A Honda 2/2.3 is just slightly underpowered for a M17. Is fine for going in/out of marinas and for calm waters but if motoring into any wind or seas you will be going way below cruising speed (IMO about 4.75 knots is about the best motoring speed for range & noise). The Honda 2/2.3 will get the boat up to hull speed, but doesn't have enough extra power to push through a 1'+ sea or overcome the wind resistance in the rigging - above 12-15 knots. I know folks that used a Yamaha 2.5 on their M17 while cruising the Islands and did fine until the wind/seas came up. They always made it to the destination but went slow. The greater problem with the Yamaha is only available as a short shaft so the prop would cavitate when the seas came up or person went forward. On a perfectly calm day - no wind and no waves and no chop from a tide rip - a Honda 2/2.3 will get you there at 4.75 knots over water at 3/4-ish to 4/5th throttle. A 4HP motor is a great match for the M17 ... sadly no motors are now made in this power size that are light (65-75#) as all manufacturers now use a 6HP engine and just de-rate the motor for a 5hp and a 4hp rating (now weighting 90#+). There is the Tohatsu 3.5HP with 20' shaft that has an advertised weight, dry, of 43#. The only issue with them, from what I hear, is they can have carb issues. :: Dave Scobie :: SV SWALLOW - https://sv-swallow.com :: Montgomery 6'8" #650 :: Truck camper - https://truckpopupcamper.wordpress.com/ :: Ramblings - https://scoobsramblings.wordpress.com/ :: former M17 owner #375 SWEET PEA - https://m17-375.com/ <http://www.m17-375.webs.com/> :: former M15 owner #288 - http://www.freewebs.com/m15-name-scred On Fri, Feb 4, 2022 at 11:53 AM Peter Zimowsky via montgomery_boats < montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> wrote:
Hi folks: I’ve been sailing the San Juans for a few years and have a Mercury 4-stroke, 4 hp, that has served me well in getting around the islands on those windless days. However, I’ve been hearing more and more about not leaving the motor on the transom when traveling. I always have. But I’m getting a little worried about it. It weighs 75 pounds. It’s a real pain to put on and off the boat. So, I’m thinking of the 2.3 honda as an alternative and at much less the weight. Have you guys had good luck with that motor? And, is it enough power to push through the currents of the islands. Thanks, Pete WinterSky (Zimowsky)
San Juan Islander lost inland - an old salty stuck in the sagebrush
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"We Can Not Control the Wind But We Can Adjust Our Sails"