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  New Power for 66' 13ft

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Author Topic:   New Power for 66' 13ft
Sweet Pea posted 01-01-2002 03:48 PM ET (US)   Profile for Sweet Pea   Send Email to Sweet Pea  
Just purchased a 1966 13ft. w/orig.66' 33hp Johnson super seahorse w/cable steering. Motor runs but is very tired. We've looked at new power and steering options, but are unsure what hp,weight,and shaftlength we need to buy. Any suggestions will be helpful.
JohnAz posted 01-01-2002 06:30 PM ET (US)     Profile for JohnAz  Send Email to JohnAz     
re ring the old 33 and keep the whole thing stock as an antique,,those old engines are verry east to rebuild if it hasn't been in salt water,,,
dscew posted 01-01-2002 06:34 PM ET (US)     Profile for dscew    
Your choice depends on your use. For my money, I'd buy a 30 HP Mercury 4 stroke engine and have Teleflex no feedback steering installed. This will update your boat to this century with a low-pollution, very quiet engine with no oil mixing, and it will also keep a classic look to the boat. Also helps for resale down the road if that's part of the long term.
JBCornwell posted 01-01-2002 06:38 PM ET (US)     Profile for JBCornwell  Send Email to JBCornwell     
Ahoy, Sweet Pea.

Your Whaler (you can't just say "boat" when it's a Whaler) originally had a 15" transom (many have been modified to 20") and was rated for a max of 40hp. In those days that meant less than 200# on the transom.

I have had a couple of 13s and found that ideal (to me) compromise of agility, balance and performance came with 25hp OMC engines. I had a top speed of about 25 with three aboard and could cruise all day at 20.

If I had a 13 today, I would be looking at Honda or Yamaha 4 stroke 25s, and a conversion to a Teleflex NFB steering system.

The cable and pulley steering is reliable, but loose compared to the Teleflex and difficult to adapt to new engines.

Have fun with that boat, it is a great li'l Whaler.

Red sky at night. . .
JB :)

CarlRobert posted 01-01-2002 07:02 PM ET (US)     Profile for CarlRobert    
Sweat Pea,

I have a 1962-13 Sport. I installed a new Mercury 4-stroke 40 hp 20" shaft motor last spring. I also upgraded from cable/pulley steering to NFB Teleflex.

I used CMC vertical extensions to accomodate the 20" shaft motor. So far I am very pleased with the set-up. The motor is heavy at 212 pounds (w/o oil). I have power tilt & trim which is a very nice feature. I had to buy a 4-stroke because 2-stroke outboards in the midrange hp's are no longer available in CA.

Since you live in NC, which may not have any restrictions on 2-strokes in the near future, you can purchase several good 15" shaft 2-strokes, Nissan, Johnson, Yamaha, Merc etc. that will suit your needs. The 2-strokes seem to be approximately 20-40 lbs lighter than the 4-strokes and a lot cheaper. Personally, even if I could buy a new 2-stroke in CA, I'd still go with the 4-stroke. It's quiet and clean.

dscew advised a Merc 30 4 stroke. For a few hundred $$ more, you can buy a 40 hp Merc 4 stroke. The 30's and 40's weigh the same. A 30 hp Merc 4 stroke is simply a de-tuned 40 hp.

With the 40 4 stroke Merc the stern of my Whaler sits a little low. So far I have had only a few episodes where water has washed over the transom when I slowed too fast or backed in rough seas.

Like I mentioned, I wouldn't change a thing with my set-up. I use the boat for fishing, tubing, water skiing with kids, and general cruising. I have seen Sport 13's with 25 hp 4 strokes and admire the perfect static trim and balanced appearance...

Hope this helps. I finally have access to a digital camera. If you'd like, I could e-mail you some pics of my set-up this Fri/Sat. It's raining in the CA Bay Area now plus I don't have time to take them until then. You'll see the boat, motor with vertical extensions, prop and teleflex steering.

Carl R

andygere posted 01-02-2002 12:21 PM ET (US)     Profile for andygere  Send Email to andygere     
Look at the Tohatsu/Nissan 2-stroke 40 hp. It's light, well priced and available in a 15 inch shaft with power tilt and trim. I think it's the best available new replacement motor for a notch transom 13.
Bigshot posted 01-02-2002 03:26 PM ET (US)     Profile for Bigshot  Send Email to Bigshot     
There is a guy on E-bay with new 25hp Suzuki 4 strokes for $2400? Try a search under suzuki outboards.
maverick posted 01-02-2002 07:22 PM ET (US)     Profile for maverick  Send Email to maverick     
this link is quite interesting, too for what appears to be great prices! http://www.boatmotors.com/rebuilt_outboard_motors/
WHALERROB posted 01-02-2002 08:51 PM ET (US)     Profile for WHALERROB  Send Email to WHALERROB     
I HAVE A 1967 WHALER AND I JUST REPOWERED THIS SUMMER WITH A 2002 25 HP 2 STROKE MERC AND I COULD NOT MORE SATISFIED. 31 MPH ON THE GPS WITH A LIGHT LOAD AND ONLY ABOUT 2300.00

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