Pearson 26 outboard suggestions/comments?

[Brandon Gaspard]

Hello everyone!

I'm in the market for a new outboard.  The 1974 15hp Sailmaster is finally giving up.  So now I am considering a few options.  First off, let me make note of one thing, my Pearson 26 DOES NOT have the original transon mount of the 1978 Pearson 26.  A previous owner fiberglassed the engine well in and reenforced the wall with adjustable transom mount.  It's kinda shakey with the 15hp but not with my buddy's 5hp Coleman.  So weight is an issue. 

Option 1 - Tohatsu 9.8/Yamaha 9.9 4 stroke.  Should be enough power from what I've read, but cost and weight are a deterrent.
Option 2 - Tohatsu 8 hp 4 stroke.  On the verge of underpowered for a 5500lb displacement boat.  BUT, I don't do very much motoring.  I sail in Lake Ponchartrain, which has 1.5ft tides at best and I don't sail in heavy winds.  My motoring from marina to the lake is short, maybe a few hundred yards.
Option 3 - Tohatsu 6hp Sail Pro HIGH THRUST option.  XL shaft option, alternator, and salt water ready.  I really like that it's only 60lbs, I'm concerned that 6hp is going to be for too underpowered even thought this motor is the HT option?

I have placed a 5 hp Coleman on my sailboat, and it pushed it to hull speed with a light current.  It was running at high RPMs but not full throttle, maybe 3/4.  The 15hp Sailmaster pushes at hull speed at approx 1/2 throttle, when it decides it wants to run.

Anyone with experience and opinions on these outboards?  I'm leaning towards the 6hp Sail Pro or the 8hp Tohatsu for cost and weight considerations.  I'd really like a Honda but $$$ and weight are prohibitive.  Thanks in advance for any suggestions or opinions.

[Dave Cole]

Have you considered having the 15 hp Sailmaster rebuilt? 

 

If the lower unit is good and the cylinders are in good shape, I'd rebuild it. 

A compression check would be a good place to start if the lower unit is good. 

 

The old 2 strokes were very simple engines. 

 

Ignition coils oftentimes go bad on old outboards and become intermittent.

 

FWIW, this is a super slow time for most marine shops in the great white north...  a good time to hire an outboard mechanic! 

 

Dave

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From: pearso...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pearso...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brandon Gaspard
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2015 11:50 AM
To: pearso...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [pearson ] Pearson 26 outboard suggestions/comments?

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[Jeff Griglack]

I imagine it might even be a slow time for mechanics in the New Orleans area.  It's not that warm where you are, right now, and a lot of people will probably still be nursing hangovers from last Tuesday.  I agree with the rebuild idea.  I know a guy, near me in MA, who collects and rebuilds old outboards, and he would consider your 1974 engine to be relatively new.

Jeff

[Brandon Gaspard]

I've paid to replace the coils, points, choke assembly, kill button,  and various other parts and I've already put too much money into the Sailmaster.  Now it has compression issues on both cylinders, still only starts when it wants to, and is generally not dependable.  In addition to these expenses I've had to pay for 2 tows.  I'm done messing around with this motor, as I could have purchased a new one with the money I've sunk in, and a complete rebuild would cost me several hundred $$$.

[Gurish, Michael F.,Ph.D.]

