Cheap bad idea
 

A 75 Hp 4 stroke Merc, freshwater motor, made in 2000. Cheap. Allegedly 386 pounds. I can't see this being a good idea. Like, I will never get it on plane. Right? Did I mention it was cheap?

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

It WILL get you on plane with the right prop. You'll be limited in your top speed. I rigged more than a few new 20' Seacrafts with 85hp V4 Johnsons, which actually only put out about 70-72 hp at the prop. Cruise at about 22, WOT of about 27-28 mph.

Likewise, I have seen a Seafari rigged with an inline 4 cylinder 85hp Mercury, as well. He had no problems, either.

These boats don't need as much power as everyone seems to want to put on them. They're fine with lots and lots of power, but they work very well with less, too.

I went from a tuned '92 Mercury XR4 2.0L producing about 190 hp at the prop, to my current 375lb 90hp Optimax. I have plenty of power. I can't run 50+ mph any more, but then, I almost never did, anyway.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

I forgot to mention I have a 58 lb kicker on the transom, too. I just posted about maybe putting poly tanks under the console where the "head" is, in order to have better static balance. The batteries are already up there. I wonder if that would be enough power for 3 guys and not lots of fuel, maybe 25 gallons, no head and 40 lb of ice and some fishing gear. Out in Buzzards Bay, it is a rare day that the water is flat.

So you think the answer might be the right prop and cavitation plate fin?

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Also, isn't this a rebadged Yamaha?

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

That motor is a re-badged yamaha 4 stroke.

You still have a 20" transom right?

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Yeah. Hoping to do a bracket next year.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Never happen - sorry

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Find a old freshwater inline 6 Merc 150 or 115 TOwer of power . . . they weigh in at 275lbs. Use the $3,000 - $4,000 you save for fuel. Before anyone says the 4 stroke is a better motor . . . please consider these old inline 6 motors won seacraft (and others) a few trophies including some 500+ miles races like the Bahama500 and the basic design lasted 25+ years in production. Also you can do all the work on it yourself . . . parts are dirt cheap (unlike newer motors)

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...esults0001.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...bum07/43_c.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...1196424160.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...7/DSC01615.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...Outboard_2.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...ft_Triples.jpg


Here's one
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/boa/2328628017.html

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Yeah, what Bigshrimpin said...
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...MissionBay.jpg
http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/i...s/5f4789e2.jpg

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Not really what I am looking for, two stroke fog makes me seasick.
Just found a 100Hp Yamaha four stroke. Going to sell the 175 Yamaha two stroke.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Fish . . . I'm just trying to help you out. Back that boat down a ramp and add the weight on the transom in sandbags till you are at 450 - 475lbs . . . have 2 big guys stand in the stern. Just see if you can live with where the 20" transom is gonna sit . . . I know my 25" transom was barely acceptable on my MA with a 365lb Merc and a 100lb yamaha 8hp kicker, 25lb kicker bracket. I would feel real uncomfortable with 5" less transom with that setup. I have a bad feeling that you'll feel the same way. If you need a hand give me a shout . . . we boat in the same area.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

FWIW, I haven't had it in the water yet. It has a 410 lb 175hp Yamaha 2 stroke on it now. The kicker is 58lb on a light bracket. The F100 is supposedly 356lb or 366 depending where you read I think this is the lighter early USA spec with carbs, but I don't know.

My rationale is that Rich had this out as far as the Vineyard with that 410 lb Yamaha. I think at about the same weight, with batteries in the console and fuel tanks where the head is, that this might work until I bracket it. I want to try it before I bracket it. I already have a flotation bracket for it, although I am going to lighten it before I do that, it is made of 5086 aluminum, but I plant to take weight out where it doesn't need it.

That being said, I don't know how it sits at rest now. I really am not going to put a tower of power on it. Maybe someone can convince me to do an etec, but they don't seem to be lighter than at 90/100hp 4 stroke.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Hey, now my, old 2 stroke don't smoke... ;)
I think you could do fine with the f100 but since you brought it up, the etec 90 is 335 lbs in the 25" shaft version. More balls than the f100 and better economy. But unless its new, you'll probably pay much less for that Yami 4s...

Good luck with your decision but take heed of Bigs words of wisdom. He knows motors and SeaCrafts and Buzzards Bay as well as anybody... I know he'd be bummed if he had to wind'em up on a hot striper bite to save your sinking hide :D

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Yeah, a used 4S Yamaha. Going to look at it tomorrow. I wonder what a running 1988 175 Yamaha is worth with controls and a SS prop. Probably $500...

