2001 Sport 13 Repower

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
jim40
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2016 10:48 am
Location: Lake Guntersville Alabama

2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby jim40 » Wed Jun 14, 2017 5:49 pm

Hello. I want to repower my 2001 Sport 13. It currently has the 2001 40-HP Mercury two-stroke-power-cycle that came with it. I want to upgrade to a four-stroke-power-cycle engine. Ideally, I would like to make it a 50 or 60-HP engine. I will have an extra battery, trolling motor, and other equipment on the boat. Also, I am 230 lbs. and with another adult, the 13 is going to be pretty much loaded. I am also running into a problem in finding any dealers wanting to put anything above a 40-HP on the boat as that is what it is rated for.

What is the most powerful 40-HP engine available?

I know staying with Mercury, I will be able to keep my current controls. If I do stay with Mercury, do I get the four-cylinder Command Thrust model that is able to spin a larger prop for a bigger load?

Or will the three-cylinder 40-HP with the smaller gear case be sufficient?

My dealer says I will see a significant difference between the 40-HP two-stroke-power-cycle engine I have now and a new 40-HP FOURSTROKE Command Thrust engine.

Also, what about an E-TEC or Yamaha 40?

I know the E-TEC 40 Is a two-cylinder engine, and I am not sure about the Yamaha cylinders.

I sure would appreciate any advice, reasons, and recommendations on what the best 40 would be to fit my needs. I really don't mind buying new controls if one particular motor stands out above the rest.

Thank you for your time, and looking forward to your answers.

jim40
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2016 10:48 am
Location: Lake Guntersville Alabama

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby jim40 » Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:04 pm

Does anyone have any experiences with repowering a 2001 sport 13/130 with any of the newer 40 hp. four strokes?

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby drewread » Tue Aug 01, 2017 12:08 pm

On a 13' hull your maximum horsepower rating is 40hp.

The newer engines are all substantially heavier than the two-strokes of old, so you will have a hard time getting a new 40hp to sit well on that hull. When I was looking in the past I think I found the Tohatsu was the lightest 40hp option, but with no pull start I steered clear of it. My next choice was a 30hp E-TEC which I have heard nothing but good things about on that hull. I eventually ended up staying with my 40hp Yamaha 2-stroke, as I couldn't really see or justify buying a new motor for that hull.

There are many threads on that subject both here and on the other Whaler forums.

Good luck!

Drewread

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby Jefecinco » Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:44 pm

Is there a significant difference between a 2001 Sport 13 and a new 130 Sport hull? The new 130 Sports are powered with 40 HP Mercury four stroke engines. If the hulls are essentially the same the Sport 13 should have no difficulty with the weight of a 40 HP Mercury four stroke engine.

The question of repowering with a 50 or 60 HP engine is difficult to answer as I've never heard of that power being used on a 13. I certainly would not do it without hard evidence that the boat could withstand both the engine weight and the added torque. I would also question the ability of most people to handle such a small and light boat with a 50/60 HP engine at WOT. I would not do it without operating a Sport 13 with the added HP.
Butch

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby drewread » Tue Aug 01, 2017 7:51 pm

Good luck getting insurance for a hull rated at a max of 40hp if you have a 50 or 60hp engine in it. There is a reason for that.

I do believe the hull's are a substantially different design, but I'm sure someone else can chime in on that.

macfam
Posts: 180
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2015 9:24 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby macfam » Wed Aug 02, 2017 6:59 am

As you describe your load, you will need a motor with enough grunt to get on plane quickly, and have enough reserve power.
In my opinion, no 4-stroke will have the torque and acceleration as the 40 E-TEC. It is as quiet as the 4-stokes, no smoke, perhaps more fuel efficient, and even though only 2 cylinders has lots of grunt. Downside is 240+ pounds.

Jefecinco
Posts: 1592
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 6:35 pm
Location: Gulf Shores, AL

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby Jefecinco » Wed Aug 02, 2017 10:03 am

Drew,

I've never been required by an insurer to state the engine HP on a boat .
Butch

User avatar
dg22
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:06 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby dg22 » Wed Aug 02, 2017 12:17 pm

The 30 HP ETEC would be my pick. I did notice Tohatsu 4-strokes (40 and 50 HP models) weigh 209 lbs and they have them in short shaft and long shaft.

jim40
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2016 10:48 am
Location: Lake Guntersville Alabama

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby jim40 » Wed Aug 02, 2017 4:29 pm

Thank all of you guys for the replies. After doing a lot of research on the latest 40 hp. models, this is what I have found.
To start off with, the motor that I currently have, that was factory install form Boston Whaler is known as a "40 classic". I called Mercury Marine to get the specs on this original motor. they are as follows: 40 hp. 2 cylinder, 2 stroke, 39.3 cubic inch / 645 cc motor with a 2.00:1 gear ratio. Mercury specs say the lightest model weighs about 176 lbs. That would be for a rope start, short shaft model. This one has a long shaft and power trim and tilt. So, this motor as installed will be around 200-205 lbs. All motor weights are based on the engines being "dry".

