Carstens Canvasback motor size question?

[Richie Lepera]

Last year I had purchased a canvasback and only had it for a week left of season. Most of the lakes here (which are ponds compared to some of your guys lakes) are electric motor only. So no problem i have a trolling motor. But my 7.5 evenrude is set for a proper burial after finding carbon and aluminum deposits in the upper cylinder. A friend of mine has a 2.5 hp 4stroke yamaha that is brand new. I'm not so much concerned on flat water(non-tidal or river current). How well will this handle tidal change and flow with that size motor on. I understand that i will not be seting any speed records but should I hold off and get something a bit bigger. Possibly a 5 or 6 hp. I plan on taking this to chincoteague VA and to marshes of NJ.

 

[Lee Harker]

I'd go with more HP than the 2.5 for a main motor. What year is your 7.5? Pop the head off and see if the piston is damaged....carbon can be cleaned out by running a gallon of pre mix with a can of Sea Foam for 15-20 minutes..let set for a half hour and then take it and run it wide open till it quits smoking.

 

[Richie Lepera]

It's an 89 and the marina that i took it to said it needs to be tore down and bore out with new piston. It would cost more than what it is worth to fix. Thats the main problem. I didnt even get to take off the lower unit and see why all the oil leaked out of it and to fix the exhaust leak. Its seen better days. I am gonna hang on to it to see if i can slowly fix it. I have a friend that can machine it for me for nothing but like I said, its the rest that worries me. So you think i should wait to get a bigger motor? I just dont have the extra money to get a 5 or 6 hp motor at this time. I cant beat the price he wants for the 2.5 I am gonna go and try it on the Susquehanna where he lives and see how it fairs. I am hoping I will be pleasantly surprised but not keeping my hopes to high.