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Author Topic:   1998 17' Outrage II Re-Power

VETETR posted 06-05-2006 05:18 PM ET (US)
The time has come to re-power my 1998 17 Outrage II. The original outboard was a 1998 Merc Offshore 115. I've been shopping around and have found some great deals on non-current Johnson 140HP 4-Strokes (Suzuki made) engines.
How will the back-end of the Whaler handle the increase in weight of about 70-lbs?
What kind of acceleration could expect?
I have also seen some leftover 2005 Mercury 115 but they seem not to be saltwater versions. Of course another Mercury motor would be a lot cheaper; I can use the same gauges and controls.
I use the boat in Port Charlotte, Florida, for fishing the saltwater canals, the outer Gulf islands, and for pulling tubes and skiers. I have a one-hour long idle zone to get out into the harbor, and I thought a four-stroke would be great for that. I guess I could also bolt on a 15-HP kicker. I also I was also thinking of going to a four-balde SS prop like Stiletto. What do you think?
Buckda posted 06-05-2006 05:29 PM ET (US)
I'd consider the Mercury OptiMax or the Evinrude E-TEC, but I'm a fan of keeping two-stroke motors on the boat.
If you are concerned about the weight of a four-stroke, put 70-lbs of "whatever" back in the stern of the boat and drive around with that for a while. That will give you a sense of how it will handle the weight.
Re: online "deals" on motors. Take a minute to look up the BBB records for each company. At least one mentioned here has good ratings, and at least one other (listed above) has a negative rating from the local BBB.
If you're not offshore and not doing a lot of trolling, the kicker is an weighty and expensive option for the 1 hour of idling, especially when motors like the OptiMax and E-TEC tolerate idling so very well.
Good luck, and have fun!
VETETR posted 06-05-2006 05:59 PM ET (US)
So what would you think of an Optimax 150 on this boat?
Buckda posted 06-05-2006 06:32 PM ET (US)
I think a 150 OptiMax on this boat would be a great matchup. The boat would scream, for sure.
I had a standard 1986 150 Merc (carburetor) on my 18' Outrage and it ran hard!
The only reasons I chose E-TEC over OptiMax for my twin engine modification/re-power were the battery requirements for OptiMax (which had to do with how I wanted to use the boat), and the added benefit of the CARB rating on the smaller E-TEC vs. the smaller OptiMax. (90 HP motors).
The 150 OptiMax should be a great combination - especially for your stated use of the boat. The two-stroke torque curve is great for water skiing and tubing, and in the no-wake zone it should be quiet and smoke-free (I'm talking about the NEW OptiMax motors now..."The Next Generation".
Re: your stated use as a family recreation vessel. the one caveat I have is battery requirements for OptiMax, which are significant. You should consider having two batteries aboard - one for the motor, the other for the "house" load...especially if you listen to the radio, etc while beached, or for extended usage of electronics/navigation lights at night in no-wake zones. I don't have hard data on hand, but anecdotal reports indicate that the engine can actually be a net-LOSS of current at idle with strong electronics/accessory usage.
My solution, if that is the case, is to allow the motor to idle at your dock or at the ramp with lights off after your return trip for about 5-10 minutes...enough time to go get the trailer/truck, etc before retrieval. This should float that battery back up. YOu can also use a $12 float charger when not using the boat to keep the battery strong.
Good luck.
Dave
prm1177 posted 06-05-2006 06:40 PM ET (US)
My former Outrage II 17 had an Opti 135 on it. With the engine mounted at the correct height (2 holes up) and a 17 pitch Vengeance SS prop, I could run at around 47 mph, trimmed out. Either the Opti 135 or 150 and/or the E-Tec 150 would be great matches.
Royboy posted 06-05-2006 09:37 PM ET (US)
I've got a 135 Optimax on my Outrage 17 and it's got power to spare. It planes in a little over its length, but not much. I get around 45 mph trimmed with a 19" pitch SS prop.
Roy
VETETR posted 06-06-2006 06:59 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the advise -- I'm looking at a leftover 2005 Optimax 150 will a 20" shaft work on my boat or do I need a 25"?
Royboy posted 06-06-2006 10:47 PM ET (US)
Mine's a 25", but it looks to be mounted a couple of inches high. I'll try to remember to check my manual.
