What would you repower with ? - Classic Whaler Forum

  Classic Whaler Forum
  Classic Whaler: General
  What would you repower with ?

profile | register | faq

Author Topic:   What would you repower with ?

newportguy posted 09-04-2002 06:17 PM ET (US)
A friend of mine wants to repower is 18 foot Outrage. Presently he has a 140 Johnson on it but the motor is a 1982 and blew a piston. He has decided to repower. With a maximun rating of 150 hp. how would you go and why... Thanks all for your insight. Larry
jimh posted 09-04-2002 06:26 PM ET (US)
Twin 75-HP EFI 4-strokes
whalersman posted 09-04-2002 07:04 PM ET (US)
150 HP Evinrude FICHT.... (Bombardier)
Why? I am not totally sold on 4 strokes yet. The Ficht engines run clean and are very efficient. Twins would be nice but maybe twice the headaches and expense.
lhg posted 09-04-2002 07:18 PM ET (US)
Assuming he wants to stay with a single, Merc 2-stroke 150 EFI will give him great performance per price. Johnson 150's are good also, but not EFI. If he wants to go "clean", the Opti, Ficht or HPDI 150's would be fine. As for 4-strokes right now, Suzuki 140 or Merc/Yam 115 seem like the best on the market. Honda 130 not recommended because of it's carb technology and huge size & price.
If he can live with 40-42 MPH, I'd go with the Merc/Yam 115 EFI. This will eliminate the oil tank from the splashwell.
JBCornwell posted 09-04-2002 07:30 PM ET (US)
I agree with Larry, but don't overlook the Suzuki 115 EFI.
Like the Merc and Yammy 115 EFI The Suzi is smooth, quiet and torquey (is that a real word?).
My first recommendation: Suzi/Johnson DF140.
Red sky at night. . .
JB :)
tabasco posted 09-04-2002 08:06 PM ET (US)
I myself would go with the Suzuki 140. My only advice to you is to make sure there is a dealer near by for service & parts.
It's unbelieveable to me that this boat is only 12 inches longer than the montauk 170 and weighs about the same and has an additional 60 Hp rating. 150HP vs 90 HP .......Whaler you make no sense.
newportguy posted 09-04-2002 08:29 PM ET (US)
Does Johnson make a 140 four stroke....I have not see one yet or heard about it.
Peter posted 09-04-2002 08:46 PM ET (US)
My recommendation, as always, is to put maximum rated power on the transom. In view of this here's what I recommend:
In the most bang for the buck category:
1st Choice: Johnson 150 because its torqy, fast, cheap (under $10k list price), simple technology (carb'd induction), lightest (375lbs).
2nd Choice: Either (a) Yamaha 150 because its cheap (under $10k list price), simple technology (carb'd induction), Yamaha's reliable reputation, or (b) Mercury 150 SW because its the cheapest (under $9k list price), simple technology (carb'd induction). I lean towards Yamaha because of general reliability reputation and personal experience with one.
In the environmentally friendly 2-stroke category:
1st Choice: Evinrude 150 Ficht because of the low end torque, lightest weight of all DFIs, and belief that Ficht problems on the 150s have been overcome.

2nd Choice: Yamaha 150 HPDI because of Yamahas reputation (can't give it a first choice rating because this engine is a beast at 466 lbs.)
3rd Choice: Mercury 150 Optimax due to the general Optimax product and service reputation, which is in need of improvement in my opinion.
In the 4-stroke category:
Only choice: Suzuki DF 140 4-stroke because it is light weight. Honda 130 is more expensive, needs EFI and needs to go on a diet in my opinion.
In the twins category:
I'm torn between the Merc 75 Classic (generous displacement, but heavy at 305 lbs) and the Yamaha 70 (small displacement, but light weight at 228 lbs). While it is true that the Outrage 18 was designed for twins, I don't think it was designed for twins that weigh over 300lbs each. So the Merc 75 Classic is really pushing the transom weight limit in my opinion. On the other hand, I wonder whether one of the two small displacement Yamaha 70s would be capable of of getting the Outrage on a plane.
No 4-strokes make the twins grade because they weigh too much and cost too much.
Overall: If it were my 18 Outrage, the Johnson 150 would get the job.

