Re-powering my seacraft

[FishStretcher]

I have a 356lb 100hp 4 stroke on a 20 footer and I like it just fine. I get the feeling that the water is often flatter in Florida, so you can take advantage of big power on little boats, so the combinations down there are sometimes a bit different from the those in the Northeast.

I would think that a modern 90 on an 18 footer would be a great combo for performance and on the wallet. And still fine for a 20 footer. Spend a little time on prop tuning and selection to maximize the potential.

[McGillicuddy]

Your kinda all over the board. Just one look a bitsamonkey's Garmin on that other post is as good of a sales pitch as I would need.

If you are looking new, Zuke 90 would be a fantastic all-around choice. 115 Etec is also a great choice. Etec 90 and F90/100 Yammie would also be effective.

Zuke 140 or etec 150 are a bit heavier than I would want.

IMO F200 is just silly.

[infanterene]

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

Your kinda all over the board. Just one look a bitsamonkey's Garmin on that other post is as good of a sales pitch as I would need.

If you are looking new, Zuke 90 would be a fantastic all-around choice. 115 Etec is also a great choice. Etec 90 and F90/100 Yammie would also be effective.

Zuke 140 or etec 150 are a bit heavier than I would want.

IMO F200 is just silly.

I am all over the place, my head hurts. All I know is that the boat felt perfect they way it was. I dont mind loosing some top speed but I do want to be be able to cruise at 30-35 mph.

[FishStretcher]

Originally Posted by infanterene

I am all over the place, my head hurts. All I know is that the boat felt perfect they way it was. I dont mind loosing some top speed but I do want to be be able to cruise at 30-35 mph.

Well, I think a 90 or 100 would do >35 WOTon your 18 footer. Well tuned, maybe 40 MPH. And about 35-37 WOT on a 20. Mine is 33-34 MPH at WOT, because I drag a big wing thru the water to lower the minimum planing speed, because I have a 4 stroke kicker and a 4 stroke main on the stern. I do fish offshore in the rougher stuff a bit.

My 4 stroke Yamaha F100 is probably quieter (and happy there) at 5500RPM than a lot of the bigger older 2 strokes at cruise. And the 5-6MPG is a bonus.

I think anywhere from 90 to a light 115 is your sweet spot. Watch out, there are heavy 115 outboards out there. So do your homework.

If I had your 18, I might try a 70 hp if it was lighter than a 90 so I could take advantage of it. But that not be a good motor for a Florida bay boat.

[infanterene]

Originally Posted by FishStretcher

Well, I think a 90 or 100 would do >35 WOTon your 18 footer. Well tuned, maybe 40 MPH. And about 35-37 WOT on a 20. Mine is 33-34 MPH at WOT, because I drag a big wing thru the water to lower the minimum planing speed, because I have a 4 stroke kicker and a 4 stroke main on the stern. I do fish offshore in the rougher stuff a bit.

My 4 stroke Yamaha F100 is probably quieter (and happy there) at 5500RPM than a lot of the bigger older 2 strokes at cruise. And the 5-6MPG is a bonus.

I think anywhere from 90 to a light 115 is your sweet spot. Watch out, there are heavy 115 outboards out there. So do your homework.

If I had your 18, I might try a 70 hp if it was lighter than a 90 so I could take advantage of it. But that not be a good motor for a Florida bay boat.

How much does your motor weigh? According to yamahas website the F115 weighs 408lbs. The F90 weighs 366lbs. Mercurys 4 stroke 115 weighs 399lbs. The Suzuki 140 weighs 407lbs. I had seen an add for a new Suzuki 140 for $8800, looks like a good option.

[asdfhood]

All Mercury Optimax 1.5 liter motors from 75 HP to 125 HP weigh the same, 375 lbs. I think if my Yamaha 130 2 smoke ever throws in the towel that will be my choice for my 18 even though I have never had a Mercury. Always had Yamaha or OMC .

[infanterene]

Originally Posted by asdfhood

All Mercury Optimax 1.5 liter motors from 75 HP to 125 HP weigh the same, 375 lbs. I think if my Yamaha 130 2 smoke ever throws in the towel that will be my choice for my 18 even though I have never had a Mercury. Always had Yamaha or OMC .

I like the optimax too but ive watched youube videos and read test that make it sound pretty loud.

[FishStretcher]

Originally Posted by infanterene

How much does your motor weigh? According to yamahas website the F115 weighs 408lbs. The F90 weighs 366lbs. Mercurys 4 stroke 115 weighs 399lbs. The Suzuki 140 weighs 407lbs. I had seen an add for a new Suzuki 140 for $8800, looks like a good option.

366 lb for a 2000 model year. The F75, F90 and F100 are pretty much the same thing. My guess is that cams are the difference? The F100 is no longer made. Certain Mercury motors used the F75/90 Yamaha engine. The F100 is known for lots of revs, not a lot of midrange. Not sure on the F75 or F90, but my guess would be that they are similar, or maybe a bit better midrange and a touch less top end? Fr. Frank knows.

The nice thing about the Yamaha is that the corrosion protection is good. It unbolts fine after 12 years and 700 hours.

[infanterene]

Jeez the shop close by does warranty work for Yamaha and Mercury and they tell me Yamaha has corrosion issues. I find it hard to believe.

[infanterene]

Sometimes the bay is pretty flat here, especially in the summer. I dont plan on leaving the bay as I suck at fishing offshore.

I go to the sandbar with my wife(sometimes the kids too) then we go to lunch at one of the water front restaurants and then maybe cruise around for a while.

I have recently gotten hooked on back country fishing and might use my boat for the occasional fishing trip.