Thank you Bigshot and JB for your reviews and recommendations

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Author Topic:   Thank you Bigshot and JB for your reviews and recommendations

nevada posted 10-06-2003 01:32 PM ET (US)
Thank you Bigshot and JB for your reviews and recommendations. I finally got the opportunity to run my new DF70. What a fantastic motor it is. Starts on the first crank, quiet as a church mouse, and runs forever on little fuel.
JBCornwell posted 10-07-2003 07:41 AM ET (US)
Glad you got it, Nevada.
It is a new experience after getting used to more typical outboards, isn't it?
Red sky at night. . .
JB
Bigshot posted 10-07-2003 11:11 AM ET (US)
One more "X" on my Computer monitor. How many "converts" do we have on this site now JB? Has to be close to a dozen now with the 70 4stroke here.
Nevada.....it just gets better, especially when you are at the ramp or a restaurant and you pull away and people gasp because they never knew it was running. Also gets better when you run ALL weekend on 12 gallons of gas instead of 2 hourswith the old 2 smoke(1 hour with my 225).
Kelly posted 10-07-2003 11:18 AM ET (US)
nevada,
Did you use a bracket of any type?
Kelly
Gep posted 10-07-2003 12:35 PM ET (US)
I gotta say those Suzuki's are nice.
I was pulling my boat out at the ramp last week and a guy was putting in his Lund with a brand new Suzuki 140hp.
I walked over and started talking with him.
I said I heard they are supposed to be really quiet and would he mind starting it up so I could hear it. He kinda grins and says it's running. Sure enough I go around the back of his boat and it was running indeed.
He said he got a great deal on it and held out for a 6 year warranty.
I could see one of those on the back of my 18' Outrage.
Capt_Tidy posted 10-07-2003 12:45 PM ET (US)
Same experience with new twin Suzuki 140s... I was shocked when the owner told me to wait until he shut them off before reeling in!
Found the engines... now looking for the boat!
David Jenkins posted 10-07-2003 04:33 PM ET (US)
I just returned from a 2-day, 220 mile trip on my 15' powered with the DF 70. I have not added fuel since returning so I do not know exactly how much fuel I burned (I will find out soon and post details). But the 42-gallon Pate tank looks to be about half full. So I burned about 21 gallons going 220 miles. In other wrods, I got about 10 miles to the gallon. I cruised at 4000 RPM (24 miles per hour).
Buckda posted 10-07-2003 09:48 PM ET (US)
Gep -
Got the 18 running again? Or were you in your 13?
Toad2001 posted 10-08-2003 12:44 AM ET (US)
David-
Is your 15' a classic or a Dauntless?
I assume my 15' 1989 GLS would not handle the weight of the 335# 70 horse DF70 4 stroke very well, or am I wrong?
David Jenkins posted 10-08-2003 12:51 AM ET (US)
It is a 1977 classic. I have a lot of weight forward, including the battery, new raised thwarts and console made of 5/4 mahogany, five padded seats with backs, etc.
I will email you a photo....
Gep posted 10-08-2003 08:49 AM ET (US)
Hey Dave,
I still haven't found a motor yet.
I was helping out another Whaler owner. He wanted to go pick up his 15' Standard from his cabin up North and didn't have a trailer, so I dropped my boat in the marina for a couple of days and let him use my trailer. When he got back I stripped his 15' down to the hull for him.
He gave me an old Johnson 70hp motor off of it for letting him use my trailer.
SWarren posted 10-08-2003 09:36 AM ET (US)
I now have 55 hours on my new twin 115 zuks and love them. I ran 108nm this weekend and only burned 1/4 tank. (129 gallon tank) I have run off shore 60 miles each way and burn about 1/2 the gas. I just wish we had more local dealers, I have to drive about an hour to get my boat serviced by the dealer I bought the motors from. He is very good, just a long way to go. I live in a coastal town so you would think there would be some larger dealers for suzuki, not just mom and pops.
And no water over the transom has not been an issue on my revenge.
Steve
nevada posted 10-08-2003 11:48 AM ET (US)
Kelly,
I used a CMC Powerlift four-inch setback bracket.
Joe
nevada posted 10-08-2003 12:05 PM ET (US)
Steve,
I understand your plight about nearby Suzuki dealers. My nearest is a five-hour trek to Santa Cruz Ca. Even with that, I am extremely happy with my Suzuki. I have a close friend in Wando S.C. you may want to visit. He is a Factory Authorized Suzuki dealer. Definitely a mom and pop operation, but I�m sure he can help you and save that long trip when he�s not fishing King tournaments.

