Power on an 18'
 

I see most of the conversation on powering an 18 is based on weight. Looking at Yamaha the weight is all the same from 150-200 about 460lbs. Does anyone know the ideal weight while not taking water over the transom often or using a sea anchor

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Striper

#1 1978 spec's for 18sf... max hp 150

#2 this boat yard sold a 18sf in 1987
w/motor hp. 90 mer.

#3 my friend has a 20sf and has a 150
on it. he can't keep it in the water
when under way, its that fast. now i
maybe wrong but i think a 115 or 130
would be more than enough hp for a
18sf. why try an kill yourself and
beat the crap out of a good boat.

my 2 cents.......steve

Re: Power on an 18'
 

I just picked up a 1975 18 foot Superfisherman without a motor...really clean, looks like it's never had bottom paint, no soft spots, etc. I want to go four stroke for a bunch of reasons, but the Yamaha 115 seems a little light power wise, and the Honda 130 is way heavy (500 lbs)and expensive.

I'm struggling with the idea of going with the Suzuki 140 at the moment...140hp, 410 lbs., great technology, good price, I have a dealer 2 miles away, nice guys, but...

The dealer network seems thin, reputation is pretty blah, and resale doesn't sound so hot. On the other hand, Suzuki has been gradually perfecting four stroke technology, starting small and working up in size over the past few years.

I'm thinking of rolling the dice, adding a couple of years extended warranty to the 3 year standard, and hoping the guys down the street are as reliable as they seem (and stay in business).

Any comments y'all? BTW, I'm new to the site...it's too hard to find! I think it came up about 50th in a Google search for "SeaCraft boats." But it's got some great stuff, keep up the good work!

Brian

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Bmaj-Get a reputable rebuilt 2 cycle 150 for way less and then wait until all other manufacturers built 4 cycles in that HP range. My 130 yamaha does 38mph on my 18. -My .02.
Steve-Right on with comments to Striper. My fathers 1987 18 SF with a Johnson 150 halls a$$.

Re: Power on an 18'
 

I am fortunate to have a very good friend who owns a Scout boats and Suzuki OB dealership. He is the only person I entrust with my other boat, even though it is powered with Yamahas.

He and I ran a 20ft Scout CC with the new suzy 140 4 stroke and I am still in awe. That Scout weighs in at over 2000lbs and that engine did not hesitate at all. Very powerfull and sooooo quiet.

There is no doubt in my mind I will be putting a DF140 Suzuki on the back of my 20 once/when I ever finish it [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

I am by no means telling you to go buy one, but if you have a reputable dealer in the area and are confident in the engine I would seriously consider the DF140.

If not, I agree with Snookered and a reputable 2 stroke is also a viable option. From what I have seen the DF140 can many times be less than a 150 2 stroke and on a dyno the DF140 was putting out 165HP, do not hold me to that.

Re: Power on an 18'
 

I know some of you guys will think I'm nuts, but I went with the Suzuki DF140. Rather than debate the wisdom of my decision, or the merits of 2 strokes vs 4 strokes, how about if I just report back how it works out?

So far so good, with less than 5 hours on it, I'll keep you posted...

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Bmaj-
Congrats on the purchase! After this discussion, I went thru the Hull Truth topics and found good details on your new motor. Great reviews on weight, power, ect. With the $300 incentive, additional warranty, and price what's not to like? What was your cost? I can't wait to hear how it does for you. I'm looking at a repower down the road on my 18.

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Hey Snookered,

Thanks for the good wishes...shopping for a brand new motor was a bittersweet experience! Getting a quote on the motor is one thing, but prying out of the dealers what the "turn key" cost would be took some digging. I also looked at it like I was shopping for a dealer/service support, 'cause if things go sour I wanted to feel comfortable the people care...the closest Yammie dealer gives me the creeps...makes you feel like they're doing you a favor just talking too you!

Quotes on controls, gauge package(s), wiring harnesse, s/s prop, installation goodies and rigging labor varied a lot. Don't forget to figure in the Governor's bite too!

There's an outfit on the 'net (boats.net) that sells Yamahas pretty cheap, if you want to do your own rigging. They're somewhere in Florida...you'd have to add shipping, and I didn't get a definite answer on sales tax... I wondered how thrilled the local dealer would be to provide support on a 'net bought unit?

So, the bottom line? Right at $9,500 (gulp!)ready to go in the water...seems like a lot, huh? Well, less than what I could find on a Yamaha F115, and a lot less ($2,000+) than any Honda 130 quotes I got. you may be able to do a little better where you are...around here four strokes are in great demand, and the dealers are in general a little smug about it.

Last weekend I couldn't pull the revs I should at WOT, so went by my dealer and he "gave me" another s/s prop to try (said he'd put it on if I wanted), and to bring the other back when I get a chance. Film at eleven... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Hey Striper,

I have an 18 as well. Had a 135 on her for a long time. When I repowered I went with the 115 Yami saltwater. I have been in a discussion about this before but am not sure if it was on this board or Hull Truth....

Nonetheless, I went down in hp mainly due to fuel economy. The boat was in Ft. Pierce, FL and we used to make the trip to Walker's quite a bit. 102 miles dock to dock. The 115 is excellent on fuel and although there is an obvious power difference, it is not as much as you would think. For me, it was either put an additional fuel tank in the boat or buy a motor that was better with the fuel. I don't know if you have checked lately but gasoline at Walker's is about $4.50 per gallon!!!!

Good luck!

TB

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Suzuki DF 140 on an 18 footer update: Just over ten hours, and still fooling around with props. Have a 14x18 on it now, and it absolutely jumps out of the hole, but redlines before it gets to WOT... clocked 41.6 mph by GPS Monday evening, with two aboard and 30 gallons of fuel. Waiting for a 14x20 to come in, hopefully before the Holiday weekend. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Bmaj,

Great decision on the Suzuki 140 4 stroke. I had a 225 johnson on my 23' CC and swapped it for 2 Yam 130 2 strokes(used) I liked them alot but recently repowered with dual 115hp Suzuki 4 strokes. THEY DON'T BURN FUEL! I get a much better hole shot then the 225, better fuel economy than I could imagine. Nearly 3mpg (for real) when cruising between 21 and 30 kts. and my top end is about 44mph. These motors are quiet and I've racked up almost 200 hours in only 9 months! No problems at all. Good luck. For all you other guy's thinking of repowerering. I would take twin 115 or 140 Suzuki 4 strokes over a single Honda or Yamaha 225hp 4 stroke FOR THE SAME PRICE OUT THE DOOR ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. IT'S A NO BRAINER.

Re: Power on an 18'
 

BMAJ, By the way. I currently run 14x23" ALUMINUM props. My buddy has a 17' whaler with a 70 hp Evinrude(Suzuki 4 Stroke) and he tried many different ss props and was never happy. I lent him a 14x17" Suzuki aluminum prop and it was perfect. My advice, Try a 14x20 or 14x21 ALUMINUM prop. Remember this gearcase and powerhead is geared way low so running a 21" prop is not out of the question. You might be suprised. Save $$$$$, save weight and the dealer probably has quite a few aluminum's laying around. Prop it for about 5850rpm's trimmed up,wide open and howling. Let me know after the weekend.

Re: Power on an 18'
 

Capt. Brian

I'm envious of you.....I saw one of those motors... well the 140 running the other day....WOW very nice... [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Do you have any pictures of the boat with the new engines??? .... after all is said and done ultimately I would like to put two motors back there .... especially if I want to go a little further offshore....really like to have another motor to do that...