Re-powering my seacraft

[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.