Thinking about upgrading to a 300 Suzi......

[Briguy]

Now that the new 300 Suzuki 4 stroke is out I am pondering upgrading my twin 115's. Don't get me wrong, I really like the way the 115's push the boat. I get a 23-24kt cruise and about 38 kt top. They start and run like the day I got them(2002 i think). Each of them weigh 416 lbs without a prop for a total of 832#. The 30" shaft 300 weighs 614 which saves me 214 lbs off the transom. This website has them in stock for 17k. http://www.edsmarinesuperstore.com/suzuki_outboards.htm

At my cruise of 24 kts I burn about 10.5 gph for a net mpg of 2.7 mpg. On the Suzuki website there is a test with a 24 proline weighing in at 3400 lbs. At 4000 rpm's the boat hits 31 mph burning just under 8 gph for an amazing 3.9 mpg! Top speed is just a hair under 50 mph which is 6 mph more than what I do now. The 300 displacement is 4.0 liter's vs a combined 3.9 liter's for my 115's. I plan on keeping my boat for at least 3-5 years. Here is a link to the proline boat test. http://www.suzukimarine.com/boatbuil...24ss_df300.php


Here are the reason's to upgrade:
1) Faster cruise and top end
2) Better MPG
3) 214 lbs. less hanging off the transom. (dryer feet!)
4) Probably get good trade in or sell my 115's on ebay.
5) Gimmie 6 warranty
6) Half the maintanance
7) Cool new guages/shifter

Reasons not to upgrade:

1) $17,000 reasons+tax+controlls+installation.
2) Piece of mind 30+miles off shore. This is rare.
3) Draft more with a single vs twins.
4) Boat runs great as it is.

Questions for the experts here. I currently run a closed transom with bracket and 25" shafts on the twins. I am going to assume I need a 30" shaft with a single, right?

How do I fill in the old motor mount holes?

How much could I expect to get for my twin 115's?

Properly set up, could I break 50 mph?

[eggsuckindog]

It will all be good except paying for it, the boat will seem new as it will handle so much better, I did a twin to single switch. Less weight and it will be tons faster and you will use tons less gas.

[ocuyler]

Bri,

I'd like a 300 as much as anyone, but, like yourself, have a perfectly good running motor.

If you put $17,000 in after tax dollars in a Roth over the next 3 years, the proceeds will accumulate tax free and you will easily pay for college for your kid.

If you have the college thing handled, by all means - zoom, zoom...

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Four Boat Theory

What has happened to your “4 boat theory”??? What is all this economical prudence coming out of your typewriter?? Boy O Boy what has happened to you??? You use to be my idle of one committed to serious goofing off. Now I here investments??? You have really let me down I am crushed by your logic. You need to stop what you are doing and go out and buy something that has no real purpose for no particular reason just because You wanted it.

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins

[ocuyler]

Ken,

Do as I say, not as I do. If I want to blow 20 grand on a new motor, then that's MY OCD. But out of respect for others, I try to give sound financial advice. Like anyone listens anyway...

Having sold the Mosley 19', I still have the Seafari, 20CC & 23CC. In addition, there's the Triumph 195, pontoon boat, an inflatable, canoe (with Yamaha 2.5 four stroke) and kayak. That's more than 4...

The latest finished project is a 1989 Scat 12' Hovercraft with a Bombardier 503, rebuilt this winter. If that's not a random boat acquisition, nothing is. While we're waiting for the weather to warm up, I'm rebuilding a 1965 Chevy C-10 pick-up with 40,000 original miles and absolutely no rust. That will look cool towing one of the old Potter 20's.

Sorry we hijacked the thread. But seriously - buy the 300. If I could, I would.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Briguy;

I love it when some one thinks like me. Not that I have made a switch like you are thinking of but BECAUSE you really have thought it out First before you act.
As for your questions yes 30” shaft as for the bracket what is it made of aluminum or fiberglass?? Personally I like the idea of 2 motors for security “If” you are going 30 to 60 plus miles out in the ocean every time you go fishing but I usually will go 30 miles each trip but not usually over 10 to 20 miles out to ocean I go up and down the coast. Thus SeaTow is my second motor and I have never used them.
Again I am putting my personal spin on this one not to offend anyone but a 23’ boat really is just a 23’ boat and really only needs one engine if you want 2 motors they skip the 24-26 footers and go up to a 27-31 footer

FellowShip

_______________________________________________

My motto: Just for the Grins

[strick]

You should easily reach 50mph. I can hit 40 knots (46mph) with my 250 zuke. I'm not one for speed so I usually putt around at cruising speed 28-30knots happy as a lark. That motor is really sweet.

As far as price goes you have to figure in what you can get for the 115's and deduct that from the 17K I really don't know what they are worth (new 8K) but they are a very desirable motor and you will not have any trouble selling them at a fair price. You will spend at least another 1500 in rigging or you can keep the current rigging you have if the 300 will match to that. I know they have the fly by wire now for the 300 and that would be nice to have.

You will need the 30 inch shaft if you have a twin flotation bracket.

Filling the holes will be easy. Just grind a bevel in the glass around the holes about an inch or two wider then the holes. Get a wooden dowel that will fit into the holes. Cut it slightly smaller then the length of the holes, coat it with epoxy/cabosil and insert it into the hole. Cut some round pieces of matt and fill in the area till it is close to level with the outside of the bracket then fair over the matt, prime and paint.

If you wait till August you can get a deal on the last years motors. I paid 12995 for my zuke. The dealers around here wanted 17K for one.....which is probably why I still dont see any.

http://www.bayracermarine.com/

strick

[JW-Tex]

I bought my 140 Zuke from Bayracer marine, I will buy from them again if I go new. I have been thinking that there will be a lot of 250 Zukes on the market with 4 and 5 year warranties when people upgrade to twin 300's. I was thinking that a single 250 with a hydraulic jack plate to dial in the motor height might just be the perfect match for my 23 center (no bracket).

When I bought from Eds Marine they would only ship to a local dealer and the shipping was more than what it should have been (50 Yamaha).

JW