Mike Rumph
Rumph Brothers Marine
2686 Hwy 41 North .
Wando S.C. 29492
843-849-8030
Joe
Bigshot posted 10-08-2003 12:25 PM ET (US)
Heck in 1981 when we bought our new 140hp Suzuki from a dealer in Brooklyn. NY(more like a lawn mower shop), there was not EVEN a dealer in the whole state of NJ. We would buy spark plugs and such by mail or at boat shows. Thank God it NEVER needed service in the 7-8 years we owned it.
whalerpoor posted 10-09-2003 01:51 PM ET (US)
This is probably a stupid question so please forgive me -
When I look at the Suzuki web site it says DF70/90. First what does the 90 stand for?
Secondly, what should I be paying for one of these motors?
Bigshot posted 10-09-2003 02:30 PM ET (US)
They make a DF70 and a DF90. The 90 is a 90hp. The 90 and 115 and 140 are almost identical. The 60 & 70 are identical except for the brain that makes the 60 a 70hp.
70's can be had for about $5k. Leftovers maybe $4600 and new $5400 so about $5k on avaerage. They "list" for like $8k but that is BS. Guy in NC was selling them here pretty cheap. Do a search and you may find the post from around August. Also check boattraderonline where he ran the ads as well. You work in the Carolinas so no biggie for ya.
litnin posted 10-09-2003 03:05 PM ET (US)
I also took the plunge on the DF 70 and appreciate all of Bigshot's and JB's input, insight and experience. I only have 10 hours on it but is seems like a fine choice. The stern certainly sits lower than with my 87'90 v4! I still have to figure out the optimum prop for my setup and come up with the extra money to purchase a gel battery and proper cables in order to move the battery to the console. I opted for the 4" manual jackplate.
After suggesting to the dealer that I was concerned about the engine having enough power to pull a skier, he delivered it with a stainless 14" pitch prop which I have yet to try. Think that I will trade it back in to him for a 18" and buy a 15" pitch composite Compprop for pulling a skier since it will be used more now for cruising around rather than skiing. Has anyone used a 14" pitch on a DF70 before? Want to try it but don't want to ding it if I'm going to trade it in for a 18" Any suggestions appreciated.
Chris
Bigshot posted 10-09-2003 03:52 PM ET (US)
14"....no way. try the 18", you might be surprised. I have an 18" and it pulls pretty good. The 17" I ran would be enough to pull anyone out being she would break redline with light load. Get a 17" comprop, the 4 blade 17" comprop I have as a spare will break redline with a heavy load, those comprops do not bite well.
nevada posted 10-09-2003 03:56 PM ET (US)
whalerpoor
www.walshmarine.com has a 2002 df70 liisted on his website for 5300.00 I'm sure he'll come off of that quite a bit. I paid 4900.00,and at that time he said that he had 40 units in stock.
Joe
Bigshot posted 10-10-2003 11:26 AM ET (US)
That's them, I know someone who got him down to about $4500 I believe.
nevada posted 10-10-2003 12:35 PM ET (US)
Nick,
I got my zuki by accident. My wife and I had discussed putting a four-stroke on the Whaler so we could take the family out on Lake Tahoe. We had agreed to make it happen for the fourth of July 2004 fireworks show.
One afternoon, just for the heck of it, I searched e-bay for Suzuki outboards. I came up with Walsh Marine�s auction. Minimum bid was $4900.00. There were no bids, and the auction was scheduled to end the next morning at 5:21 am PST.
Out of curiosity, I set my alarm clock for 5:00 am. I got up and logged on. There were still no bids. I was still half-asleep. My mouse had been resting on the �submit bid button� for a few minutes. With just seconds left in the auction, I accidentally clicked the button and submitted a $4900.00 bid.
Needless to say, I was early for work that morning, and worried how to break the news to my wife that I had just spent five-grand about eight months early. I went home for lunch and with help of the Reference section on re-power, I told my wife what I had done. I showed her that 8300.00 retail listed, and to my surprise she simply smiled, and said �does this mean we can take it out on Tahoe now?�

Joe
Florida15 posted 10-11-2003 07:01 PM ET (US)
Does that $4,900 price include the controls ? If not, what would they add to the price ?
Am I understanding correctly that they also make a 60 ? Does it weigh the same as the 70 ? What about cost ?
Sorry about 20 questions but it sounds like a great motor.
I never really considered Suzuki before reading this thread.
nevada posted 10-12-2003 03:21 PM ET (US)
Florida15
No prop or controls, just a tach, battery cables and steering link. I bought a Suzuki control box kit with engine harness, ignition switch, kill switch, and binnacle. I also bought a fuel separator/filter, control cables, and stainless 13 � x18 prop and a four-inch manual Powerlift bracket for $800.00 including some express shipping from the east coast. You get a whole lot of engine harness (21 feet) and not enough battery cable (7feet). Not a very difficult self install with a Cherry picker.
Joe
Bigshot posted 10-13-2003 10:44 AM ET (US)
60 is identical with the 70. The only difference is the computer which redlines the 60 at 5300 compared to 5800. It probably changes the torque curve, etc. On the 17', get the 70 and easier to find.

