posted 11-07-2004 01:04 PM ET (US)        

I considered a BUNCH of motors: The Big Yamaha 4-strokes were expensive and, as usual, there was limited availability. There were NO new, late-model Yamahas available. The Mercury Optimax motors were available, and priced well when compared to most new-model-year four-stroke alternatives. The Suzukis were relatively inexpensive, and they got good performance reviews, but there was limited availability, and very poor regional dealer support. The last OMC support in the area evaporated this year when the last hold-out dealer carrying their products finally threw in the towel in favor of Mercury.

The best deal for me? Hondas. The local Honda/Yamaha/Mercury marina had a pair of new 2003 Honda 225s. Retail on the pair was $35,400 ($17,500 plus $17,900 for the counter-rotating motor) + props ($750) + gauges ($1200) + rigging components ($1200) + two mechanic days for rigging ($1120). The grand total at retail was $39,670. I paid $32,000 for the motors installed with stainless props, smart gauges, and all the rigging. Yes, it’s a lot of money, but I really love this boat. There were many motor options in that price range, but none with an equivalent combination of performance, fuel economy, warranty support, regional dealer support, reputation, and quiet operation.

My wife and I are refinishing the interior with new head-liner, upholstery, and fixtures. I am refinishing the teak on the cabin doors. Janis is sending the OEM graphics. A new heavy rub rail is in the works, as is a new cover for the T-top, a new console cover, and a new windlass. She’s going to be very close to perfect by the time summer rolls around, so I feel better about the painfully expensive repower.

posted 11-10-2004 03:18 PM ET (US)         

I note that you didn't even mention the Verados.

I just returned from a short trip to SE Florida, and already saw at least 4 boats repowered with Verado 250's and 275's, including a BW 28 Conquest. The tall, thin shape makes them really attractive on a boat.

The dealership that repowered a Fountain with a pair of 275 Verados, told me the package installed price was $30K.

I have an advertisement I cut out, on my desk right now, selling 250 Suzuki's for $13000 each. I also saw a Fountain repowered with a pair of those, and they are quite large, almost exactly the size of the Verados, but wider, with a huge engine mounting bracket. The Mercury mechanic I talked to was telling me they are evidently the best of the non-supercharged 4-strokes. Time will tell, I guess.

posted 11-11-2004 03:32 AM ET (US)            

The Stevens prices on the 275 Verado are $17,500 and $17,700 (CR) - and that's without props, controls, gauges, or installation (and those things all cost a LOT). Given the demand for these motors, I can't imagine how or why any dealer would sell them at the price you were quoted. In fact, the price you were quoted is substantially less than Ed's charges for the old-technology Mercury 225 4-stroke!

The Honda price I found was better than anything I could find in my national internet search. Without the fancier $600 gauges, my installed price quote on the Hondas is $31,500, including stainless props, the binnacle, cables, and gauges. That puts the motor cost at roughly $14,000 each. That's a good price for Honda 225s - even in Miami. And I don't have to pay any sales tax here :-)

The local Suzuki price was significantly better. The quote on a pair of 225s was $27,500 installed. Unfortunately, our Suzuki parts and dealer support here is very weak. Honda also has a superior regional reputation. I think that's a function of their long-standing domination of our small kicker market.

Small Hondas have been the premiere kicker of choice out here for almost 20 years, and they have performed exceptionally well. Their elevated used values reflect that sustained dominance. (As a side note, when I worked at the boat manufacturer we packaged many boats with small 9.9 HP Honda, Mercury and Yamaha kickers - all wonderful little four-stroke motors. At the time, Hondas were about $1900, Yamahas about $1800, and Mercs less than $1600. In spite of Mercury's price advantage, customers ordered Hondas and Yamahas at a rate of about 7 or 8 to 1 over the Mercurys, and Hondas were favored significantly over the Yamahas.) This popularity argues persuasively for Honda if the price and performance of the competition are comparable.

If the Suzuki dealer had been large, strong, and well supported, I probably would have pulled the trigger on a pair of Suzuki 250s. It wasn't, so it was hard to turn away from the Hondas.

posted 11-12-2004 09:39 AM ET (US)            

Interestingly, the local Merc dealer wouldn't quote me a firm price on the labor as he has yet to repower a boat with a Verado and figured there would be difficulties.

posted 11-20-2004 03:02 AM ET (US)            

New Honda's on my old baby, she is going to be soooo happy!!!

I am really stoked you like the boat, please send me pictures when you are done. You and the wife seem to be doing everything I dreamed of on the boat, it will be one of the nicest in the country, imho, when you guys are done with her.

What are you doing with the old motors, binnacle, those 4 bladed props I loved so much? Are they for sale? Please let me know!

posted 11-20-2004 08:19 PM ET (US)            

I spent the better part of Friday sweating and cussing in the cabin, pulling the interior apart. I hope to have the new headliner in by the end of the week.

We're also replacing the cushions with a new type of furniture-quality, porous foam that will not hold water. (If you pour a glass of water on it the water will run right through and out the other side, so wet clothing and towels will not bother the stuff at all.) My wife is recovering all of the new cushions in a furniture fabric made by Sunbrella.

The Yamaha 200s are for sale on a MARKETPLACE thread, with your great props and all the gauges, cables, and controls (I’m keeping the hydraulic steering system.) If I sell those motors I’ll have the last of the money I need to finish off the job!