23 CC Power Opinions

goodpen · #1 08-13-2006, 08:46 PM

I read back quite a few threads about this but since outboard technology has had a few changes lately, I wanted to seek opinions on the this board for motor options for the '72 23 CC I am restoring. I have an oppurtunity to purchase a pair of 2005 Honda 150's that I am familiar with. My plan is to raise the transom 5 inches to accomodate the 25" motors and give myself some extra freeboard for 970lbs of motors. The rear live well will be removed and I plan to alter the bulkhead in front of the motors. The bulkhead will be moved towards the rear and lowered. I am also thinking of installing a removable wall that will be flush with the top of the iceboxes.

The boat will be used to go to the stream which in NE FL is 60 miles out and I want to go to the Dry Tortugas in the keys which is the reason for my preference for twins. Any thoughts of this combination?

RUSTYNTABATHA · #2 08-13-2006, 09:08 PM

YOU NOW THE SAYING ABOUT OPINIONS!!!!! SO HAVEING SAID THAT I HAVE A 23 SCEPTRE IM REPOWERING WITH 135 OPTIS. THE REASON FOR BUYING THE OPTIS AFTER EXTENSIVE OPINIONATING AND DELIBERATING WAS SIMPLE ....... BOTTOM LINE $$$$$ IF YOU CAN GET YOUR HONDAS FOR A REASONABLE PRICE BUY THEM !! ALMOST ALL NEW MOTORS 2 STROKE DFI & 4 STROKE GET EXC. FUEL ECONOMY. EVERY MOTOR BRAND HAS LOYAL FOLLOWERS AND ALL HAVE HATERS SO REVERT BACK TO BOTTOM LINE !!! AS FOR THE TRANSOM IM GOING W/ A FULL ENCLOSURE AND A BRACKET THIS PUTS THE MOTORS FATHER BACK TO HELP WITH THE RIDE IT GIVES THE 23 A 26 LENGTH ACORDING TO MOST NEW BOATS. WHAT EVER YOU DO SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY UP FRONT AND BUILD WHAT YOU WANT NOT WHAT SOMEBODY TELLS YOU YOU WANT....... NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO TO YOUR BOAT NOTHING ELESE ON THE WATER WILL EVER RIDE BETTER THAN YOUR BOAT. ( THERES THAT OPINION THING AGAIN ! )

GOOD LUCK

strick · #3 08-14-2006, 02:03 AM

Thats a lot of weight however the 23 is very capable of handling twins. I'm not following you on the bulk head thing. I dont remember a bulk head in front of the motors on my boat but it has been a while since I tore it apart. You seem to have the right idea on beefing up your transom. That is going to be your main concern with that much weight. You will want to make sure that it is as strong as possible. So if the boat needs a new transom then now is the time. I really like the seamark bracket. They make one for twin's. It's a little pricy but you get what you pay for. They also sell a transom enclosing kit. Potter designed these brackets and kit. Don Hermco is a member of this board and sells them. I've heard that Hondas are reliable. The 225 is supposed to be a dog on the 23. Not sure what you are paying for the Hondas but if you can get a simular price on either the suzuki 115 or the suzuki 140's then I'd go with a pair those. I think they are lighter then the Hondas.

strick

bbh57 · #4 08-14-2006, 10:04 PM

Strick didint I see a pic of a 250 Suzzi being bolted to your 23. I was waiting to see a update on the motor.

RUSTYNTABATHA · #5 08-14-2006, 10:45 PM

OK GUYS 2 STROKE 4 STROKE MAKES NO DIF I HAVE 2S MY UNCLE HAS 4S 3 TO BE EXACT 275 HP VERADOS ON A 35 YELLOWFIN. THE MOTORS PERFORM GREAT THEY REQUIRE MAINT. EVERY 100 HRS IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALER ABOUT 175 - 250 PER MOTOR IF THEY COME TO YOU AS THEY DO ON HIS BOAT 500 PER MOTOR HIS 250DF SUZZY ON THE SHEARWATER IS THE SAME. ALL THE MOTORS ARE VERY EFF. THE MERCS WEIGH AS MUCH AS A SMALL ELEPHANT BUT THE SUZZY IS VERY RESPECTFUL IN COMPARISON. THE ULTIMATE QUESTION IS THE SETTUP,THE HP,THE WAY YOU RUN THE BOAT, AND THE PROP SIZE. THE 2S AND 4S HAVE DIFFERANT CARACTERISTICS AND THE OPTIMUM EFF. MIGHT BE @ DIFF RPMS. THE VERADOS ON THE YELLOWFIN RUN JUST AROUND 70 @ WOT AND WE MADE 3 TRIPS OFFSHORE GROUPER FISHING ON 120 GALLONS OF FUEL THATS 3 275 HP MOTORS THE DECK FEELS LIKE IT IS GOING TO CAVE IN FROM THE MOTORS SUCKING ON THE FUEL TANK @ WOT BUT BACK IT DOWN TO A REASONABLE CRUISE @40-50 AND SHE PURS ALONG WITHOUT TRYING TO PULL EVERYTHING THROUGH THE FUEL HOSE.
WHAT EVER YOU DO YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR THE LOVE OF YOUR SHIP
GOOD LUCK

strick · #6 08-15-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Strick didint I see a pic of a 250 Suzzi being bolted to your 23. I was waiting to see a update on the motor.

stay tuned.

strick

RUSTYNTABATHA · #7 08-15-2006, 07:35 PM

HEY STRICK ITS NICE TO HERE NOTHING BUT THE WATER COMEING OF THE HULL AND THE WIND IN YOUR EARS EAY.

goodpen · #8 08-15-2006, 09:43 PM

I really appreciate the forthright manner of your opinions. I am familar with having a "heavy" motor on the transom as I have '99 130 Honda on the back of '73 18' Forcast DC. The motor is set back and raised on a fixed jack plate for running the shallow water in Florida Bay. The boat sits a litte lower in the back but it is not as bad as I thought it would be. The splashwell keeps the water out of the cockpit during heavy backups. Also this is an inshore boat and does not have the hull for any seas over 1 foot.

As I mentioned earlier I am not totally sold on having that much weight on the transom on the Seacraft but the security of offshore running is desired. As much as I would like to enclose the transom and put on a bracket, it does not look like it is in the cards at this time.

Anyone know of 300hp Yamaha on the back of a 23 CC Seacraft?

TwoWisemen · #9 08-14-2006, 12:20 PM

Be careful with the open transom. My boat had twin Yam 150's and an additional 5" on the transom. Wasn't enough. I just spent a year rebuilding my '76 23 cc after it sunk because of the extra weight and the open transom. I glassed in the transom, added a bracket, and went to a single 250. The boat is faster, better fuel economy, and drafts 7" less at the stern. I have a lot of personal experience with the situation you are about to be in, be careful with the open transom!!!

oldbluesplayer · #10 08-14-2006, 02:49 PM

Man, that picture HURTS !!!

Back to the original topic, even though I have a 20' not a 23, I'd be concerned over the weight of the Honda's, even with a 25" transom.

I hear your intended use, which definitely calls for twins, so I'd voice the opinion of twin 135 Optis or Etecs, try to hold the weight down - or full bracket and fill the transom, and avoid the issue altogether.

just my .02.

Bill