1984 Outrage 25 with bracket - twin engine Evinrude G2 options
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2017 11:07 am
I am trying to figure out details about Evinrude G2 repower options for my boat, and am considering the range from the G2 150 up to the G2 200 HO. I am also interested in the iDock control option that is available. I appreciate your help with my questions.
My 1984 Outrage 25 has twin 2006 Optimax 150s currently that run fine, but I am planning to repower this winter with new twin engines - I like twins and will stay with them. After I added a Hermco bracket to my regular transom boat (similar to a Whalerdrive), I can tell that it takes more power to plane than it used to. The boat also runs faster once on plane (2-4 mph faster than when it was a regular transom) but where it used to pop onto plane with a single engine dragging the second motor, now it works hard to plane on a single engine.
As good as the Optimax have been, they are louder than other engines and I'm not using them again. I am seriously considering the new Mercury 150 Fourstroke, but it won't have any more power than my current engines, and I appreciate the ability to run well on a single engine as I was able to do when the boat had no bracket, and not just get by as it does with the bracket. I don't believe I would get any extra power to plane likely available in Suzuki's options either (up to 200 hp models at least), and so that leaves me with Mercury and Evinrude. The Mercury 150 Fourstroke would be easy - I could literally unhook all my controls, connect to the new engine, and be done, at minimal extra weight. But the Evinrude G2 has several appealing aspects to me.
-Similar or better low end torque as the Optimax
-Integrated controls keep my bracket swim platform very clean and usable
-Options to get substantially more power for planing
-Electronic controls
-iDock which my wife would really appreciate when driving herself
It is possible that the G2s may be too heavy or have another reason to not use, but that is what I want to nail down.
1. What are the different options and weights within the G2 models? I've read mention of getting them with various steering option at least, and it seems like there may be different weights with different steering options. Looking in the range of engines I'm considering, I see
200 HO - 537 lbs
200 - from 528-531
175 - from 530-541
150 - from 496-512
I presume that the weights all correspond to the shortest shaft options, but figure 10 lbs or so for a longer shaft. But what do the other weight values correspond to? It is interesting that the G2 HO looks nearly comparable to the G2 175 and G2 200 in published weight.
2. How much space does the iDock motor control module require, and is it a waterproof module? I have limited rear space on my boat - really only the quarter/corner boxes, as when I added the bracket I did not build cabinets on the center portion like came standard on Whalerdrive boats. So, I do have some hidden space at the rear where I could install the control modules, but it is not extensive, and it can get wet at times.
3. Other than cost, it seems like the preferred motor for this boat would be a G2 200 HO, which should be a strong 200 hp motor since it is built on the larger block and I presume would have noticeably more torque than the smaller block 150/175/200 models. But is there a big difference in torque between the big block and small block? I am really seeking more low end torque in considering more powerful motors - the Optimax 150s I have currently give me ample top end speed (high 40s), and even on a single Optimax 150 I can run about 35 mph with 4 people on the boat, but the boat works hard to get up on plane since I added the bracket.
4. For all of these, I am looking at adding some weight to the rear of the boat. My Optimax weighs around 440 lbs. There is some overlap in the steering weight with the G2s, but my current steering cylinder and tie bar are probably only 10-15 lbs, which is insignificant. However, I have ample weight capacity with the big flotation tank on the bracket - having an adult stand on the swim platform makes an insignificant difference in how the boat sits - having 2-3 adults back there is very noticeable, but a single adult is not, so I've got some room to play with on weight, though I'm not certain just how much.
5. All G2 models appears to be on a built in setback bracket, which pushes the motor back about 4" or so from how a regular motor would sit.
6. Does the G2 use a traditional motor mounting bracket? I have a Turboswing water sports tow bar that mounts to the motor bracket bolts, and I'd want to use that again also.
My 1984 Outrage 25 has twin 2006 Optimax 150s currently that run fine, but I am planning to repower this winter with new twin engines - I like twins and will stay with them. After I added a Hermco bracket to my regular transom boat (similar to a Whalerdrive), I can tell that it takes more power to plane than it used to. The boat also runs faster once on plane (2-4 mph faster than when it was a regular transom) but where it used to pop onto plane with a single engine dragging the second motor, now it works hard to plane on a single engine.
As good as the Optimax have been, they are louder than other engines and I'm not using them again. I am seriously considering the new Mercury 150 Fourstroke, but it won't have any more power than my current engines, and I appreciate the ability to run well on a single engine as I was able to do when the boat had no bracket, and not just get by as it does with the bracket. I don't believe I would get any extra power to plane likely available in Suzuki's options either (up to 200 hp models at least), and so that leaves me with Mercury and Evinrude. The Mercury 150 Fourstroke would be easy - I could literally unhook all my controls, connect to the new engine, and be done, at minimal extra weight. But the Evinrude G2 has several appealing aspects to me.
-Similar or better low end torque as the Optimax
-Integrated controls keep my bracket swim platform very clean and usable
-Options to get substantially more power for planing
-Electronic controls
-iDock which my wife would really appreciate when driving herself
It is possible that the G2s may be too heavy or have another reason to not use, but that is what I want to nail down.
1. What are the different options and weights within the G2 models? I've read mention of getting them with various steering option at least, and it seems like there may be different weights with different steering options. Looking in the range of engines I'm considering, I see
200 HO - 537 lbs
200 - from 528-531
175 - from 530-541
150 - from 496-512
I presume that the weights all correspond to the shortest shaft options, but figure 10 lbs or so for a longer shaft. But what do the other weight values correspond to? It is interesting that the G2 HO looks nearly comparable to the G2 175 and G2 200 in published weight.
2. How much space does the iDock motor control module require, and is it a waterproof module? I have limited rear space on my boat - really only the quarter/corner boxes, as when I added the bracket I did not build cabinets on the center portion like came standard on Whalerdrive boats. So, I do have some hidden space at the rear where I could install the control modules, but it is not extensive, and it can get wet at times.
3. Other than cost, it seems like the preferred motor for this boat would be a G2 200 HO, which should be a strong 200 hp motor since it is built on the larger block and I presume would have noticeably more torque than the smaller block 150/175/200 models. But is there a big difference in torque between the big block and small block? I am really seeking more low end torque in considering more powerful motors - the Optimax 150s I have currently give me ample top end speed (high 40s), and even on a single Optimax 150 I can run about 35 mph with 4 people on the boat, but the boat works hard to get up on plane since I added the bracket.
4. For all of these, I am looking at adding some weight to the rear of the boat. My Optimax weighs around 440 lbs. There is some overlap in the steering weight with the G2s, but my current steering cylinder and tie bar are probably only 10-15 lbs, which is insignificant. However, I have ample weight capacity with the big flotation tank on the bracket - having an adult stand on the swim platform makes an insignificant difference in how the boat sits - having 2-3 adults back there is very noticeable, but a single adult is not, so I've got some room to play with on weight, though I'm not certain just how much.
5. All G2 models appears to be on a built in setback bracket, which pushes the motor back about 4" or so from how a regular motor would sit.
6. Does the G2 use a traditional motor mounting bracket? I have a Turboswing water sports tow bar that mounts to the motor bracket bolts, and I'd want to use that again also.