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

I might have interest in your engine
send me a email with contact info

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Bought an F100 today, so I listed the V6 Yamaha 175 for sale. Looks like they go for a bit under $2000 locally.

The F100 looks to be all powerhead. It needs carb work, but the deal was ok. I guess I will never got my 20' MA to 50 knots...

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Good luck - keep us posted

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Just another piece of advice . . . I'd recommend you see how that 100 works on your boat (and make sure it's just the carbs that need to be rebuilt) before you sell the 175. The 100 is NOT a powerful motor. Also check the shift shaft on the old yamaha 175 . . . they tend to rot out after 20+ years. I have a couple of barge/party boat props 11p and 13p that I think will fit that motor. You are welcome to try them out.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...0031_sized.jpg
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...0283_sized.jpg

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

I will keep that in mind. I definitely won't swap them until it runs right. I was going thru the fuel system today and found lots of water, cleaned it out and it ran better, but not good yet. All I did was drain the float bowls and get fresh gas(ohol) to it. #1 isn't getting much fuel. A little carb cleaner when running and it perks up. Some say the strainer/filter on each carb should be looked at. When it isn't snowing up here I will look at that.

The 175 ran ok on muffs last year, so I guess that's the backup plan.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

i am interested to see how the f100 runs on your 20MA

Ive got a F100 on a 23' seaox. It only goes about 27 WOT at 5500rpms. Cruises around 23 at 4400rpms

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

You have issues with fuel? Or plugged carbs? I will do a teardown next week, but was wondering if you have insight on the F100.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...981_Medium.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...2762.sized.jpg

YZ - 27 is moving real nice for a F100 . . . What prop are you running? I have a buddy with the same boat . . . we've swapped motors a few times 175 merc, 225 Yamaha, now 200hpdi . . . the 175 only pushed it about 33/34mph.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Fish:
The only issue ive had with the F100 is gummed up carbs. If you dont drain the carbs when its winterized you will need to break them down and clean them. I never let gas sit in them for more then a month without being ran. As long as i drain the carbs at the end of the season it will start up first crank in the spring. It has been a great motor and never left me stranded.

The only other issue is i had a voltage regulator go bad on it. Not bad for a 12 year old motor. Besides the voltage regulator only plugs, oil, gear oil, and the occasional water pump.

Bigshrimpin:
The prop on it is a aluminum yamaha prop. Its 17 pitch and i believe the diameter is 13.25"

For only 100hp on a decent size 23' boat in happy with the performance. Even if i run it around 5000rpms ill get close to 5mpg.

The sea ox i have is the 2300 commercial so its probly got a lot less weight then the 23 in your picture. The only weight is a small wooden cabin in the front and lots of waterlogged wood.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/s...icture13-2.png

my uncle also has a seaox 2300 (same year as mine) and he put a small center console on it. With a F150 i would guess his goes upper 30's.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Where I started: (I added a kicker and GPS since this pic)

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_0424.jpg

And the next project:

I bought this from someone's unfinished project. I had to finish the last 30+ feet of TIG weld. Thankfully 5086 welds nicely. Probably going to do some stuff to make it lighter

http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_0525.jpg http://i1119.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_0533.jpg

With a full transom.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

keep us updated

btw is that your trailer license plate on the kicker mount?

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

For the tow home from the previous owner, yeah.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

I cleaned the carbs and it idles fine and runs ok. Needs a sync. Kinda boggy. Might go up a jet size.

Motor has good compression and is timed right and it seems I am close to having it run decently. Right now it bogs coming out of the hole. Yours do that?

I up sized the jets my motorbike and I like the throttle response on that. About 10% worse economy. A little over-fueled when it is hot out.

Oh yeah, that's a 20 foot master angler, not a 23. The pic angle makes it look big.

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Unless i throttle up really slowly it always bogs when going from idle speed to a plane. Kind of annoying but it runs fine at all rpms so i just deal with it.

i knew you had a 20 MA i meant on my 23' seaox i think the F100 preforms pretty well. Im interested in the performance numbers with the F100 on your 20 MA though

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

Well, there are at least 2 published main jet options for this motor (125 and 128), so I might try the bigger one, and will proobably mess with the pilot screws to get better off idle performance. If I find a good recipe, I will let you know. Based on your input and Fr. Frank, I got a prop with modest pitch- I think a 12-3/4 x 17P to start.

multiple

Re: Cheap bad idea
 

looks like a pilot screw adjustment might be in order?

http://www.yamahaoutboardparts.com/f...e-th15984.html