raygun posted 09-04-2002 09:12 PM ET (US)
How bout the 135 Ficht Evinrude? save a little dough over the 150 and I bet it would be plenty of power
masbama posted 09-04-2002 10:12 PM ET (US)
Raygun speaks the truth.
PSW posted 09-05-2002 12:26 AM ET (US)
I just sold my Montauk recently and am shopping for a 18 Outrage myself and have wondered about the power options. I went to a big whaler/mercury dealer today and looked at 2 Outrages. Both were haggard. Lots of good Mercury knowledge was obtained though. First off my sister has a 17 Outrage II w/ 150 Opti and outside a couple recalls it runs like a dream. One of the Outrages had no power and I was talking with the dealer whom I have dealt with before and he said the 2003 Opti's are supposed to be flawless. The engineer's claim they will idle like a kitten and hum at top end. Turn key every time. Also they are the cheapest of all the Direct Injection brands, atleast here in the Northwest. Look at the 150 Opti.
PSW
Tom Byrum posted 09-05-2002 01:11 AM ET (US)
Twin Yamaha 90s at 261# each would be the perfect setup I think. Twin 70s are fine if 40-42 is acceptable. Great mileage for twins and a great handeling package. It will plane just fine on one engine. I think mine used to do 28 on one engine and I think it was on plane at 16 or so.
raygun posted 09-05-2002 02:03 AM ET (US)
jimh recommending 4 strokes?
Wouldn't two smaller motors be alot more expensive than one in intial cost and upkeep?
Only problem I see with deciding over the 150 Johnson or the 135/150 Evinrude is finding a knowledgeable dealer. The Bomb product is fantastic and the FICHT bugs are worked out, but at least here in the NW nobody knows a darn thing about them. If he is going to really use it and has the dough, the Evinrude is the sweetest way to go. The Johnson will be cheaper and man do I love my new 2003 so far. Ask masbama how he likes his 2002 Bomb. PLUS! He can probably keep his controls if they are in good shape. 1000+/- bucks right there. Peter's first two first choices (not to knock his following ones) are founded on good research and logic. It's a boat. It needs an outboard. Tell him outboard motors are 2 strokes. my .02

