13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
Water Rat
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13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby Water Rat » Thu Jul 21, 2016 1:09 pm

Hello All. I have a 1984 Sport 13 currently with a very tired 1994 Mercury 40-HP four-cylinder two-stroke-power-cycl engine that weighs 177-lbs. Of course, I am concerned about the additional weight of the new engines available. Yamaha, Mercury and Evinrude are my targets. I have narrowed my search mainly to the Yamaha F40 because it is the lightest of the three engines--214 lbs for the Yamaha, 220-lbs for the Mercury, and 240-lbs for the Evinrude--and the local service network.

Please comment from experience in running a c.1980 13-footer with either a current Yamaha, Mercury or Evinrude 40. Thanks in advance for your help. I am open to suggestions.

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Dutchman
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Re: 13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby Dutchman » Thu Jul 21, 2016 3:07 pm

I know you asked for the information on [engines from] three manufacturers, but I heard the Suzuki 30-HP (160-lbs) does great on the 13-footer, is inexpensive, and comes complete with controls. You might want to look at [the Suzuki 30-HP], too.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot

jimh
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Re: 13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby jimh » Thu Jul 21, 2016 3:51 pm

Your present two-cycle engine has four-cylinders and probably is quite a smoothie. If you went with the E-TEC 40 you'd have a two-cylinder engine. There may be more vibration. Of course, there would also probably more power.

The E-TEC engine offers advantages over the four-stroke-power-cycle engines, like no oil changes and very easy winterization.

Like DUTCH', I cannot offer you any EXPERIENCE with the engine he recommends, the SUZUKI DF30A, but that engine is discussed in a recent thread. If you want to hear more about it from some people who actually have it:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1163&p=7314

Water Rat
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Re: 13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby Water Rat » Thu Jul 21, 2016 8:42 pm

Dutchman and JimH,
Thanks for the replies and link to the Suzuki thread. If kids weren't skiing and pulling tubes, etc., I would happily go for a smaller motor. Speed is not as much a factor as having enough torque to pull skiers and tubes with a couple of people in the boat; would happily spring for an E-Tec 40, but it weighs 240 lbs. vs. the Yamaha at 214 lbs., compared to my old Merc at 177 lbs. Wish I could still buy a new, old school 40 two stroke.

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Re: 13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby jimh » Fri Jul 22, 2016 8:55 am

For pulling up skiers the E-TEC may be best.

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Re: 13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby jimh » Sun Jul 24, 2016 7:06 am

Here is a comparison between the E-TEC 40 and a Yamaha F40:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuwmcvnRVss

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dg22
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Re: 13-footer Re-power with 40-HP

Postby dg22 » Wed Jul 27, 2016 12:24 am

Check out the E-TEC 30. It is light weight and has lots of torque for a 30 hp.

http://www.evinrude.com/en-au/engines/etec_inlines/etec_30_inline

I'm also looking to re-power. I currently have a 1973 50 hp Evinrude. I use my boat mostly for pulling the kids knee boarding, tubing and skiing so I'm also looking for something that has good torque. I don't want anything more than the weight that I have now which is 187 pounds. I personally think anything heavier than 190 pounds is too much for the older 13 footers -- just my opinion. Also, with power trim available on the E-TEC 30 which I don't have now will also be helpful for water sports.

Here is a video of a guy with a E-TEC 25 short shaft on a boston whaler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0wl9UkiY3U