Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

Need a little help guys. I am pretty torn trying to decide which outboard to put on a 23 w/bracket. Leaning towards an etec. I might have the option to get a 300 hpdi, just wondering if the horror stories are as bad as they sound? Also have the option for a 225 03 Yamaha 4 stroke. It seems they had issues as well. Not to mention I am not sure if the power is a great fit. Would love to hear some current feedback on newer engines. I have nothing against older engines, but really looking to purchase something 03 & up. Thanks guys!

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

I have a 225 eTEC on a bracket on my 1998 23cc. I love the motor. I got it new in 2006. I have put near 1000 hours on it without many issues. I have recently had an injector fail but it was fixed on the warranty. Not much negative to say. I run it hard and it doesn't fail. I run about 40MPH with the boat loaded and 150g fuel. Boat has a Ttop and I carry around 15g of freshwater not to mention 2-3 large people, more ice than someone would want and way too many fishing rods....

I could do a little better if I play with the prop, but that is another story.

Also, I would suggest going with the XD100 oil if you run long days and will have a small oil tank. The motor can be set up for various grades of oil. XD100 being the most costly per gallon but burning the least. I can burn near 100g of fuel per gallon of oil. With my small oil tank (I think it is 1.5g) I avoid needing to refill it while fishing.

I am not sure what BRP is offering for incentive but when I bought mine it was a 7 year protection plan. I know they have recently offered a upgraded gauge package with the motor purchase.

If you are looking at a used eTEC you can transfer the warranty so it may be a plus to find one that has the 7 year plan.

Sorry, I got a little long winded here but hopefully this helps some.

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

That motor sounds like it pushes your setup very well, a lttle above what my expectation would be.

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

The eTECs are strong motors. With that, I top out at 33 knots. By my math that puts me at 38 MPH. Trimmed properly this is pretty repeatable. I actually expected to get a little more. My issue is with the time it takes to get on plane, It does not jump up like I may want. It is not horrible but not instant either.

The 225 eTEC is a good strong motor and handles the 23 well. When it comes time to repower I am looking to go with a 250 or 300 but those will not gain much.

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

I would look into a 250 or 300 suzuki (4stroke). If you had the floor raised and the transom strengthened up I would go for the 300. My father had a 300 on his 2000 25' Seacraft and it got awesome gas mileage. Not a speed demon, but efficient. Cruising about 3.0mpg. I bet it would push a 23' in the upper 40s loaded down and get almost 3.5mpg cruising.
I had a 2001 225 2 stroke Yamaha on a 1984 23' I redid and got upper 40s light, even hit 50 when I first put it back together, and mid 40s loaded. Cruising speed was about 2.2mpg That was with a Stainless Marine bracket.
I raised the floor 3" higher than the factory floor and my "plan" was to put a 300 suzuki on it. Boat self bailed awesome with the higher floor.
That being said a used 300 suzuki would be great.
Me personally I would stay away from the 300hpdi. The 150hpdi and 200hpdi were good motors though. I had a 200hpdi and loved it. Buying a used one make sure all updates have been done.
I will probably go with a 200hpdi on my 20'MA I own now.

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

I have a pair of 150 etecs on my 23, flat out I run 38knts after I switched to four blade props , this is a bit slower than the 3 blades I used to have on it
top speed with the 3 blades was 46knts but the engines were only turning 5000 rpm. working too hard
I like the efficiency of the engines they hardly burn any fuel, total last season
was 3-1/2 to 4 gallons per hour, running trolling ect. with no problems
I understand that a single 250 would do the same as I do with the twins
less weight on the back end,

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

With my twin 200 HP OX66's I went to four blades as well. Like one of the other posters my WOT dropped by close to 10 MPH. However, I get a much better ride (more stern lift)

Ppeter

Re: Best Outboard Power for a 76 23'
 

The 300 Yamaha is problematic, they don't blow up but have issues with oil consumption and plugs, I have a friend that has twins. He has helped the plugs by switching oil. But they had an oil pump recall and it still uses alot.
The F225 is a very weak engine, the 250 apparently has a variable valve timing thats much better, the 225 does not, that year Yamaha does have a serious corrision issue with the exhaust plate - very expensive 3K and no help from them. Should be inspected certainly before purchase, well known now on THT.

The 250/300 is a perfect fit, for our boats, max power to weight ration although none are light these days. Just whatever you can find a deal on.