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

TwoWisemen · #4 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 · #5 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

eggsuckindog · #6 08-14-2006, 09:04 PM

I'm not sure it does call for twins, although if in the tortogas it would be nice but still a long road home on 1. In my experience the boat rode and handled much better and completely different with the single, and as mentioned MUCH faster. These new big 2S outboards are very powerful and very good on gas, and weigh alot less and $$$ 1vs2

Plus those regular 100 hr checks with 2 of them could get out of hand real quick.

goodpen · #7 08-14-2006, 09:12 PM

Wow, that picture sez a lot! Where did that happen, there at the dock? What was the cause?

I understand the weight concerns but this particular boat came with twins in 1972 and what was the weight of motors then, about 300 lbs each plus a 30 gallon live in the splashwell which would add about another 300 lbs. plus 4 batteries in front of that. This setup had alot of weight in the rear. I will remove the live well and move it under the leaning post and the batteries will be in the console. The fuel tank location and capacity will stay the same. So all the weight of the Hondas should equal the original set-up plus I have 5 inches more of transom.

Beleive me I am not totally sold on the idea of the twin Hondas and if not for the price of them I would try to go to lower weight 4 strokes like the 140 Suzuki's (4 cylinder models). The other option is what horsepower does this boat need to perform well with a single, 250hp? If 250, will a 4 stroke perform like thea 2 stroke except for getting out of the hole?

Strick, the bulkhead I was referring to is the splashwell wall in front of the motor. In the picture above it has the curve in it with the wooden drop down wall.

eggsuckindog · #8 08-14-2006, 09:26 PM

First I am a 2S fan and not as familar with 4S, they will never be as responsive a 2S IMHO, just the natural of the beast. I have just heard quite few guys that went to them and were disappointed in the performance. Now that being said, it appears if you go a tad higher in HP that hole shot complaint goes away, its just seems its the same HP vs the same HP. A 250 DI 2S will push that thing like a ski boat, just said it should be an option.Its just the rigging initially and double maitaince that adds a ton to the cost, these 100 checks are supposed to be kinda steap $ wise. Honda builds everything good, always has and the deal may make the difference, I'm not worried on the weight too much with stuff you mentioned-Good Luck

bbh57 · #9 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 · #10 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