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to Classic Whaler Website

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: What would you repower with ?
newportguy	posted 09-04-2002 06:17 PM ET (US) A friend of mine wants to repower is 18 foot Outrage. Presently he has a 140 Johnson on it but the motor is a 1982 and blew a piston. He has decided to repower. With a maximun rating of 150 hp. how would you go and why... Thanks all for your insight. Larry
jimh	posted 09-04-2002 06:26 PM ET (US) Twin 75-HP EFI 4-strokes
whalersman	posted 09-04-2002 07:04 PM ET (US) 150 HP Evinrude FICHT.... (Bombardier) Why? I am not totally sold on 4 strokes yet. The Ficht engines run clean and are very efficient. Twins would be nice but maybe twice the headaches and expense.
lhg	posted 09-04-2002 07:18 PM ET (US) Assuming he wants to stay with a single, Merc 2-stroke 150 EFI will give him great performance per price. Johnson 150's are good also, but not EFI. If he wants to go "clean", the Opti, Ficht or HPDI 150's would be fine. As for 4-strokes right now, Suzuki 140 or Merc/Yam 115 seem like the best on the market. Honda 130 not recommended because of it's carb technology and huge size & price. If he can live with 40-42 MPH, I'd go with the Merc/Yam 115 EFI. This will eliminate the oil tank from the splashwell.
JBCornwell	posted 09-04-2002 07:30 PM ET (US) I agree with Larry, but don't overlook the Suzuki 115 EFI. Like the Merc and Yammy 115 EFI The Suzi is smooth, quiet and torquey (is that a real word?). My first recommendation: Suzi/Johnson DF140. Red sky at night. . . JB :)
tabasco	posted 09-04-2002 08:06 PM ET (US) I myself would go with the Suzuki 140. My only advice to you is to make sure there is a dealer near by for service & parts. It's unbelieveable to me that this boat is only 12 inches longer than the montauk 170 and weighs about the same and has an additional 60 Hp rating. 150HP vs 90 HP .......Whaler you make no sense.
newportguy	posted 09-04-2002 08:29 PM ET (US) Does Johnson make a 140 four stroke....I have not see one yet or heard about it.
Peter	posted 09-04-2002 08:46 PM ET (US) My recommendation, as always, is to put maximum rated power on the transom. In view of this here's what I recommend: In the most bang for the buck category: 1st Choice: Johnson 150 because its torqy, fast, cheap (under $10k list price), simple technology (carb'd induction), lightest (375lbs). 2nd Choice: Either (a) Yamaha 150 because its cheap (under $10k list price), simple technology (carb'd induction), Yamaha's reliable reputation, or (b) Mercury 150 SW because its the cheapest (under $9k list price), simple technology (carb'd induction). I lean towards Yamaha because of general reliability reputation and personal experience with one. In the environmentally friendly 2-stroke category: 1st Choice: Evinrude 150 Ficht because of the low end torque, lightest weight of all DFIs, and belief that Ficht problems on the 150s have been overcome. 2nd Choice: Yamaha 150 HPDI because of Yamahas reputation (can't give it a first choice rating because this engine is a beast at 466 lbs.) 3rd Choice: Mercury 150 Optimax due to the general Optimax product and service reputation, which is in need of improvement in my opinion. In the 4-stroke category: Only choice: Suzuki DF 140 4-stroke because it is light weight. Honda 130 is more expensive, needs EFI and needs to go on a diet in my opinion. In the twins category: I'm torn between the Merc 75 Classic (generous displacement, but heavy at 305 lbs) and the Yamaha 70 (small displacement, but light weight at 228 lbs). While it is true that the Outrage 18 was designed for twins, I don't think it was designed for twins that weigh over 300lbs each. So the Merc 75 Classic is really pushing the transom weight limit in my opinion. On the other hand, I wonder whether one of the two small displacement Yamaha 70s would be capable of of getting the Outrage on a plane. No 4-strokes make the twins grade because they weigh too much and cost too much. Overall: If it were my 18 Outrage, the Johnson 150 would get the job.
raygun	posted 09-04-2002 09:12 PM ET (US) How bout the 135 Ficht Evinrude? save a little dough over the 150 and I bet it would be plenty of power
masbama	posted 09-04-2002 10:12 PM ET (US) Raygun speaks the truth.
PSW	posted 09-05-2002 12:26 AM ET (US) I just sold my Montauk recently and am shopping for a 18 Outrage myself and have wondered about the power options. I went to a big whaler/mercury dealer today and looked at 2 Outrages. Both were haggard. Lots of good Mercury knowledge was obtained though. First off my sister has a 17 Outrage II w/ 150 Opti and outside a couple recalls it runs like a dream. One of the Outrages had no power and I was talking with the dealer whom I have dealt with before and he said the 2003 Opti's are supposed to be flawless. The engineer's claim they will idle like a kitten and hum at top end. Turn key every time. Also they are the cheapest of all the Direct Injection brands, atleast here in the Northwest. Look at the 150 Opti. PSW
Tom Byrum	posted 09-05-2002 01:11 AM ET (US) Twin Yamaha 90s at 261# each would be the perfect setup I think. Twin 70s are fine if 40-42 is acceptable. Great mileage for twins and a great handeling package. It will plane just fine on one engine. I think mine used to do 28 on one engine and I think it was on plane at 16 or so.
raygun	posted 09-05-2002 02:03 AM ET (US) jimh recommending 4 strokes? Wouldn't two smaller motors be alot more expensive than one in intial cost and upkeep? Only problem I see with deciding over the 150 Johnson or the 135/150 Evinrude is finding a knowledgeable dealer. The Bomb product is fantastic and the FICHT bugs are worked out, but at least here in the NW nobody knows a darn thing about them. If he is going to really use it and has the dough, the Evinrude is the sweetest way to go. The Johnson will be cheaper and man do I love my new 2003 so far. Ask masbama how he likes his 2002 Bomb. PLUS! He can probably keep his controls if they are in good shape. 1000+/- bucks right there. Peter's first two first choices (not to knock his following ones) are founded on good research and logic. It's a boat. It needs an outboard. Tell him outboard motors are 2 strokes. my .02