was just given this contender and it is my first boat. I am a beginner sailor and need to find an outboard. I was wondering if a 9 or 10 horse engine would even fit in the hold. Should I add and outside engine mount if I cannot find an engine that fits?Any help in this area I would be greatful for. Thanks
juli m
06-17-2002, 12:57 am
I was just given this contender and it is my first boat. I am a beginner sailor and need to find an outboard. I was wondering if a 9 or 10 horse engine would even fit in the hold. Should I add and outside engine mount if I cannot find an engine that fits?Any help in this area I would be greatful for. Thanks
You have a great first boat. Wish I had been so lucky. Anyway. About Motors. I have a 6 to 7 HP outboard I used to use on a Rhodes 22 (Before I bought my Colummbia 36). If you get down to Baltimore, I will either lend it to you or make you a deal on it. Check the columbia website for more information on your boat. Cam Whetstone cam@columbia36.com
You have a great first boat. Wish I had been so lucky. Anyway. About Motors. I have a 6 to 7 HP outboard I used to use on a Rhodes 22 (Before I bought my Colummbia 36). If you get down to Baltimore, I will either lend it to you or make you a deal on it. Check the columbia website for more information on your boat. Cam Whetstone cam@columbia36.com
bill gilligan
02-08-2003, 02:59 am
I have a c-24 with an 8 hs. 4 stroke honda in the well.My motor handle sticks up too high for the hatch but that was changed before I got her to a big ugly plywood box. Looks bad works fine. Other than that the boat motor combo. is great. No blue smoke stink, fuel efficent, very powerfull reliable and as green as is possable.Turning the motor in the well gives great advantage in tight places and it can stop all fetch when in reverse, both have saved on damage to me and others. Don't use a bracket, keep the prop in the water. good luck B.
bill gilligan
02-08-2003, 02:59 am
I have a c-24 with an 8 hs. 4 stroke honda in the well.My motor handle sticks up too high for the hatch but that was changed before I got her to a big ugly plywood box. Looks bad works fine. Other than that the boat motor combo. is great. No blue smoke stink, fuel efficent, very powerfull reliable and as green as is possable.Turning the motor in the well gives great advantage in tight places and it can stop all fetch when in reverse, both have saved on damage to me and others. Don't use a bracket, keep the prop in the water. good luck B.
J. Richard Lewis
05-03-2004, 05:17 am
I too am having trouble finding right size motor for well in Columbia 22. How about shaft length. 26 inch or shorter. What size and brand motor will fit? any advice?
J. Richard Lewis
05-03-2004, 05:17 am
I too am having trouble finding right size motor for well in Columbia 22. How about shaft length. 26 inch or shorter. What size and brand motor will fit? any advice?
I used to have a 3.3 Merc on my C-26. Fit fine and got the boat around real well. I actually motor-sailed from Marina Del Rey to Dana Point (about 60 miles as the crow flies) using this little engine. The only draw backs were that it was loud, and didn't have a reverse gear. I have since dropped a 7.5 Honda 4 stroke into the well. It barely fits, it's heavy but it has reverse, is very quite and powerful. I would guess the optimum engine for you would be a 6hp. But a 3hp - 5 hp would also work well.
I used to have a 3.3 Merc on my C-26. Fit fine and got the boat around real well. I actually motor-sailed from Marina Del Rey to Dana Point (about 60 miles as the crow flies) using this little engine. The only draw backs were that it was loud, and didn't have a reverse gear. I have since dropped a 7.5 Honda 4 stroke into the well. It barely fits, it's heavy but it has reverse, is very quite and powerful. I would guess the optimum engine for you would be a 6hp. But a 3hp - 5 hp would also work well.
bluemagic
06-06-2004, 01:25 pm
I went from Nags Head NC to Hampton VA with a 8hp Honda and was over powered most of the time even with a dirty bottom. It is a heavy motor and in the rough weather we had I think we would have done much better with a lighter motor in the lazarette versus the Honda on the bracket. Still have the Honda but will put a 2.5 in the lazerrette for most of my sailing. Keeping the Honda for reliabilty. Just don't have much luck with small motors.
Bill24001
06-25-2004, 01:35 pm
I have a Col 23, 1974 and needed an extended shaft motor...I had to lower the motor mount and still could be a little deeper in the water.
Bill24001
06-25-2004, 01:35 pm
I have a Col 23, 1974 and needed an extended shaft motor...I had to lower the motor mount and still could be a little deeper in the water.
lattanzio
08-09-2004, 12:14 am
BACK IN THE LATE 70'S I OWNED A CONTENDER, I A A 6HP LONGSHAFT EVINRUDE, IT FIT FINE.
random winds
10-12-2004, 12:21 pm
I have a volvo penta md7a(13 h.p.)diesel,and would like to repower to a 20-25 h.p.diesel fresh water cooled. Any suggestions as to physical size and max. increase in h.p.
random winds
10-12-2004, 12:21 pm
I have a volvo penta md7a(13 h.p.)diesel,and would like to repower to a 20-25 h.p.diesel fresh water cooled. Any suggestions as to physical size and max. increase in h.p.
I have a contender, and the old sailmaster outboards fit great,5 hp is fine.
I have a contender, and the old sailmaster outboards fit great,5 hp is fine.
Dean Wood
01-02-2005, 05:53 am
I just purchased a Nisson 3 1/2 hp and this is fine for fresh water. It has an internal gas tank and is light, which is critical for keeping the stern out of the water. Get the long shaft. I had an Evenrude 6 which was more power than I needed.
Bill Leask
02-11-2005, 03:44 am
Julie,I had a 24 Contender that I rebuilt and took out to California. I glassed in the lazerette, put an engine mount on the stern and put a Nisson long shaft 8 HP on it. I also won many regattas out of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club with this boat. I had no offshore difficulties and sailed it to Catalina under adverse conditions with no motor issues.
I motor sailed from Marina Del Rey to Dana Point (about 70 miles) using a 3.5 merc. I then traded my 3.5 for a Honda 7.5-4 stroke, which fits my c-26, but is heavier and as more power than I need. I'll probably buy another 3.5 2 stroke next time I vist the inlaws (can't buy new 2 strokes in CA anymore)
Capt-Dave
07-21-2005, 09:16 am
I have owned my Contender for 28 years, the last 10 of which were used to teach sailing. My first engine was a new, long shaft, 2 cylinder, 6 hp Johnson. The performance was excellent. I feel all 6 hp was needed to make headway against a stiff head wind. On the minus side I had to raise the hatch 4 inches. The engine exhause comes out the back of the engine shaft. The exhaust would build up in side the motor well choking the engine. There are several ways to solve this problem. Five years ago I bought a lighter, new 5 hp, 2 cycle, 1 cylinder, regular shaft Nissan. The power was adaquate against a stiff head wind. Exhaust comes out the prop opening. This jet effect does increase the forward power. However, even in nuetral there is forward movement. Reverse is a mess. The short shaft was adaquate. The single cylinder is noisy with way to much viberation. I had to do a little surgery to make it fit. I am retiring on a 34' Grampian ketch.
Matthew Rood
08-24-2005, 03:40 pm
My Father in law just put a brand new 8.8 Yamaha on with a high torque prop, which is just a prop from a 25. It has automatic start with hand controls and Power tilt/trim. It fits fine under the Lazarette and tilts up! The prop is great for switching from reverse to forward, it's so quick. I might be purchasing this boat and unfortunately,he is taking the motor for his new boat. That's okay though I have an old 9hp with auto start as well, we'll see how it works.