posted 02-07-2007 11:23 PM ET (US)        

1989 18 Outrage, two batteries in console, anchor, 30 gallons fuel, myself 160 lbs., friend 165lbs.

Engine:
2007 Suzuki DF150 Four Stroke, Displacement 2867 cc, Weight 474 Lbs., Gear ratio 2.50:1, 25 inch shaft, Mounted 2 holes up, Full Throttle Operating Range 5000-6000 RPM, Three hours on engine.

MPH Measurement made using Garmin GPS 478.

This test was done in fresh water, no wind, water like glass, air temperature 60 degrees

Propeller: Suzuki 3 X 23 X 16 stainless steel

This was the propeller my dealer suggested I try first. I think it will be the one I keep. He said the engine will pick up some RPM after break in and I may want to try different pitch prop then.

Full throttle 5500 RPM 47.1 MPH
Taken two directions and averaged.

I think this prop is pretty close, but possibly a 22 inch pitch prop might be better the way I use my boat. I don’t really need any more top end speed. Any thoughts on that?

The engine is smooth from idle all the way up to full throttle and very, very, quiet. My friend asked me, as he was pushing us off from the dock, “Did you start the engine?” It also has a very strong mid-range power band. I experienced no cavitation and no ventilation, but I think I will have to run offshore to find out if that will happen.

I was also concerned about the extra weight of the engine, but at rest there’s no water in the splash well. So, I guess I’m okay there.

So for the short time I have had this engine, I AM PLEASED, I LIKE IT.

hookum
Hope there picture work.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319/jkingalbum/MYBOAT022.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319/jkingalbum/MYBOAT016.jpg

posted 02-07-2007 11:39 PM ET (US)            

Are you running a stainless prop?
If so , did you notice any vibration at idle in gear?
Or was it smooth as silk which [I] imagine it is, as [I] had a Suzuki before.

posted 02-08-2007 12:10 AM ET (US)            

Yes at idle you can't hardly determine if it is running, no vibration at all. When fishing I do a lot of trolling so that was very important to me.

The prop is a Stainless Suzuki 3X23X16 Prop.

I have been reading about the problem with your engine. I hope everything works out OK, and I'm sure it will. Honda makes a good product and I'm sure they will make it good.

Good Luck,

posted 02-08-2007 12:12 AM ET (US)            

If you can turn 5500 RPM with the 23 pitch prop, a 22 inch prop would probably get you to around 5700 RPM. That is assuming you use the same make and model 3 blade prop.

posted 02-08-2007 12:29 AM ET (US)            

Thanks for the kind words. I am so happy with this engine and this boat I can't hardly wait to give it a sea trial.

I was thinking that the 22 inch pitch prop might be better because generally I have a lot more weight in the boat, more people, ice chests, Etc.

However this engine seems to have a lot of power and possibly that may not be a concern with the 23 inch pitch prop.

Jim

posted 02-08-2007 12:43 AM ET (US)            

I am in Texas and fish offshore in the Gulf.

I can plane at a very slow speed and stay on plane without having to play with the throttle like I had to do on my 1989 140 Johnson.

Yes it does have a lot of mid-range power.

The dealer did the rigging. I was going to do the rigging myself but the dealer made me a good deal on the rigging so I backed out at the last minute.

I purchased the engine in Texas and got I think a better or equal price as Ed's by the time you figure all of the rigging. I had to have all new controls.

posted 02-08-2007 10:18 AM ET (US)            

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319/jkingalbum/MYBOAT016.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319/jkingalbum/MYBOAT025.jpg

That is an exquisite example of a classic Outrage 18. Nicely done.

I presume the propeller you are running is Suzuki's three blade 23" x 16" part # 99105-00800-23P. The next smaller pitch prop in this line is the 21-1/2" x 16", part # 99105-00800-215.

An alternative Suzuki prop to try would be their 23" x 14-3/4" part # 990C0-0083L-23P. This prop having a slightly smaller diameter would allow the RPM to climb a little bit while maintaining the pitch and top speed would likely climb too.

posted 02-08-2007 11:42 AM ET (US)            

I did not purchase the fuel monitor because I'm not really sure I would have a need for it except to determine at what RPM I am getting my best mileage. After that I'm not sure I would ever look at it again.

I just run whatever the seas will allow at a comfortable speed and the gas comsumption is so much better than the engine I am replacing that I'm not worried about it.

posted 02-08-2007 12:44 PM ET (US)            

Here are a couple of pictures before and after.

This engine used the same motor mount holes that my prevous engine used.

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319/jkingalbum/MYBOAT.jpg

http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319/jkingalbum/DSCN2233.jpg

Hope this helps.

Tom,

Thanks for making my pictures easier to view. How did you do that? I seem to have a problem posting them.

Thank you for the complement on my boat.

I will try those props. I thought the next step down from a 23 Pitch would be a 22 so thats good information. That 21 1/2 X 16 might just be the one. That might get me up to about 5700 or 5800 RPM?

This engine has a lot of mid-range power, I was pleasantly surprised because I thought it might not have a lot of mid- range power being a four stroke. Even with the 23 pitch prop it is amazing.

jim

posted 02-08-2007 02:10 PM ET (US)            

I had asked that same question a while back when I was working on my boat and saw some boats like mine with three drain holes in the splashwell.

I was told that they manufactured some with two and some with three.
I don't know when that change came about or why.

posted 02-08-2007 02:25 PM ET (US)            

Truthfully, I'd guess it happened as Whaler recognized so few were putting twins on the boat, that interference was less important than some production cost savings.

posted 02-12-2007 08:52 PM ET (US)            

I have ordered the same motor and will be repowering my 1971 Outrage in a few weeks. I'm glad to hear that you are pleased with this motor.