I’ll chime with my experience with a ‘76 7.5 HP Merc, an ’81 8HP Evinrude and a ’91 9.9 HP Johnson- all 2 strokes. I find mixing the oil and gas no problem because you use so little and the lighter weight is a plus but the EtOH seems to be a buggaboo making these engines harder to start. The electric start on the Merc was the best so i would suggest that be a real option. Regarding HP, I sail in Boston Harbor and when the wind pipes up before a storm I find running for the mooring  is much nicer with the 10 HP and it had no problem towing a P30 down the river to its mooring behind the P26. However,  both the 7.5/8 also did just fine getting me in, just not as much in reserve but I never have had a problem getting home despite the headwind that blows right out of my marina AS LONG AS THE MOTOR RUNS RELIABLY. Even the 7.5 HP which did not have a high thrust prop got me above 5 knots with the headwinds and waves (2-3 feet). If you don’t get caught out in gales, I would go with the 60 lb motor, as getting it on and off is easier on everyone including the bracket. I suspect that while it might not do hull speed in a bad headwind with significant seas, that does not seem to be a real concern given how you operate. I will also say that using older motors, they have all died on me at times and so i always carry BoatUS towing. The $135 per year is well worth the investment as I have had the motor conk out on the way in and they happily came and towed me in for nothing. I will also 2^nd the suggestion of a rebuild of the motor (at least cylinder rings and bearing) as that might get you a motor that runs like new for significantly less $$ given all the things you have changed on it already. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with it and enjoy the sailing on Ponchartrain!

Mike

MisUnderstanding

Wessagussett YC

Weymouth, MA

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[PQU...@aol.com]

We had a four stroke Honda 10 HP and was more than adequate power.

 

If I were buying an engine for a P-26 today I would look at the Honda 8. We installed a single-lever, remote control for our Honda 10 on the starboard wall of the cockpit foot well, even with the forward end of the tiller. I was able to speed-up or slow the engine and shift from forward to reverse with my foot, while facing forward.

 

It was far more convenient and much safer. It was a great arrangement; one I would recommend for every Pearson 26

 

PeterO ~~~~~~_/) ~~~~~~

Lake Ontario @ Rochester New York

[Dave Cole]

If you have really low compression it is going to be hard to start.    A cylinder hone job and new rings might bring it back to life.

Parts are still available. 

 

If you put it on Ebay...  let us know!  :-)

 

If you are all about sailing your boat and not motoring, then the Tohatsu 6hp Sail Pro is probably plenty to get you in and out of the dock.

 

But a bigger motor could be useful if you find yourself with the wind on the nose and a building storm when you are a few miles from the dock.

 

Tohatsu has a good reputation and I think they make most of the small outboards sold in the US now. 

 

Dave

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From: pearso...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pearso...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brandon Gaspard
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2015 1:23 PM
To: pearso...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [pearson ] Re: Pearson 26 outboard suggestions/comments?

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[Guy Johnson]

Consider a towing policy from BOAT US. It's relatively inexpensive. 

Guy

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Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:23:05 -0800
From: brandonga...@gmail.com

To: pearso...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [pearson ] Re: Pearson 26 outboard suggestions/comments?

[Brandon Gaspard]

I ended up purchasing the Tohatsu 6hp Sail Pro.  I'll let everyone know what I think.  Main reasons for purchasing this one: 60lbs, alternator, flush out, high thrust, and of course price.  This is a new (to me) 78 p26 that I paid $2000 for in good shape, but I really didn't want to pay more for a new motor than I did for the boat.  Or main use is just putzing around Lake P in New Orleans, short afternoon cruises and maybe weekend trips, but nothing long distance or dangerous seas.  The motor will likely only run for 10 minutes at a time just to get us to/from the marina.

On that note, I will be selling the SailMaster 15hp.  I'm gonna try local first, then eBay.  I'll let everyone know if I post it on eBay.

Thanks for the suggestions!

PS I did get a BOAT US membership after the last tow.  Hahahaha

[Jeff Griglack]

My only concern with the smaller motor would be if you ever decide to leave the lake.  What's the current like getting out to, or back from, the Gulf and will the 6 hp have enough power to get you through?

Jeff

[Dave Cole]

Did you end up buying the outboard locally or via the web? 

 

The Boat US towing membership is hard to beat.

 

Dave

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From: pearso...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pearso...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Brandon Gaspard

Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2015 10:32 AM

To: pearso...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [pearson ] Re: Pearson 26 outboard suggestions/comments?

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