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Author	Topic: Thank you Bigshot and JB for your reviews and recommendations
nevada	posted 10-06-2003 01:32 PM ET (US) Thank you Bigshot and JB for your reviews and recommendations. I finally got the opportunity to run my new DF70. What a fantastic motor it is. Starts on the first crank, quiet as a church mouse, and runs forever on little fuel.
JBCornwell	posted 10-07-2003 07:41 AM ET (US) Glad you got it, Nevada. It is a new experience after getting used to more typical outboards, isn't it? Red sky at night. . . JB
Bigshot	posted 10-07-2003 11:11 AM ET (US) One more "X" on my Computer monitor. How many "converts" do we have on this site now JB? Has to be close to a dozen now with the 70 4stroke here. Nevada.....it just gets better, especially when you are at the ramp or a restaurant and you pull away and people gasp because they never knew it was running. Also gets better when you run ALL weekend on 12 gallons of gas instead of 2 hourswith the old 2 smoke(1 hour with my 225).
Kelly	posted 10-07-2003 11:18 AM ET (US) nevada, Did you use a bracket of any type? Kelly
Gep	posted 10-07-2003 12:35 PM ET (US) I gotta say those Suzuki's are nice. I was pulling my boat out at the ramp last week and a guy was putting in his Lund with a brand new Suzuki 140hp. I walked over and started talking with him. I said I heard they are supposed to be really quiet and would he mind starting it up so I could hear it. He kinda grins and says it's running. Sure enough I go around the back of his boat and it was running indeed. He said he got a great deal on it and held out for a 6 year warranty. I could see one of those on the back of my 18' Outrage.
Capt_Tidy	posted 10-07-2003 12:45 PM ET (US) Same experience with new twin Suzuki 140s... I was shocked when the owner told me to wait until he shut them off before reeling in! Found the engines... now looking for the boat!
David Jenkins	posted 10-07-2003 04:33 PM ET (US) I just returned from a 2-day, 220 mile trip on my 15' powered with the DF 70. I have not added fuel since returning so I do not know exactly how much fuel I burned (I will find out soon and post details). But the 42-gallon Pate tank looks to be about half full. So I burned about 21 gallons going 220 miles. In other wrods, I got about 10 miles to the gallon. I cruised at 4000 RPM (24 miles per hour).
Buckda	posted 10-07-2003 09:48 PM ET (US) Gep - Got the 18 running again? Or were you in your 13?
Toad2001	posted 10-08-2003 12:44 AM ET (US) David- Is your 15' a classic or a Dauntless? I assume my 15' 1989 GLS would not handle the weight of the 335# 70 horse DF70 4 stroke very well, or am I wrong?
David Jenkins	posted 10-08-2003 12:51 AM ET (US) It is a 1977 classic. I have a lot of weight forward, including the battery, new raised thwarts and console made of 5/4 mahogany, five padded seats with backs, etc. I will email you a photo....
Gep	posted 10-08-2003 08:49 AM ET (US) Hey Dave, I still haven't found a motor yet. I was helping out another Whaler owner. He wanted to go pick up his 15' Standard from his cabin up North and didn't have a trailer, so I dropped my boat in the marina for a couple of days and let him use my trailer. When he got back I stripped his 15' down to the hull for him. He gave me an old Johnson 70hp motor off of it for letting him use my trailer.
SWarren	posted 10-08-2003 09:36 AM ET (US) I now have 55 hours on my new twin 115 zuks and love them. I ran 108nm this weekend and only burned 1/4 tank. (129 gallon tank) I have run off shore 60 miles each way and burn about 1/2 the gas. I just wish we had more local dealers, I have to drive about an hour to get my boat serviced by the dealer I bought the motors from. He is very good, just a long way to go. I live in a coastal town so you would think there would be some larger dealers for suzuki, not just mom and pops. And no water over the transom has not been an issue on my revenge. Steve
nevada	posted 10-08-2003 11:48 AM ET (US) Kelly, I used a CMC Powerlift four-inch setback bracket. Joe
nevada	posted 10-08-2003 12:05 PM ET (US) Steve, I understand your plight about nearby Suzuki dealers. My nearest is a five-hour trek to Santa Cruz Ca. Even with that, I am extremely happy with my Suzuki. I have a close friend in Wando S.C. you may want to visit. He is a Factory Authorized Suzuki dealer. Definitely a mom and pop operation, but I�m sure he can help you and save that long trip when he�s not fishing King tournaments. Mike Rumph Rumph Brothers Marine 2686 Hwy 41 North . Wando S.C. 29492 843-849-8030 Joe
Bigshot	posted 10-08-2003 12:25 PM ET (US) Heck in 1981 when we bought our new 140hp Suzuki from a dealer in Brooklyn. NY(more like a lawn mower shop), there was not EVEN a dealer in the whole state of NJ. We would buy spark plugs and such by mail or at boat shows. Thank God it NEVER needed service in the 7-8 years we owned it.
whalerpoor	posted 10-09-2003 01:51 PM ET (US) This is probably a stupid question so please forgive me - When I look at the Suzuki web site it says DF70/90. First what does the 90 stand for? Secondly, what should I be paying for one of these motors?
