I had the same problem on my R22 with the 9.9 HP Yamaha.  But the worst problem of all was that to use Stan’s linkage system where the motor turns with the sailboat tiller, once the short Yamaha cables (that connect the motor to a Yamaha throttle/gearshift control mounted on the sailboat tiller) rusted away, Yamaha did not have any replacement, even when I contacted Japan.

David Keyes
S/V Arrowhead—just sold to Chris Geankoplis without the engine.

> On Jul 7, 2025, at 5:58 AM, Ric Stott <ric at stottarchitecture.com> wrote:
> 
> I have Honda 8HP and it has all the powers I need.   It also puts out a lot of charging power, more than most. What  I don’t like is the size of the cowling and the weight.  I also don’t like the throttle sensitivity at slow speeds. It’s hard to adjust to the desired RPM. 
> RIC
> DADVENTURE. 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jul 5, 2025, at 1:31 PM, bobfcohen at gmail.com wrote:
>> 
>> I also have an 8 hp  electric start Mercury, and find it very adequate.  I agree with Michael McKay about the importance of being able to shift between forward and reverse using the throttle.
>> 
>> Bob Cohen
>> S/V Silver Bay
>> Onekama, MI
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of Michael McKay
>> Sent: Saturday, July 5, 2025 10:49 AM
>> To: THOMAS POLISE <tvpolise at aol.com>; The Rhodes 22 Email List <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Motor size
>> 
>> I have an 8 hp electric start Mercury that works great with my Rhodes-it has plenty of power.
>> 
>> One feature that is particularly useful on the Merc is the throttle is used to shift: twist counterclockwise for forward, clockwise for reverse and neutral is in between.
>> 
>> The paddle shifter found on many outboards would be very awkward to use on a Rhodes. I would check the Yamaha for that detail.
>> 
>> 
>> Michael McKay (mm.bizlist1 at gmail.com)
>> S/V Liber 2006/2018
>> Woodstock, GA
>> 
>> 
>>> On Sat, Jul 5, 2025 at 10:22 AM THOMAS POLISE via Rhodes22-list < rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> I presently have a 9.9 HP motor that is in need of replacement, and
>>> was considering the 8 hp Yamaha.  Has anyone gone to 8, and if so is
>>> that enough hp against wind and also in assisting in getting off when
>>> running aground?
>>> Thanks
>>> 
>>