Roy

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Author	Topic: 1998 17' Outrage II Re-Power
VETETR	posted 06-05-2006 05:18 PM ET (US) The time has come to re-power my 1998 17 Outrage II. The original outboard was a 1998 Merc Offshore 115. I've been shopping around and have found some great deals on non-current Johnson 140HP 4-Strokes (Suzuki made) engines. How will the back-end of the Whaler handle the increase in weight of about 70-lbs? What kind of acceleration could expect? I have also seen some leftover 2005 Mercury 115 but they seem not to be saltwater versions. Of course another Mercury motor would be a lot cheaper; I can use the same gauges and controls. I use the boat in Port Charlotte, Florida, for fishing the saltwater canals, the outer Gulf islands, and for pulling tubes and skiers. I have a one-hour long idle zone to get out into the harbor, and I thought a four-stroke would be great for that. I guess I could also bolt on a 15-HP kicker. I also I was also thinking of going to a four-balde SS prop like Stiletto. What do you think?
Buckda	posted 06-05-2006 05:29 PM ET (US) I'd consider the Mercury OptiMax or the Evinrude E-TEC, but I'm a fan of keeping two-stroke motors on the boat. If you are concerned about the weight of a four-stroke, put 70-lbs of "whatever" back in the stern of the boat and drive around with that for a while. That will give you a sense of how it will handle the weight. Re: online "deals" on motors. Take a minute to look up the BBB records for each company. At least one mentioned here has good ratings, and at least one other (listed above) has a negative rating from the local BBB. If you're not offshore and not doing a lot of trolling, the kicker is an weighty and expensive option for the 1 hour of idling, especially when motors like the OptiMax and E-TEC tolerate idling so very well. Good luck, and have fun!
VETETR	posted 06-05-2006 05:59 PM ET (US) So what would you think of an Optimax 150 on this boat?
Buckda	posted 06-05-2006 06:32 PM ET (US) I think a 150 OptiMax on this boat would be a great matchup. The boat would scream, for sure. I had a standard 1986 150 Merc (carburetor) on my 18' Outrage and it ran hard! The only reasons I chose E-TEC over OptiMax for my twin engine modification/re-power were the battery requirements for OptiMax (which had to do with how I wanted to use the boat), and the added benefit of the CARB rating on the smaller E-TEC vs. the smaller OptiMax. (90 HP motors). The 150 OptiMax should be a great combination - especially for your stated use of the boat. The two-stroke torque curve is great for water skiing and tubing, and in the no-wake zone it should be quiet and smoke-free (I'm talking about the NEW OptiMax motors now..."The Next Generation". Re: your stated use as a family recreation vessel. the one caveat I have is battery requirements for OptiMax, which are significant. You should consider having two batteries aboard - one for the motor, the other for the "house" load...especially if you listen to the radio, etc while beached, or for extended usage of electronics/navigation lights at night in no-wake zones. I don't have hard data on hand, but anecdotal reports indicate that the engine can actually be a net-LOSS of current at idle with strong electronics/accessory usage. My solution, if that is the case, is to allow the motor to idle at your dock or at the ramp with lights off after your return trip for about 5-10 minutes...enough time to go get the trailer/truck, etc before retrieval. This should float that battery back up. YOu can also use a $12 float charger when not using the boat to keep the battery strong. Good luck. Dave
prm1177	posted 06-05-2006 06:40 PM ET (US) My former Outrage II 17 had an Opti 135 on it. With the engine mounted at the correct height (2 holes up) and a 17 pitch Vengeance SS prop, I could run at around 47 mph, trimmed out. Either the Opti 135 or 150 and/or the E-Tec 150 would be great matches.
Royboy	posted 06-05-2006 09:37 PM ET (US) I've got a 135 Optimax on my Outrage 17 and it's got power to spare. It planes in a little over its length, but not much. I get around 45 mph trimmed with a 19" pitch SS prop. Roy
VETETR	posted 06-06-2006 06:59 PM ET (US) Thanks for the advise -- I'm looking at a leftover 2005 Optimax 150 will a 20" shaft work on my boat or do I need a 25"?
Royboy	posted 06-06-2006 10:47 PM ET (US) Mine's a 25", but it looks to be mounted a couple of inches high. I'll try to remember to check my manual. Roy