Power for a 170-MONTAUK - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: The Whaler GAM or General Area
  Power for a 170-MONTAUK

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Power for a 170-MONTAUK

floridasailor posted 11-30-2002 11:23 PM ET (US)
My wife and I are interested in a new Moutauk 170 for use a coach- and photo-boat for small sailboat races. Use would entail high-speed runs to sailing area but a lot of idle and boat positioning near the sailboat racers. Comments on the stock 90-HP 2-cycle would be appreciated.
latourfiveo posted 12-01-2002 03:08 AM ET (US)
floridasailor,
I bought a 170 in August with a 90 hp 2 stroke Merc. While I feel that the power is sufficient for planing and top speed, I don't like the way the engine idles at slow/no speed, (real rough). I've heard that "thats just Mercury" but I swear that sometimes it sounds like its going to kill. I haven't had the engine long enough to give a good review of it, (27 hours on the engine), but I've always been an OMC man an I guess I'm a little prejudiced. GREAT BOAT though!!!
L50
1stwhaler posted 12-01-2002 11:55 AM ET (US)
Sailor, I have about 10 hours on my new 170 with a 90-HP 2-stroke. The main reason I went with the 2-stroke was it was about $2000 cheaper and I wanted the xtra power for waterskiing, etc. (I am sure the 4 stroke would have no problem pulling a skier) So far I am very happy with it, it does run rough up to 2000 RPM (I think it runs on 2 cylinders up to that point). You also might need extra fuel capacity depending on how far you go; the two 6.5-gallon tanks are not enough for me. I just ordered a Pate 27 gallon. Good luck. I am very happy.
boxers posted 12-11-2002 11:04 PM ET (US)
Once you try a 4-stroke on the back you will love it. Very quiet and smooth. Your fuel will last longer and no ploom of smoke when you start and idle. See if the dealer will let you demo a 90 four stroke for comparison. Just my 02 cents.
jimh posted 12-12-2002 12:02 AM ET (US)
Re: alleged rough idle of Mercury 90-HP 2-stroke at less than 2000-RPM being due to operation on only two of the three cylinders:
I haven't heard of this in connection with the 3-cylinder/90-HP outboard. I believe this is done on the 4-cylinder/115-HP outboard. That engine changes from 2- to 4-cylinders at about 2000 RPM from what I am told.
Does your owner's manual specifically state this is happening?
Clark Roberts posted 12-12-2002 06:08 AM ET (US)
The 3 cyl merc 90 idles on all three cyls (not two like the 4 cyl version which idles on two-very nicely) and adjustment of the three "idle/air needle valves" is in order. This has been discussed in detail recently (several times) on this forum!!! After about 50 hrs adjust or have it done and the motor will idle like a dream. This is not a "just Mercury" thing but applies to Bombers, Yamahas and all with adjustable idle air! If you can't find the past discussions on this I will go through the drill again! Happy Whalin'.. Clark.. Spruce Creek Navy
weekendwarrior posted 12-12-2002 09:04 AM ET (US)
Go 4-stroke, you won't regret it. Especially if you're going to be idleing a lot. Not only will you be smoke free, but all those people near you in the sail boats will appreciate it as well. Going 4-stroke was the best upgrade I ever made.
For the rough idle question, have you synchronized the carbs? If they get out of sync then that can definitely give you a rough idle as some cylinders will be working harder than others at idle.
jimh posted 12-12-2002 09:19 AM ET (US)
There are many comments about the performance of the 90-HP Mercury 2-stroke engine on Boston Whaler boats, but they are located in the forum "Classic Whaler; Performance; What Prop, What Motor..Works Best?"
See http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001266.html for a discussion of this exact engine and how well it idles.
John W posted 12-12-2002 09:39 AM ET (US)
My father had the Merc 90 2 stroke on his 17' and it ran great, but I agree with others here...you should go with a 4 stroke for what you want to do. A 4 stroke will be MUCH more quiet & smooth at idle speeds, you'll be able to "coach" without yelling over the motor. It will also be MUCH more fuel efficient at idle speeds, with less smoke as well.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

