I've had the boat out with the new motor several times now so I'm just past the 10 hour break in period. So Far I LOVE THIS NEW MOTOR. Everything that has been said about it is true. I only have a tach right now. The Navman is still on back order but hopfully I'll get it mounted soon so I can give some fuel burn numbers. Heres what can tell so far: 16x18.5 ss prop with 3 big guys jumps on plane in about 2 seconds. Cruises 28 knotts at 4300 rpm; 36 knotts at 5900rpm. The other day I hit 38 knotts at 6000rpm and bumped the rev limit indicator. Motor went into safe mode. That was with two adults and two children on board. I'm postitve I can hit 40 knotts if I stay at high speed longer then 30 seconds and play with the trim/tilt. Forgive me but Speed has never been my thing. This motor has more then enough power for the 23 hull. You cannot hear it running at idle, and at cruising speed you can talk to each other without yelling like the old 2 stroke. No smoke what so ever. The boat sits about the same in the water as it did with my old motor (weight difference: 522 for the yamaha 250 vs 580 suzki 4 stroke) It takes a little while to get used to the new sounds that the boat makes with this motor. So far I cant say enough good things about it. The only negative thing I've experienced so far is that the boat wants to porpoise slightly once in a while but that is easiy trimmed out. It's mounted on the 2nd hole. I'll post a full range of numbers when I get the navman installed. Here are afew pic's from the other day. My son was starting to get pissed because his sister had caught two fish and he had not caught any..... then bingo!
driving the boat around:
sitting in the yard:
strick