Bigshot	posted 10-09-2003 02:30 PM ET (US) They make a DF70 and a DF90. The 90 is a 90hp. The 90 and 115 and 140 are almost identical. The 60 & 70 are identical except for the brain that makes the 60 a 70hp. 70's can be had for about $5k. Leftovers maybe $4600 and new $5400 so about $5k on avaerage. They "list" for like $8k but that is BS. Guy in NC was selling them here pretty cheap. Do a search and you may find the post from around August. Also check boattraderonline where he ran the ads as well. You work in the Carolinas so no biggie for ya.
litnin	posted 10-09-2003 03:05 PM ET (US) I also took the plunge on the DF 70 and appreciate all of Bigshot's and JB's input, insight and experience. I only have 10 hours on it but is seems like a fine choice. The stern certainly sits lower than with my 87'90 v4! I still have to figure out the optimum prop for my setup and come up with the extra money to purchase a gel battery and proper cables in order to move the battery to the console. I opted for the 4" manual jackplate. After suggesting to the dealer that I was concerned about the engine having enough power to pull a skier, he delivered it with a stainless 14" pitch prop which I have yet to try. Think that I will trade it back in to him for a 18" and buy a 15" pitch composite Compprop for pulling a skier since it will be used more now for cruising around rather than skiing. Has anyone used a 14" pitch on a DF70 before? Want to try it but don't want to ding it if I'm going to trade it in for a 18" Any suggestions appreciated. Chris
Bigshot	posted 10-09-2003 03:52 PM ET (US) 14"....no way. try the 18", you might be surprised. I have an 18" and it pulls pretty good. The 17" I ran would be enough to pull anyone out being she would break redline with light load. Get a 17" comprop, the 4 blade 17" comprop I have as a spare will break redline with a heavy load, those comprops do not bite well.
nevada	posted 10-09-2003 03:56 PM ET (US) whalerpoor www.walshmarine.com has a 2002 df70 liisted on his website for 5300.00 I'm sure he'll come off of that quite a bit. I paid 4900.00,and at that time he said that he had 40 units in stock. Joe
Bigshot	posted 10-10-2003 11:26 AM ET (US) That's them, I know someone who got him down to about $4500 I believe.
nevada	posted 10-10-2003 12:35 PM ET (US) Nick, I got my zuki by accident. My wife and I had discussed putting a four-stroke on the Whaler so we could take the family out on Lake Tahoe. We had agreed to make it happen for the fourth of July 2004 fireworks show. One afternoon, just for the heck of it, I searched e-bay for Suzuki outboards. I came up with Walsh Marine�s auction. Minimum bid was $4900.00. There were no bids, and the auction was scheduled to end the next morning at 5:21 am PST. Out of curiosity, I set my alarm clock for 5:00 am. I got up and logged on. There were still no bids. I was still half-asleep. My mouse had been resting on the �submit bid button� for a few minutes. With just seconds left in the auction, I accidentally clicked the button and submitted a $4900.00 bid. Needless to say, I was early for work that morning, and worried how to break the news to my wife that I had just spent five-grand about eight months early. I went home for lunch and with help of the Reference section on re-power, I told my wife what I had done. I showed her that 8300.00 retail listed, and to my surprise she simply smiled, and said �does this mean we can take it out on Tahoe now?� Joe
Florida15	posted 10-11-2003 07:01 PM ET (US) Does that $4,900 price include the controls ? If not, what would they add to the price ? Am I understanding correctly that they also make a 60 ? Does it weigh the same as the 70 ? What about cost ? Sorry about 20 questions but it sounds like a great motor. I never really considered Suzuki before reading this thread.
nevada	posted 10-12-2003 03:21 PM ET (US) Florida15 No prop or controls, just a tach, battery cables and steering link. I bought a Suzuki control box kit with engine harness, ignition switch, kill switch, and binnacle. I also bought a fuel separator/filter, control cables, and stainless 13 � x18 prop and a four-inch manual Powerlift bracket for $800.00 including some express shipping from the east coast. You get a whole lot of engine harness (21 feet) and not enough battery cable (7feet). Not a very difficult self install with a Cherry picker. Joe
Bigshot	posted 10-13-2003 10:44 AM ET (US) 60 is identical with the 70. The only difference is the computer which redlines the 60 at 5300 compared to 5800. It probably changes the torque curve, etc. On the 17', get the 70 and easier to find.