Should I do it

[Yz2009]

Currently I have a 1987 20' SF with a mariner 200. Last weekend the motor gave up so it's time for a new one.

I've looked around and can't find anything but I talked to my yamaha dealer who has a great deal on a 225 ox66. My current engine weights 400lbs and the ox66 would be tipping the scales at just under 500lbs. I would really rather get something lighter but I can't find anything as cheap as this engine. I really can't find any other engine for that matter and I'm itching to get back on the water.

I've sat on my engine when I was parked at the dock (total weight of me plus engine is ~570). With no one in the back it will still self bail. But barely. With 1 person in the back water will come in the scuppers. I always trailer and usually have the scuppers plugged anyway becuase with my current setup water will come in with 2 people fish the back.

What would you guys do?

[McGillicuddy]

Presumably you have a 25" transom, but I think 500lbs motor on a 20 is bad juju.

Close your transom or stay out of the big pool. Clearly you're hellbent on top speed. In that case get an old 2.4L merc (360 lbs) and put some 225 carbs on it. With gas moving near $5/gal, depending on your budget and use, I'd seriously consider a 140 Zuke or a 115 - 150 etec or optimax or even a 4S Yamaha F115.

my .02

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

Presumably you have a 25" transom, but I think 500lbs motor on a 20 is bad juju.

Close your transom or stay out of the big pool. Clearly you're hellbent on top speed. In that case get an old 2.4L merc (360 lbs) and put some 225 carbs on it. With gas moving near $5/gal, depending on your budget and use, I'd seriously consider a 140 Zuke or a 115 - 150 etec or optimax or even a 4S Yamaha F115.

my .02

Listen to the Google Earth Mastah.

My rude 150 is good on power and weight is the enemy on these slackers.

Light is right. Wanna go fast, get a Merc. Simple. Just keep it light.

Cheers,
NSF

[Yz2009]

I honestly am not concerned about speed. I usually cruise 25-30. I almost never go over 40. This is the only engine I can find at the moment. I'm just itching to get back on the water. I would love a 115 Yamaha but can't afford it.

I can get this 1998 ox66 225 for $2000 with rigging.

[McGillicuddy]

Where are you located Yz? That price is good especially with rigging, but again weight a the factor. Shipping a motor is really pretty cheap and now knowing top end ain't your primary issue, I'd suggest you look around on scream and fly or craigslist for something lighter. You can find reliable 115 to 150 hp 2 strokes all day long for well under that 2K price. Good luck.

[Yz2009]

Im located in nantucket, mass. (which makes finding an engine that much more difficult becasue im on an island)

Idealy if money wasnt an issue i would get a new yamaha f115 but unfortunately it is very much out of my price range. ill take a look at scream and fly didnt think of that. Although if im going through the trouble of a repower i would like to switch to yamaha, but at this point ill take almost any running engine

[McGillicuddy]

You might try to get in touch with Bigshrimpin via private message. He might just have a Franken Merc or Mariner for sale or perhaps the parts you need. The guy is a master with Mercs and Johnnyrudes. and he knows his way around motor salvage. He's probably really busy slammin' grumpy stripers right now but he's down near Woods Hole and fishes E rocks and Buzzards's. If you can connect, surely you could catch a ferry to pick up a motor on the Cape. Bunch of guys on the south end of the cape that might be willin' to help you out. Good luck. By the way I run a 83 Merc 115 inline six and is pushes my Seafari at 25-30 all day getting about 2.5mpg. Knowing you're on Nantucket reinforces the need for a light engine. And good bilge pumps, and a transom wall. Mitchman lost his 20 off Martha's Vineyard last year. Sunk in minutes because his pumps failed. Do a search for his bro's video. Spooky but they all made it home.

[Yz2009]

i remember seeing the video last year on thehulltruth, it went down quick. I actually just got a second bilge pump and high water switch this year, now i just need to get the boat wet. thanks for the advice and ill try some pm's

[McGillicuddy]

Check you private mail in a few minutes. There is also a 2.5L 175 in worcester for a bit more than your plan but hey its negotiable ... Good Luck,
Gillie

[ScottM]

Gillie has a great suggestion contacting Bigshrimpin. Also try some of the marinas along the south side of the Cape, particularly Dennis to Chatham. Lots of boats around there and lots of guys fishing commercial so older 2 strokes are readily available. A lot of the Chatham guys swear by the older Yamahas (2.6-3.3L) so keep that in mind. Just make sure that shift shaft has already been replaced before snatching one up or you could be in for a bitch of a repair. Also check CL...I've seen numerous 115's (all makes) available recently. As a lot of SC owners have already figured out, the 130 Yammie is almost a perfect match for the 20 so try to find one of those.

As others have said, that OX66 is a lot of weight hanging off an open transom. Even on the back of my dad's former 23' Sceptre, his 25" carb'd 225 would cause water over the transom with a couple guys in the back.