 Repowering an RL 28 | It looks like I have found an RL 28 to buy. I will be buying it without the motor that it comes with as I never trust S/H outboards and detest two strokes. My thoughts are that a Tohatsu 6hp sail drive four stroke with high thrust prop would possibly be the choice for me. Does anybody have one of these on a 28?
I am aware that bigger is better power wise but weight and size can go against this. I had a 9,9 mercury 4 stroke on a Sunmaid recently and it was way too heavy for the balance of the boat and dragged the stern down.
I see in the "survey" that a lot of folks have 15hp ob's in their 28s. This seems to be overkill in a boat that is not that heavy.
I will be sailing in the area of the Gold Coast and Moreton Bay.
I will appreciate your input in getting the right motor for my newest boat.
Cheers, Coops.
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | Coops.
Go to surveys-----motors on this site, and you will find a considerable amount of imformation on motors already fitted to RL28s, along with some frank comments on performence from owners.
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | Thank you for that Rob. Yes I have read the survey thread but note that there was nobody with that particular motor. Was hoping that somebody may have tried one in the last few years.
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | One other comment about 2 strokes. If you totally submerse a 2 stroke and fill it with water, all you have to do is pull the spark plugs, spin it over a few times, put the plug back in it, and you are good to go. A 4 stroke would leave you stranded in that situation. 2 strokes have their quirks, they especially like the throttle just barely cracked when starting, but once you find that sweet spot, they are very easy to start. Because 2 strokes run oil through the cylinders, that also tends to protect them from internal corrosion.
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | Thank you all for the replies so far. I guess that I should look at a new 2 stroke at the very least after reading them.
Cheers.
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | We picked the boat up and moved it to it's new home. Have not settled on a motor yet so we used a little 4hp four stroke Mercury that we have. Tide and a little wind against us all the way. Could not use much throttle as we were also running the motor in so kept it to below a quarter open all the way.
It was slow of course, we averaged about 2.5knots for the just over four hour trip but had no problems with keeping her on course and with berthing her. Would not like to be doing it in 20 knot winds but at least we know that it will work on certain days.
I have had two mercury four strokes now, from the same dealer, and have had no complaints about either. They have offered me an 8hp one with a high thrust prop for a very good price so if the measurements fit, which I think they will, I think that I will stay loyal to my local dealer here.
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | We are relatively new to sailing… our RL 28 has a 15 hp Honda 4 stroke...electronic start...it came with our boat...its a very good engine...reliable plus importantly...power when you need it... M K Cowan
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| Re: Repowering an RL 28 | Luckily ours will live on a yard trailer so ended up buying another Mercury 9.9 four stroke, short shaft this time. My local dealer offered a really good deal including prop of my choice and with 5 year factory warranty I could not resist. On top of that he fitted it into the boat as well for no extra charge so did not even have to lift it at all.
Many thanks to all that took the time to respond to my query. Great to see such assistance is at hand.
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