new member intro and question

[sonofbob]

Good morning to all. I am writing for two, as I am the son helping the technically-challenged father get some help in a really fantastic ongoing rebuild. The vessel (and father) in question are both located outside New Haven CT. I'm off in the Rockies.

The story is this: father recently aquired a 21' (1975?) hull (for a song!), found water in the transom, and replaced the transom and decks, and refurbished the entire hull/hardware. It has gone from backyard leaf collector to cherry! Along the way, the old 130 Yami bit the big one (or was diagnosed as going to bite it soon enough), so he parted it out. All of this was made possible by a new mechanic, marina genius son-in-law who still feels the need to earn family credit, so work was done for cost only. Nice.

But his question for the internets is one of repowering. It seems the 150 Yami 4 stroke is too heavy and the new transom too low. So he has been direct toward the E-Tec. Or a Suzuki. Can anyone out there either direct us toward a comparative discussion of these two or speak one way or the other about them? The E-TEC salesguy really likes his product, that's for sure.

Thanks all. If I can get the old man to take some digital pics, I'l upload the progress photos if anyone is interested.

[Bushwacker]

Welcome to CSC! You'll find a wealth of information here!

I went thru the same thought process when I repowered back in '06 and came to same conclusion, i.e., minimizing motor weight is very important on these hulls because of effect on cg. It's especially important if you go to a bracket. The relatively narrow beam is one reason they ride so well, but they weren't designed for the heavy 4-stroke motors, with a wide beam to carry the extra weight on the transom. If you hang a 500 lb 4-stroke on it, it won't ride nearly as well as designed and it'll significantly raise min planing speed, which is a big deal if you run offshore in snotty conditions. If you'll PM me with an e-mail address, I can send you a big spreadsheet I put together comparing all the candidate motors. Denny

[Fr. Frank]

Listen to Denny. He's already done all the footwork and figuring. Use his data and make up your own mind. I'd personally lean toward the Etec 130/150, but everyone has an opinion.

[McGillicuddy]

Can you post a picture of this boat? I don't think a 21 was made in '75.

The production year of a 21 would make a BIG difference in motor re-power recommendations as the pre and post 70's SeaCrafts 21s were very different boats.

Based on previous power I would guess it was if indeed a '75, its a 20' model. If a 20, I think the Etec 115 or 130 would be a great match, or even the Optimaxes in that hp range. I think the Suzuki 140 gives the best power to weight 4 stroke solution.

If he doesn't need to exceed 35mph, he might even consider an Etec 90 which is lighter an old 130 Yammie.

If its a later 21' the 150 h.p. might be the way as I think the 21 had an 8 ft beam and could float the extra weight better.

I think the fellow who suggested Etec was right on. Direct inject 2 strokes are a new breed of engine. Quiet, clean, gas misers, typically lighter than 4s and powerful!

[sonofbob]

hmmm....McGillicuddy I will do my best to see if I cannot get a few pictures together for the forum. To be honest, I am not altogether sure that any exist! Certainly, when I am back East i will get a few pics of the hull, along with the year/model/serial.

But, in short, you are correct: it is indeed a 20'. And to this end, Denny has graciously provided more info than I think my father could have hoped for. Right now, I think he's in favor of the ETEC. Clearly he has come to the right place. The workmanship here is unbelievable!

Thanks for the insight and thinking. It's appreciated.

[gofastsandman]

Listen to Denny. He's already done all the footwork and figuring. Use his data and make up your own mind. I'd personally lean toward the Etec 130/150, but everyone has an opinion.

Welcome to the ward.

Father, have you left the dark side?

Cheers,
GFS

[Fr. Frank]

Father, have you left the dark side?
Cheers,
GFS

No, Sandy. I'm still a big Merc fan. But right now they're running a bit on the overweight side compared to the Etecs, and no matter how partisan I might be, I'm also honest, and the performance difference is truly negligible, and Evinrude has gotten a lot more reliable than they used to be.

All that said, If I'm going to repower my Seafari with any motor, and price is not a factor, my choice is gonna be a Hermco bracket and a Mercury Verado 200 4 cylinder.

I have a parishioner bought a 2010 Scout 21' with a T-top and a 200hp 4 cyl. Verado. He's got the Smartcraft setup and is getting 4.7 mpg at 4000 rpms, and 5.0 mpg at 3850 rpms, and averaging about 4.1 mpg overall.
His last boat was an '07 21' Sailfish cc with a T-top, and a Yamaha 150 4s, and he was getting 3.3 to 3.5 mpg.

The Verado is an outstanding motor. But I can't hang 510 lbs off the back of my 20" transom with only a 7 1/2' beam.

[seacraftks]

welcome to the site This is the best seacraft site on the web

K

[gofastsandman]

No, Sandy. I'm still a big Merc fan. But right now they're running a bit on the overweight side compared to the Etecs, and no matter how partisan I might be, I'm also honest, and the performance difference is truly negligible, and Evinrude has gotten a lot more reliable than they used to be.

All that said, If I'm going to repower my Seafari with any motor, and price is not a factor, my choice is gonna be a Hermco bracket and a Mercury Verado 200 4 cylinder.

I have a parishioner bought a 2010 Scout 21' with a T-top and a 200hp 4 cyl. Verado. He's got the Smartcraft setup and is getting 4.7 mpg at 4000 rpms, and 5.0 mpg at 3850 rpms, and averaging about 4.1 mpg overall.
His last boat was an '07 21' Sailfish cc with a T-top, and a Yamaha 150 4s, and he was getting 3.3 to 3.5 mpg.

The Verado is an outstanding motor. But I can't hang 510 lbs off the back of my 20" transom with only a 7 1/2' beam.

Impressive #`s indeed.

BRP was the best thing that could have happened to OMC. The Ficht ruined a lot of old family companies. Very sad to watch.

Cheers,
GFS

[Fr. Frank]

BRP was the best thing that could have happened to OMC.

I absolutely agree. Amazing what a little thing like quality control will do for a company.