Ensenada 20

[nightvision]

Hi all,<br />I was just given an Ensenada 20 sail boat. It weigh 1600 lbs and the ballast is 550. It's a 20 footer. <br /><br />I will be using this boat in mainly small lakes. I like to know what horse power I would need to push this sail boat around. I was thinking about a 7.5 or 9 HP. Will I need more power? <br /><br />Thanks.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Ensenada 20

Probably not that much. I would go 4-6, and 6 might be really pushing it.<br />EDIT: Sorry, a lot beamier than I was thinking so 4hp may be a little weak (especially on older engines). There's some really good information out there:<br /> http://www3.sympatico.ca/rodney.brandon/faqs.htm <br />8hp may really be pushing it as I see one person is complaining about their transom flexing with that. Get reverse if you can. While it's effectiveness is pretty limited on sailboats, it's a handy feature to have maneuvering. Throttle and steering friction controls are a must. Well, so long as the throttle stays put when you let go of it.

 

[flashback]

Re: Ensenada 20

ditto on Paul, I have a 27 footer and use a 7.5 honda which will push the boat along at 5 knots with no problems.. you could use 4hp just fine. remember, less weight hanging off the back, is a good thing...most of the time..also saw your post on painting, figuring the sq. ft. is a little tricky for the deck area, but for top sides its not so bad. if your topsides are say 3 feet wide at the bow and 2 feet amidships and 20 feet long, just average it out to get approx sq. ft...in this example you have approx. 50 sq. ft. per side

 

[BillP]

Re: Ensenada 20

For small lakes a 2hp would do in relative light winds and 4hp in normal conditons but won't have much reserve power. A 6hp would be ideal for most conditions people sail in on lakes. If fighting high winds and chop a little more hp might be needed. A 9hp would push it in tropical storm conditions. Prop cavitation is a problem when hung off the back of sailboats. One way to get around that (besides the longer shaft) is using a larger engine to get slower prop rpms at same hull speeds as a smaller motor at high rpms.<br /><br />If money is an issue find an old 4hp or 6hp Johnson sailor model...it has the extra long shaft, bullet proof, easy to work on and parts are everywhere.