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: Power for a 170-MONTAUK
floridasailor	posted 11-30-2002 11:23 PM ET (US) My wife and I are interested in a new Moutauk 170 for use a coach- and photo-boat for small sailboat races. Use would entail high-speed runs to sailing area but a lot of idle and boat positioning near the sailboat racers. Comments on the stock 90-HP 2-cycle would be appreciated.
latourfiveo	posted 12-01-2002 03:08 AM ET (US) floridasailor, I bought a 170 in August with a 90 hp 2 stroke Merc. While I feel that the power is sufficient for planing and top speed, I don't like the way the engine idles at slow/no speed, (real rough). I've heard that "thats just Mercury" but I swear that sometimes it sounds like its going to kill. I haven't had the engine long enough to give a good review of it, (27 hours on the engine), but I've always been an OMC man an I guess I'm a little prejudiced. GREAT BOAT though!!! L50
1stwhaler	posted 12-01-2002 11:55 AM ET (US) Sailor, I have about 10 hours on my new 170 with a 90-HP 2-stroke. The main reason I went with the 2-stroke was it was about $2000 cheaper and I wanted the xtra power for waterskiing, etc. (I am sure the 4 stroke would have no problem pulling a skier) So far I am very happy with it, it does run rough up to 2000 RPM (I think it runs on 2 cylinders up to that point). You also might need extra fuel capacity depending on how far you go; the two 6.5-gallon tanks are not enough for me. I just ordered a Pate 27 gallon. Good luck. I am very happy.
boxers	posted 12-11-2002 11:04 PM ET (US) Once you try a 4-stroke on the back you will love it. Very quiet and smooth. Your fuel will last longer and no ploom of smoke when you start and idle. See if the dealer will let you demo a 90 four stroke for comparison. Just my 02 cents.
jimh	posted 12-12-2002 12:02 AM ET (US) Re: alleged rough idle of Mercury 90-HP 2-stroke at less than 2000-RPM being due to operation on only two of the three cylinders: I haven't heard of this in connection with the 3-cylinder/90-HP outboard. I believe this is done on the 4-cylinder/115-HP outboard. That engine changes from 2- to 4-cylinders at about 2000 RPM from what I am told. Does your owner's manual specifically state this is happening?
Clark Roberts	posted 12-12-2002 06:08 AM ET (US) The 3 cyl merc 90 idles on all three cyls (not two like the 4 cyl version which idles on two-very nicely) and adjustment of the three "idle/air needle valves" is in order. This has been discussed in detail recently (several times) on this forum!!! After about 50 hrs adjust or have it done and the motor will idle like a dream. This is not a "just Mercury" thing but applies to Bombers, Yamahas and all with adjustable idle air! If you can't find the past discussions on this I will go through the drill again! Happy Whalin'.. Clark.. Spruce Creek Navy
weekendwarrior	posted 12-12-2002 09:04 AM ET (US) Go 4-stroke, you won't regret it. Especially if you're going to be idleing a lot. Not only will you be smoke free, but all those people near you in the sail boats will appreciate it as well. Going 4-stroke was the best upgrade I ever made. For the rough idle question, have you synchronized the carbs? If they get out of sync then that can definitely give you a rough idle as some cylinders will be working harder than others at idle.
jimh	posted 12-12-2002 09:19 AM ET (US) There are many comments about the performance of the 90-HP Mercury 2-stroke engine on Boston Whaler boats, but they are located in the forum "Classic Whaler; Performance; What Prop, What Motor..Works Best?" See http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001266.html for a discussion of this exact engine and how well it idles.
John W	posted 12-12-2002 09:39 AM ET (US) My father had the Merc 90 2 stroke on his 17' and it ran great, but I agree with others here...you should go with a 4 stroke for what you want to do. A 4 stroke will be MUCH more quiet & smooth at idle speeds, you'll be able to "coach" without yelling over the motor. It will also be MUCH more fuel efficient at idle speeds, with less smoke as well.