What HP outboard?

It has been a little over a year since my husband and I took our first sailing course (classroom). Since then we took a basic keel boat course, charter a Capri 22 about once a month and sail with friends on a Santana 23 about once a month.

During this period we have talked with a lot of people, read a lot of articles, and feel that the boat that will meet our needs/goals for the next few years is the Capri 18. I was doing some research today to get some benchmarks for pricing when I came across your article, "In Praise of Day Sailing." It helped validate our thoughts and I can't wait for my husband to read the article.

If I may ask a question. I have heard people in the sailing club we belong to talk about
bad weather days on the lake on their boats and how even with the bigger motors they had bought, they barely made headway to the ramp. Our lakes can be quite busy in the summer (Arizona folks seem not to fear the sun), and the area by the ramps can get quite crazy when everyone is trying to get off the lake at the same time. I know nothing about pairing outboard motor size to boat size.

There are two Capri 18's currently for sale locally. One has a Honda 5 and the other a Nissan 5. Would that be the appropriate HP for an 18 foot sailboat? While I am asking, if all things were equal, would you be able to say one of those motors was better than the other.

Hope you have been enjoying some good day sails this summer. Our next one will be in San Diego Bay for a couple of days next week.

Regards,
Diane
 

Diane,

I have a 4 HP 4 stroke on my Catalina 18 now and am more than happy with
the power it generates. My previous boat was a 23' Sonar the 3.5 HP 2
stroke I had was strong enough to handle 2-3 foot seas.

Personally, I'd recommend anything 4 HP or more. Four stroke engines
undoubtedly cost more than 2 strokes but the fuel efficiency and lower
noise pollution more than make up for the cost. The 5 HP you're considering
should be fine.

I'll share this with the Catalina 18 National Association membership and
see what the opinions of others might be on this issue. Being sailors, you
should expect a variety of opinions (with attitude, thank you very much
<g).

Regards,
Ken
 

Hi Diane,

I have a Nissan 5HP 2 strokes on my Catalina 18, I sail on Oneida Lake, NY
it is a very shallow lake and it can become quite rough 5'-8' waves. My
motor does very well and happy to have the 5HP.

Alfredo