posted 09-18-2014 09:15 AM ET (US) Hello all; new here. I am restoring a 1965 SAKONNET. It has a 1983 Johnson 70-HP that runs well, but it does not have power tilt and trim. As I have a shallow low-tide entrance to my dock, I need this. Any advice on adding a power trim and tilt kit to this engine or re-powering with perhaps a new E-TEC 90. The Boston Whaler factory advises keeping the engine weight below 330-lbs. I recently ran a vintage Montauk with a new Honda 90-HP, and it porpoised like crazy at mid-throttle. I want to make sure I do not over weight the transom on my boat. Any advice appreciated, and especially from anyone who has put an E-TEC on a vintage whaler.
frontier
posted 09-18-2014 03:59 PM ET (US)
I would find a good, used mid-1980's thru late-1990's 60-HP or 70-HP Johnson or Evinrude with power tilt. [There are] lots of them around, and they are one of the best series of outboards ever made. We restored a SAKONNET and found a 1996 Johnson 60-HP with power tilt. [It] worked great. The boat is so light weight a 60 or 70 is fine.
jimh
posted 09-18-2014 07:00 PM ET (US)
Many owners of classic 17-foot hulls have chosen an E-TEC 90-HP for a re-power engine.
mdono
posted 09-19-2014 12:12 PM ET (US)
My brother has a 1984 70 Johnson mounted on his 15' Whaler. He added a CMC trim/tilt device which optimized and already good set up. I can reccomend that product.
An E-TEC 90 would the best repower option in my humble opinion.
M
wwww
posted 09-21-2014 08:27 PM ET (US)
Thanks All. Appreciate the advice. I am leaning toward the addition of the trim/tilt since the 70hp Johnson os running very well.