outboard motor size as a backup engine

[kujawski]

Does anyone have any ideas what size of outboard i would need for a 23ft cruiser as a backup engine, it currently has a 3l volvo penta inboard, just incase there is a problem and i need to get the boat back to the marina?

[ditchy49]

hi i have 24ft cabin cruiser 15 to 20 hp will push it no problem

[rdv]

I had a 16' outboard cruiser and found a 4hp auxillary barely adequate. If you're using this in coastal waters I think 10hp would be a minimum

[thundercrack]

hi had a 16ft shetland, tried to run up the ouse at lewes against theebbing tide with a seagull outboard (5 hp) and was going backwards instead of forwards, had to dodge in and out of the bends to miss the flow. bought a 15 horse mariner and she flew along.
alf.

[kujawski]

Thanks for that i'll go for a 15-20 then