posted 03-03-2006 11:08 AM ET (US)        

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I want to repower a 1987 Outrage with a four-stroke and do away with the current beast sitting on the transom (boat was purchased recently with a cooked 225 Johnson on it----eek). I got a price quote on the 140 Suzuki---out the door it will run me about 12.5K......I was told by several dealers that the level of torque that the 140 puts out is not significantly more than suzuki's 115 HP model due to the fact that they are basically the same motor (same block, just tweeked differently). This almost leads me to think that I may be able to run a single 115 HP outboard on this boat and be ok......I'm very worried about being underpowered, though. I don't need to do 40 knots. I just want to be able to cruise at 24 kts or so out to the tuna grounds and get decent fuel economy. Soooo, I'm hoping to get everyone's thoughts on what I can get away with regarding power.....Is the 115 Yamaha/Suzuki 4-stroke too small? Should I spend the extra dollar and get a 150 HP engine? Does anybody know if there will be a huge difference between the 115 HP Suzuki and the 140 HP Suzuki performance on this boat? Thanks!!

Chuck

posted 03-03-2006 11:43 AM ET (US)            

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With a classic 20-foot hull I would consider 140 to 150-HP the minimum when repowering. I'd look at 175 to 200-HP motors, too.

With lower horsepower you will have to move down in propeller pitch to a lower pitch, and your engine speed will increase. As a result you'll be running the smaller engine at higher speed. A larger engine can be run with a higher pitch propeller, allowing lower engine speeds at cruise. This often results in better fuel economy, as well as lower noise and better boat handling (because the bigger engine will run at a steady speed without gaining or loosing speed as the boat runs through waves).

posted 03-04-2006 09:37 AM ET (US)            

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I have been told the Suzuki 115 is a very strong 115, and the Suzuki 140 is a weak 140...some here have said it may only produce around 125 hp. I have no perspective on what power requirements your model will require...trust others here for that.

But 12.5K for a suzuki 140 installed is not a good price at all. I have been quoted $9k for the motor installed with controls, wiring harness & prop, and I don't consider that to be a screaming brgain. Ed's has quoted the 140 suzuki at as low as $7000, and others are quoting the motor for $7700, not installed.

I would think you would be able to get a 150 suzuki for 12.5K installed. The list price on the new Evinrude E-tec is 10.5K (not installed). Keep shopping. Look at Ed's, and also Custom Marine in Statesboro, Georgia, for some pricing indications.

posted 03-05-2006 11:27 AM ET (US)            

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I agree with Tom, it sounds like the Yammie four stroke will be a perfect fit for your needs.

The new Suzuki 150 four banger has big displacement AND relatively light weight, and appears to be 10 times the motor that the weak 140 is.

I would see if a Zuki 150 is available, and if not look into the Yamaha

posted 03-08-2006 01:09 PM ET (US)            

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I just called Ed's about the Suzuki, but the sales guy I spoke with said that Ed's doesn't carry Suzuki motors. If I can get the 140 for 7700 bucks (plus shipping to Southern California) I'd be interested in knowing who or what dealerships have quoted this price.

And the local price to get either a yamaha or suzuki product is ridiculous. Everything in San Diego seems to cost more than it does anywhere else. Just for reference, I was quoted at 13.5K for the Yamaha 150, and that does not include tax, installation or controls! Noooo, I'm not going to purchase a local motor, that's for certain. Ed's quoted me at 10K for the yamaha 150, plus about 500 dollars shipping.

posted 03-08-2006 02:36 PM ET (US)         

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With more than two people aboard, and with full fuel, a 115Hp 4-stroke by anybody will have a hard time planing off the boat. That situation you do not want in offshore heavy sea conditions.

If you want to go light on HP at 150, consider a 2-stroke DFI or Verado for better accleration. I know a place in FL that will ship you a Merc 150 Optimax for less than $9500, no sales tax and about $200 shipping charge.

With Ed's, their game is pick up $300 extra in selling price by calling it shipping and handling. But that Yamaha 150 price still sounds pretty good.

posted 03-08-2006 07:59 PM ET (US)            

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I may have been off somewhat on my pricing...but Ed's currently has a new, 2005 model Johnson 140 4 stroke, which is the same motor as the Suzuki 140 (made by Suzuki) with a white paint job, listed for $7,999, with warranty. They have several available at that price, but you would have to ship it to a BRP dealer & have them install it (at additional $$) in order to get a valid warranty. I have recently recieved two quotes for the Suzuki 140, installed with controls, multi-function tach & aluminum prop in the $9100 range (pre-tax). SS prop was $200 more.

THe E-tec 150, Yamaha F150, Honda 150 & Suzuki 150/175 will all be significantly more powerful, and significantly more expensive, than the Suzuki 140. Good luck in your search.

posted 03-08-2006 11:39 PM ET (US)            

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Hey Charlie,
You couldn't find a better price at the Fred Hall Show?
How about Allison Marine?

A buddy repowered his 18 Outrage in 2004 with a 140 Suzuki from Monterey Bay Marine. The motor was $8000. A few weeks back, a dealer in the North Bay had a 2005 115 for $8100, and a 140 for $7800. Both gone now.

On a 20, I would look at a 150 minimum. 175-200 better, as you can run them easier, and have power to spare on those glassy Southern Cal days you want to cool off.

FISHNFF

posted 03-09-2006 06:52 PM ET (US)         

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I think you've made a fine choice, for a good price. That motor is extremely popular, and a good performer, in spite of the trashing it got in Evinrude's infomercial. 4-strokes keep on selling in big numbers as the market share continues to increase.

What is interesting about outboard engines, is how prices vary, regardless of where the engine is made, or enters the country. How could a dealer on the east coast sell an imported Japanese engine that must have entered the country in CA, for so much less than a CA dealership? With Mercury, it's the same thing. The engines are made in northern WI, and you can buy them cheaper in Florida than you can in the Midwest

posted 03-09-2006 07:50 PM ET (US)            

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jimh, I can only assume that the boat was propped wrong or there was something wrong with the motor. A 17 foot anything should have no problem whatsoever planing with a 115 hp anything, four people included. Suzuki tests show the 115 pushing a 19 foot Sea Pro to 43 mph. This is the first report that I have heard of the suzuki 115 being anything but a strong motor, at least compared to other 115's.

Note that I'm not making any comment on the power requirements of an Outrage 20. But if someone's 17' is struggling to plane with a 115, something's wrong with the prop, the boat, or the motor.