Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

A conversation among Whalers
cesarcap
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Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby cesarcap » Sat Sep 14, 2019 11:28 am

As I was researching on how re-power my 1999 Outrage 23, I came upon this thread:

Twin 150-HP: A Thing of the Past
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/004301.html

Before I read the thread, I was inclined to replace my 1999 225 Optimax with twin 150-HP engines to go near shore off Montauk with the occasional trip to Block Island or to fishing grounds about 10-miles southeast of Montauk Light on my mind. But after reading, I decided on a single 250-HP over the twin 150-HP as the cost difference was more than $5,000 with taxes. The 385-lbs weight savings was also an important consideration. I wanted the 300-HP engine, but the waiting list is 20-months.

I haven't been on the re-powered boat, but it's not like I can go flat out WOT that many times in Montauk.

I loved reading the old threads.

I am still interested in what people have done with their similar size and age Boston Whaler boats.
Last edited by cesarcap on Sat Sep 14, 2019 11:42 am, edited 1 time in total.

jimh
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby jimh » Sat Sep 14, 2019 11:47 am

I started that discussion on re-powering with twin 150-HP engines 13-years ago, when a 300-HP outboard was finally becoming available. But I am surprised to learn that today, 13-years later, a 300-HP outboard is not as available as I thought. Waiting 20-months to get one seems like a very long time--that might be two or almost three boating seasons for a northern boater like me.

The weight of the most modern 150-HP engines has been coming down, so the notion of twin 150-HP being more weight than they used to be as old classic two-stroke-power-cycle engines is still there, but now the difference is not as large.

One element of twin engines that I have not missed is the fussing with engine throttle settings. When I had twin engines I was always trying to keep their speed matched. Modern twin engines will likely use electronic throttle controls and will keep themselves at the same speed automatically, if desired.

But nothing makes up for the added cost of twins, and then double the cost for routine maintenance for two engines instead of one. And carrying maybe four spare propellers (both left and right hand regular pitch and left and right hand reduced pitch).

For my boating, my longest offshore run is about 75-miles (from Copper Harbor, across Lake Superior, to the SW end of Isle Royale). We do not do that as a routine operation or completely alone. And we usually do it with some other boats. The other boats may not be right alongside, but they are in close range--a few miles--and we stay in radio contact.

If I were going to run 75-miles of open water--in this case Lake Superior may as well be an ocean because the fetch East-to-West is over 500-miles--on a regular schedule, I would get twin engines (and RADAR).

At only 10-miles offshore, a boat is still generally in sight of land and well inside the radio coverage range of the USCG RESCUE 21 radio system, if a distress situation occurs. And at popular fishing spots, there will likely be other boats in the area.

My REVENGE 22 W-T Whaler Drive is rated for 300-HP, but I am quite content with a modern 225-HP single engine. I re-powered in 2009 with an E-TEC, replacing a carburetor Evinrude.

jimh
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby jimh » Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:01 pm

Were you referring to the new Mercury V8 300-HP FOURSTROKE engine as the one with the 20-month wait?

cesarcap
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby cesarcap » Sat Sep 14, 2019 12:05 pm

Yes. And the Mercury VERADO engines are currently hard to get with 30-inch shaft length apparently in NY and the east coast.

Jefecinco
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby Jefecinco » Sun Sep 15, 2019 10:41 am

Have you considered a 300 HP Suzuki? Professional fishing guides along the Alabama Coast frequently repower with the Suzuki brand.
Butch

biggiefl
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby biggiefl » Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:25 am

My bud has a 300 Suzuki on his 23 Seacraft and has taken it to the Bahamas over 150-miles offshore. I have been running Suzuki engines since 1981 and never had a single problem with them. Not to mention they are probably much cheaper than the Verado.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).

cesarcap
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby cesarcap » Tue Sep 17, 2019 9:16 pm

I considered other brands available with 300-HP; it is easier to finance [their purchase] apparently. But the dealers are an hour away by car from my dock.

Jefecinco
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby Jefecinco » Wed Sep 18, 2019 9:57 am

Cesar - If your local Mercury dealer can't get a 300 HP with a reasonable waiting period you may find that it is worth an hours drive to obtain an excellent substitute. Have you done a side by side comparison of the brands?
Butch

biggiefl
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Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby biggiefl » Wed Sep 18, 2019 10:08 am

You can get a 300 Suzuki near me for under $18,000; Yamaha wants almost $5,000 more. I have never priced a Mercury ;)

Does the VERADO engine still have the 6-bolt mount?

That mount may not allow for a re-power on older hulls—from what I remember reading years ago.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).

cesarcap
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Joined: Wed Aug 29, 2018 8:08 pm

Re: Re-power with Twin 150 or Single 300.

Postby cesarcap » Thu Sep 26, 2019 6:43 am

Thanks for your replies.

I used my re-powered boat last weekend. The 250-HP four-stroke-power-cycle engine is more than adequate for 95-percent of my usage.

I will still need to play around with propellers. My Mercury dealer, who is three minutes by boat from my dock, has many for me to test before I make my current propeller a spare.

Some gauges also need to be connected .

The dealer’s location and respected mechanics sold me.

Driving from Montauk to any where else outside of Montauk is a pain. There is one road: Route 27.