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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Honda 8 Extension

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mroettersr
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USA
148 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/03/2003 : 00:05:06

I have a '93 Honda 8 long shaft which starts and runs very well. However, the shaft is too short for out local Lake Erie chop as the prop sometimes cavitates when the stern of the boat pitches up. Does Honda offer a shaft extension kit? If so, has anyone added the extension to make an extra long shaft from the long shaft motor? I thought I would look into this before taking the plunge for a new xls unit. Incidently, once the motor moves the boat up to over 3k, cavitation is no longer a problem. Should there be any question, this motor is definitely NOT a short shaft model and the motor mount lowers the motor to the right level in the water.

Mike Roetter
'83 C25 #3568 SK/SR
Marblehead on Lake Erie

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 06:36:56

Mike,

Unfortunately, no extra long shaft offering was ever made for that model which by the way has been re-introduced by Honda and now known as the Honda 8 Classic and still available as reg or long shaft. It is a very good motor, more fuel efficient than its successor 8 and of course much lighter. It didn't suffer the reverse torque issues of other motors which exhausted thru the prop. And, though it is not considered a high thrust motor, its gear ratio and prop are excellent for sailboats.

I called Honda Marine in Atlanta and shared with them that a conversion kit to XLS sure would be nice... and the very nice and knowledgeable lady I talked to said, "none is in the works"... but I'll pass on your sentiments.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
<img src="http://www.stewartfam.net/arlyn/rr.jpg" border=0>
N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]

Edited by - arlyn stewart on 09/03/2003 12:30:31

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 11:53:42

Here is another slant on the Honda 8. If you can find a realy good outboard shop they might be able to help. Although the XLS was not offered from Honda it doesn't mean it cant be done. Some times the outboard shops will scrap out an engine or part it out. The parts may and its a big may fit on your model. This was possable on the older Hondas. Only a very good outboard shop will know. Since the 8 HP and its larger brother are almost the same engine you might get lucky.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 15:02:01

occasional cavitation is not a problem and if it never does it over 3 knots I'd say you don't have much of an issue to worry about.

My Honda 8 has a 25 inch shaft and cavitates on chop if I am forward of the cockpit. As long as I am sitting in the stern (250 lbs) it never cavitates. My motor mount has two lower settings - I save the lowest one for when I am going to the mast in choppy conditions.

You could always try a little ballast in the lazerette assuming you're not a heavy as me!

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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mroettersr
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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 09/03/2003 : 23:47:35

I do move my weight back to try to get the motor down further in the water, but at 150#, I'm not sure how much good that does. I would assume that if Honda makes an extension kit for the standard lenght 8, that it could be added to the long shaft model to make and xls. Nomally, the extension kits have splines on the drive shaft that extends the depth of the motor along with the housing, cooling tubes, shift rods, etc. At least that was the way it was on my old Evinrude 15. Factory long shafts have single piece shafts, tubes, rods, etc. As Jim suggests, perhaps I don't have much of a problem. It is disconcerting though to hear the motor rev and then clunk as the prop takes a bite.

Mike Roetter
'83 C25 #3568 SK/SR
Marblehead on Lake Erie

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2003 : 12:35:37

We've gone around the block quite a few times in recent years... Honda never did offer an XLS or an XL kit for the pre-2001 8. 2001 and later 8s are the same engine as the 9.9, both available with XLS and Power Thrust. The pre-2001 8 is quite different from the 9.9.

My problem with the older 8 was that it would suck air if I went forward with the engine idling at rest, as well as cavitate in chop. Adding weight astern will cause the transom to drag, generating a wake that creates drag--under power or under sail. If you want to stay with your Honda 8, I'd suggest looking into lowering the bracket on the transom. I sold my 1996 8 for $1100 and bought the new XLS electric start Power Thrust 8 for about twice that--a tremendous enhancement to the boat. (We daysail and cruise--don't race.) But that sucker is heavy... <img src=icon_smile_dead.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2003 : 13:49:52

=

Edited by - jimb517 on 09/05/2003 00:30:04

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mroettersr
Navigator

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USA
148 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2003 : 00:21:18

I considered lowering the motor bracket but find the motor head is very close to the water when steaming along. If I lower the mount, I may have to change the tilt on the motor to bring the transom up a little while moving faster in the water. Otherwise, I may need a snorkle on the motor's air intake.

Mike Roetter
'83 C25 #3568 SK/SR
Marblehead on Lake Erie

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.