Dauntless 16 re-power
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2018 11:31 am
Hello,
I am still using my Dauntless 16 with the stock Mercury 90-HP two-stroke-power-cycle engine. I'm happy with the current settings:
—stainless steel Stiletto 13.25 x 17-pitch propeller
—engine mounted 3-holes-up
Compared to the stock setting (aluminium black max 13*19 and only 1 hole up), performances and riding are significantly improved. I know that 90 hp is a little bit just, but the settings, resulting from good advices received on this forum, made a very good compromise and performances are largely acceptable, even loaded with people.
But,... this engine is now 20 years old. I know that it can breakdown @ anytime. If I was to replace the engine, I would go to 115 hp. The offer is quite large, but in my area (peninsula in Britanny in France), I have dealers for Mercury and Yamaha. I would prefer to go Mercury because less expensive and their 115 hp is the lightest on the market (360 lbs). Yamaha makes 390 lbs and I know that weight on the transom is really key for this boat.
Did anyone experienced the 115 hp from mercury on that boat ? Ideally I would like to re-use my Stiletto prop, and given its features, it can only go to small gearcase, so CT models and sea pro models cannot be chosen. Then two options :
- regular 115 hp (max 6000 rpm and gear ratio of 2.07)
- Pro XS 115 hp (max 6300 rpm and gear ratio of 2.07)
With my 90 2 troke, I could reach 40 mph @ 5500 rpm wot with gear ratio of 2.33. My Stiletto prop is running like a 19 even if it is a 17 pitch.
Should the 115 engine be mounted as high on the transom ? I know this boat is very particular because of its weight sensitivity on the transom and engine dealers always follow manufacturers recommendation with engine height and prop selection that are not adequate with this boat, reason why I took advices here and why I request again good recommendations.
Thanks a lot in advance
Luc
I am still using my Dauntless 16 with the stock Mercury 90-HP two-stroke-power-cycle engine. I'm happy with the current settings:
—stainless steel Stiletto 13.25 x 17-pitch propeller
—engine mounted 3-holes-up
Compared to the stock setting (aluminium black max 13*19 and only 1 hole up), performances and riding are significantly improved. I know that 90 hp is a little bit just, but the settings, resulting from good advices received on this forum, made a very good compromise and performances are largely acceptable, even loaded with people.
But,... this engine is now 20 years old. I know that it can breakdown @ anytime. If I was to replace the engine, I would go to 115 hp. The offer is quite large, but in my area (peninsula in Britanny in France), I have dealers for Mercury and Yamaha. I would prefer to go Mercury because less expensive and their 115 hp is the lightest on the market (360 lbs). Yamaha makes 390 lbs and I know that weight on the transom is really key for this boat.
Did anyone experienced the 115 hp from mercury on that boat ? Ideally I would like to re-use my Stiletto prop, and given its features, it can only go to small gearcase, so CT models and sea pro models cannot be chosen. Then two options :
- regular 115 hp (max 6000 rpm and gear ratio of 2.07)
- Pro XS 115 hp (max 6300 rpm and gear ratio of 2.07)
With my 90 2 troke, I could reach 40 mph @ 5500 rpm wot with gear ratio of 2.33. My Stiletto prop is running like a 19 even if it is a 17 pitch.
Should the 115 engine be mounted as high on the transom ? I know this boat is very particular because of its weight sensitivity on the transom and engine dealers always follow manufacturers recommendation with engine height and prop selection that are not adequate with this boat, reason why I took advices here and why I request again good recommendations.
Thanks a lot in advance
Luc