What outboard motor?

[ocuyler]

I finally will be getting back to work on the 23CC in September. I was asking Finster what he thought about putting the 1989 Yamaha 200 back on. It ran great when last used 2 years ago, but has 800 salt water hours. I hate to spend a bunch more money if that motor has a reasonable life expectancy left in it.

If I went the new motor route, I'd probably look at at something 200-225 light weight like an Evinrude and forgo the bracket as the transom has been renovated. Either way, I would have a dealer do the rigging.

Any comments?

[Scott]

Otto ....You need to do and get whats right for you ....not what I "like" or someone else "likes" or is partial to .... I mean if there are no dealerships for other manufactures in your area and you start having warranty issues on a new motor ...thats going to get old real quick...there are really no other dealerships in the area besides Evinrude ??

Did you have a survey done on your existing motor and or a mechanic check it over ?? If a survey came back sound ...I would keep running what you've got ...until problems start to crop up and the reliability and fun factor go away. Some of those older motors are very resilient. Also remember if you turn around and decide you want to get rid of that boat in a year or so …you're going to take a soaking !!!!

Trust me I have my favorites also .... but they may not work for you

[Ed]

Hey Otto-

If I were you, I would run that old Yammie until you blow the powerhead. Why spend money that you don't have to, especially if the engine was running well when you took it off the boat. Also, make sure that you rewinterize that engine every fall....I just saw the cylinder walls of an engine that was winterized two years ago...and they were covered with rust and the engine was junk.

Also, as Scott said, you should probably buy an engine from a local dealer. You don't want to be "a man without a country" when it comes to getting serviced.

Good luck.

Ed

[ScottM]

Otto,
A buddy of mine has an '87 Yam 200 with approx. 1300 hours and it runs like a top. He bought it at 1050 and hasn't had a problem at all. Last year I was talking to a OB mechanic in Chatham and he said the mid- to late-80s Yamahas were the best in his opinion - quality, durability, etc. IMO, run the Yam till it blows, which very well could be 3-4 years down the road @ 100 hours/season.

[FELLOW-SHIP]

Ha Otto
I got your solution for ya. Change your theory to “The Three Boat Theory” sell the one you don’t want then take the $$$ and buy a BRAND NEW 250 or your choice. I bet even your wife would consider it a step in the right direction. THINK ABOUT IT.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[jedgar]

I agree with the others, if the motor you have is in decent shape, run it until it blows or starts to really annoy you with problems.

If you do end up deciding you "need" a new motor (or motors), I don't think you could do any better than Suzuki 4 strokes based on my experience.

In Dec. 2000, I put a pair of brand new 2001 115HP 4 strokes on my 1985 23' Scepter. 900+ hours later and other than normal maintenance, they run as good as the first day I ran them, not a single problem. Really makes it fun to know you can pretty much just turn the key and go, no worries.

I fish out of Port Canaveral, Fl. and normally log 60 to as much as 100 miles on our offshore trips. We average 2 trips a month. I crank the motors when we leave the dock at 5AM and don't shut them down until we get back at 5/6PM. They never sputter. Troll as much as you want, idle speed (slow troll live bait) for half a day, not a problem. Oh, I do change the plugs every 400 hours, even though both times they've looked fine.

I was concerned that changing the oil would be alot of extra work. Not so, I change filters ($4 at NAPA) and oil on both motors in a little over an hour (need to do this every 100 hours), at much less cost than the 2 stroke oil you would burn in those same 100hours.

I think the new Suzuki 225 or 250 4 stroke would be a great motor for the 23', if you want to stick with a single. I've heard great things about them, from a couple of guys around here that are running them.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[Bigshrimpin]

FBT - The older yamaha's have a bit of corrosion problem. Keep an eye on the shift shaft and the steering arm . . . when your shift shaft goes and it will . . . you have to pull the powerhead by removing 6 long non-stainless metric bolts that are almost always fused into the upper casing) It's a pain in the arse b/c the head of the bolts like to snap off.

Other than the shift shaft and steering arm.
watch out for the wiring harness (again corrosion)
and the oil injection (float assembly).

Run it till it dies . . . those 2.6 yamaha's run a long time and are surprisingly efficent compared to the OMC carb outboards. usually 2.5gph or better @ 4000rpm.

[ocuyler]

I knew I could count on you guys for a quick logical response. No, I have not had the 200 surveyed, but will soon. Subject to that, I'll probably go ahead and run it til it becomes a problem as many have suggested. With no tune up and having sat outside for 2 years, she pushed the 23 to almost 45 with a light load. The good news is she is now in fresh water for the duration.

Fellowship - You'll be happy to know that the Four Boat Theory will soon be ending as the Carver Aft Cabin will be sold in the next 10 days if all goes well. That frees up a lot of cash and seasonal expense. Once the 23 is back online, I'll probably sell the 16 Whaler Dauntless and stick with the 23 for a while. Ultimately, however, I can see myself with only the fully renovated 1971 20' Seafari with a Hermco bracket and a new 175 4 stroke. Oh my! - a One Boat Theory! What is happening? Wisdom at 48?

Thanks for the comments guys...

[gw204]

Agreed.

Have the old 200 checked out and run it if all is well. You never know how long it might last. 800 is not a huge amount of hours. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

However, consider this. After putting so much blood, sweat and tears into the boat getting her back to new condition, why slap an outboard on there that is not on the same cosmetic level as the boat? You may want to consider a fresh coat of paint for the motor, new decals and all new rigging (gauges, wiring harness, controls, etc)....if you haven't already. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Michael Vezzosi]

Hello Otto. How are you? One question. If/when you sell the Dauntless, will you be trailering the '23 SC to HHI this year? I clearly remember the post of the Carver last winter. Good luck with her sale. Vezo, Part II.