Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

It's been a long time since I have posted on here. I have a fully restored 1975 23' that had twin 200 Mercury EFIs. I have sold those motors as they needed some work and have an opportunity to get 2 4-stroke yamaha 115s for a good price. The weight on the engines is the same as the 200s but I know the top end speed would be way down (Although fuel efficiency would be much improved). I have researched and am guessing low 40s mph wot (Down from 60+). I am concerned with resale value as I am looking to sell the boat. The other options are selling motor-less or reconfiguring the bracket and putting a 30" F250 yamaha, which would cost me more. Any thoughts are appreciated....

Thanks,

CMBarnes

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

My personal opinion is that the boat would be more desirable with the single 250. I would think it would cost less than 2 115's and can you use the same bracket? But, trying to sell a boat in this market I doubt that you would recoup the expense of re-rigging so you may be better off selling the hull and trailer.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

Hi Chris, it has been awhile (4 years) :(

You cannot plane the 23' on one 115hp motor should you loose one. I think twin 115hp are to small and not enough torque to get the performance you would want out of that hull.

PS: Remember you will have to go with a 30" single motor on a twin bracket.

Hope all is well

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

Thanks for the replies. Capt. Chuck, it is good to hear from you. It has been too long. I have been good but have not been using the boat like she deserves. I went back to school and got a degree in yacht design up in Maine and went to work for Scout Boats as a product/design engineer. I am now with another company but still working with boats. The seacraft bug has grown into a career path.

The deal on the 115s is a good one and they will be cheaper than a single engine. The bracket is ready for them as is and the steering and power is already run. My boat wouldn't plane off with one 200 so that isn't a huge issue to me (not propped for that). You would still be able to make it home with a single 115. I can do some of the rigging myself and have a buddy from Scout to help out as well. I can also get good pricing on the yamaha binnacle, props, throttle cable, gauges, ect...

I am having trouble finding a single 30" F250 and yamaha is what sells around here. Also, I would have to have some welding done on the bracket and fill holes in the dash for gauges. Do you guys think I would be better off just listing the hull and trailer or re-powering with these F115s??

Thanks Again!!

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

Are you near Charleston?

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

I am in Charleston. Any thoughts on my situation??

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

I dont think thats enough HP and I dont think you would be happy with it. I'm in Chas also. My '73 23' has alum bracket and 250 OX66 Yam. Somedays I wish it were two :)

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

im thinking it would be nice to have twins, looking at v-6 merc 135's but im not willing to drop 3500 for a new bracket. its nice offshore with twins, but you never know what can happen. how is scout doing lately? nice gauge for local economy. went out sunday in a 27 rabco and couldn't plane out with one 225 efi. lost the lower unit in the other, so having the right spare prop makes a huge difference.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

Having the right spare propeller in an emergency is important.

The Town of Palm Beach used to have a 23' SF as a patrol boat, rigged with twin RH rotation Evinrude 235's. It would not plane on a single engine with the normal 27"P props. But we put a single 17"P stainless prop on board as a spare. More than once, it came home using the spare prop on a single running or intact engine, and it came in on plane with the other motor tilted up. When those motors were replaced with CR 150 hp 'Rudes, I was told they could still get on plane with a single engine, trim tabs, and a low pitch prop.

A 23' will NOT plane, however, with a single offset 115 hp motor.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

I beg to argue Chuck. My 1978 CC with a bracket will plane with a single 115 and that's swinging a 24" ss Suzi prop. You need tabs down, 1 motor tilted slightly and at 4400 rpm's she'll make 14 1/2 knots.

The 115's will make 25.5kts at 4000 rpm's and 39kts at 5950 rpm's. with 3/4 fuel and 2 people. If you have 6 people and lots of ice I see 25kts at 4300 rpms and fast cruise of 32kts at 5k rpm's.......and that's on 9 year old Suzi's!!!!!!!!! :eek:

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

Zukes run a lower gear ratio in the LU, not sure but might make a difference. 2 115's is only 230 at best as they are 4 S Yami's, I don't think its enough either.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

If your main concern is resale than the single 250 would be the best. It all depends on how much you pay for the 250 and will it make up for the perceived lower value of a boat with twin 115's.

The benefits of the single 250 are lower maintenance cost and of course about 250 pounds less hanging off the rear end. The speed will maybe be 1-2mph across the board better with the single.

If I had to repower it would be hard not to buy the Suzuki 300.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

In your area it is not unusual to go 70 miles off fishing. If many of your trips are that far, then the twins with one that will plane is the way to go. AND when fuel goes back to $5.00 plus on the water, more twin 115's will be had. Briguy's 115s are propped right and does 46 mph on GPS. Single 250 or 300 will be the best choice for resale and ride because most people aren't consistently taking a 23 off that far.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

I've got more range than guts, that's for sure!

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

I know the Zuk runs a lower gear ratio, i know of someone with a 23' with twin 115HP suzuki than can plane with one engine too.

if price is good i will go with 2 x 115HP. i have twin 135HP mercury optimax and i could not use all the power. Haven't tried to plance with one engine yet.

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

mine comes closer to plaining with one 150 than it did
with one of the 250's same props I tried it the first time
I ran it without the hydrofoils on the 150s might plain with the hydrofoils on now

Re: Twin Yamaha F115s on a bracketted 23'?
 

doodlebug

do you have trim tabs?