All of the newer 40 hp. engines that I have researched have larger powerheads in 2 and 4 stroke models than the model I currently have on the boat. All of the newer engines are fuel injected. Injection and ignition types vary depending on the manufacturer. Here is a quick break down of what I found from largest displacement to the smallest. All are 40 hp. engines.

1. Mercury 4 stroke Command Thrust - 60 cubic inch/995 cc, 260 lbs., 2.33:1 G/R. inline 4 cylinder. (same for 50-60 hp. motors also).

2. Suzuki 4 stroke - 57.4 cubic inch/941 cc, 229 lbs., 2.27:1 G/R. inline 3 cylinder (has 4 valves per cylinder, timing chain, not belt). (50 hp. also).

3. Tohatsu/Nissan - 52.9 cubic inch/866 cc, 209 lbs., 2.08:1 G/R. inline 3 cylinder. (50 hp. also).

4. Etec - 52.7 cubic inch/863cc., 240lbs., 2.9:1 G/R., inline 2 cylinder/2 stroke. (50/60 also).

5. Honda - 49.3 cubic inch/808cc., 214 lbs., 2.08 G/R., inline 3 cylinder.

6. Mercury/Yamaha - 45.6 cubic inch/747 cc., 2.00:1 G/R., inline 3 cylinder (The Merc. version of this engine in the currently installed on the new Whaler 130's).

Just for note, the Mercury 50/60 hp. non-command thrust models are 60.0 cubic inch/995cc., 247lbs., 1.83:1 G/R., inline 4 cylinder (smaller foot).

So, there is a lot to consider when repowering this BW 13 Sport. I like the Suzuki for the engine technology, and the Tohatsu and Honda for their weight. All are priced fairly close to each other, and some dealers are closer than others. I would like just to get the strongest/most reliable motor that I can. I think any of the new models would probably be superior to my existing engine. The 3 cylinder Mercury and Yamaha would probably be the weakest choice of the new models. I think the Command thrust Mercury's might be too heavy.

I am open with all ears to hear comments, and thoughts on this subject that anyone might have. Also, for anyone that has repowered a BW Sport 13/130 from model years 2000 to 2008.

Thank you,

Jim

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby drewread » Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:01 pm

Read down through this forum and others and you will see these same conclusions have been reached by many others regarding the 13-footer re-power.

A majority of the 40-HP engines are, as you have discovered, simply too heavy for the older hulls. As such most owners are putting on the lower HP engines, such as the E-TEC 30, on the 13-foot hull, and most seem to be very happy with those engines.

I personally am selling my 13-footer, as I have purchased a 15-footer. But am in the same predicament with the 15-footer. I have decided to drop ten horsepower from my maximum rated 70-HP. I am going with an E-TEC 60. The E-TEC 60 H.O. (65hp) is too heavy for the 15-foot hull. I will report on that choice once I get the propeller tuned and am out for a run on a nice day. I don't think I am going to regret it.

I too liked the Tohatsu-Nissan as a choice for the 13-footer, as the price was great as were the features. The only thing that stopped me from purchasing it was the lack of an emergency rope starting ability if the battery went dead. That was a show stopper for me.

Regarding over-powering your hull with a 50 or 60-HP engine and your insurer not knowing, they will know as they will have the model of the hull and the model of the engine on file. They can easily match them if they chose, and if you are involved in any incident or accident they will most certainly look into that as a problem.

Drewread

User avatar
dg22
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:06 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby dg22 » Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:28 pm

What would be the performance difference between an E-TEC 30 versus, for example, a HONDA BF 40 or other four-stroke-power-cycle 40-HP engine?

To buy a heavy 40-HP four-stroke engine and find out that the performance is similar to an E-TEC 30-HP engine would be a shame.

drewread
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 7:11 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby drewread » Wed Aug 02, 2017 9:23 pm

Reports seem to be that due to the additional weight there is little difference. But I am only repeating what has already been said in other threads, I don't have any experience with it myself.

jim40
Posts: 14
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2016 10:48 am
Location: Lake Guntersville Alabama

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby jim40 » Thu Aug 03, 2017 9:26 am

My insurance agent said he would have no problem insuring the boat with a larger motor on it. I talked with him before I even considered a larger motor. A larger motor might hamper a sale in the future as some have said.

User avatar
dg22
Posts: 92
Joined: Sun Nov 29, 2015 4:06 pm

Re: 2001 Sport 13 Repower

Postby dg22 » Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:51 am

I have a 1973 Evinrude 50-HP engine on my 1967 13-footer. The boat handles the engine fine. The engine weighs around 185-lbs.

I recently put on [an anti-ventilation plate foil extension] on the gear case to reduce the repeated oscillation of the bow when on plane with me alone in the boat. [The added foil appendage] also keeps the bow low when getting on plane.

If you need the extra horsepower, I would be leaning towards the Honda 50 or Tohatsu 50 as they are lighter than the others you mentioned.

Somewhere I read the Honda 50 is very quiet and smooth.