Great looking boat!

posted 02-13-2007 12:25 PM ET (US)            

I think you are really going to like that engine. I can't hardly wait to get mine broken in. It takes me a while to get 20 to 30 hours on that engine.

After I get it broken in and finish propping I will tow it to the Gulf for some sea trials.

posted 02-28-2007 03:01 PM ET (US)            

I have nine hours on my engine now and it seems to be getting stronger and stronger.

I am running my boat on a small lake that is constant level because most of our large lakes are so low the ramps are out of the water. When I reach W.O.T. I have to shut it down because I am almost to the other side of the lake.

Everything is the same on this test except only one person in the boat, me.

Prop is the same Suzuki 3x16x23
Wind 10mph
Very small chop
Air temp 70 degrees
1/2 tank fuel

650 RPM: 2.8 MPH
1000 RPM: 4.7 MPH
1500 RPM: 7.3 MPH
2000 RPM: 12.5 MPH
2500 RPM: 20.0 MPH
3000 RPM: 28.1 MPH
3500 RPM: 33.3 MPH
4000 RPM: 39.1 MPH
4500 RPM: 43.0 MPH
5000 RPM: 46.1 MPH
5500 RPM: 49.5 MPH

My top speed picked up but RPM stayed the same. Not sure why. My guess is one less passenger and playing with the trim a little more. ( I did hit 50 MPH one time one way)

The engine on this boat really works well.

I will post another report when completly broken in and also with a different prop. I think I am going to purchase a 3x16x21.5 for a spare.

hookum

posted 02-28-2007 06:54 PM ET (US)            

I'll tell you though,It keeps my full undivided attention when running close to that 50 MPH.

posted 02-28-2007 09:06 PM ET (US)            

From looking at the numbers it looks like its up on plane at about 2200-2500. Thats some great low end power. That sounds like quite a fun ride.

posted 02-28-2007 09:28 PM ET (US)            

2.5:1 gear ratio. Do the math.

posted 02-28-2007 10:00 PM ET (US)            

If I went with a Stiletto Advantage II 14-1/4" x 24 would my mid-range be better or worse or about the same?

Would it be as good in heavy following seas as a 16 inch prop.?

Do you think that I would see a gain of about 200 RPM? I think I should be at about 5800 or 5900 RPM W.O.T. with very littl weight in the boat like I am testing it.

Lots of questions.

Thanks,

posted 02-28-2007 10:18 PM ET (US)            

Any suggestions as to prop on my 1971 Outrage with the same DF150 motor? Sorry to hijack the thread but I could use some help on this topic.

I'm using the Suzuki 3x15.25x19 now, and with only 2 hours on the motor I'm hitting 6000rpm's with full tanks & 4 people on board. I'm thinking that I'll need a different prop to kep it under 6000 rpm as the motor gets broken in. The dealer tried the 3x16x21.5 and felt it was too much prop, turning 5600-5800 with empty tanks and a light load.

I can swap what I have for another Suzuki prop - the dealer suggested 3x16x20; other options might be the 4x15x20 or 3x14.75x21. The 4 blade will cost me more, though.

I don't care much about top speed. I would like to stay on plane at the lowest speed possible, and to pop up on plane quickly. But I do care about speed & fuel efficiency at 3000-4000rpm's. Anyone have any prop suggestions?

hookem, have you noticed steering pull or a list to port using the 16" prop? I have read of some people having these issues with the big Suzuki props. I noticed steering pull last weekend on mine, but I haven't yet adjusted the trim tab on the motor.

Thanks

posted 02-28-2007 10:32 PM ET (US)            

No I don't have a fuel flow meter.

John W

Yes I did have a pull to port. I adjusted my trim tab and it solved the problem.

posted 02-28-2007 11:17 PM ET (US)            

You have mail.

posted 03-01-2007 09:23 AM ET (US)            

RPM___MPH__GPH__MPG__RANGE__dB

IDLE__2.7__0.20_13.50__413__53

1000__4.2__0.50__8.30__254__60

1500__6.0__1.05__5.71__175__66

2000__7.4__1.90__3.87__118__69

2500_15.5__3.15__4.90__150__74

3000_23.9__4.15__5.75__176__76

3500_28.8__5.55__5.19__159__77

4000_33.8__7.20__4.69__143__79

4500_39.0__9.15__4.26__130__80

5000_44.1_11.50__3.83__117__85

5500_50.0_12.55__3.96__121__88

If we assume the fuel burn numbers from this test report are 1) accurate and 2) the same for Hookum, then Hookum's fuel economy would appear as follows:

650 RPM: 2.8 MPH 14 MPG
1000 RPM: 4.7 MPH 9.4 MPG
1500 RPM: 7.3 MPH 7.0 MPG
2000 RPM: 12.5 MPH 6.6 MPG
2500 RPM: 20.0 MPH 6.3 MPG
3000 RPM: 28.1 MPH 6.7 MPG
3500 RPM: 33.3 MPH 6.0 MPG
4000 RPM: 39.1 MPH 5.4 MPG
4500 RPM: 43.0 MPH 4.7 MPG
5000 RPM: 46.1 MPH 4.0 MPG
5500 RPM: 49.5 MPH 3.9 MPG

These are excellent efficiency numbers for classic 18 Outrage.

posted 03-01-2007 01:30 PM ET (US)            

Next time out I will double check those numbers for back up just to be sure.

posted 03-02-2007 11:43 AM ET (US)            

I meant that literally.

The DF150 has a 2.5:1 gear ratio and using Jim's Propeller Calculator, http://continuouswave.com/cgi-bin/propcalc.pl we see that at 6000 RPM and a more typical 10 percent slip (which I am guessing will result from the drop to a more appropriate diameter) and an anticipated 48 MPH top speed, the calculated pitch is about 24".

posted 03-07-2007 11:52 PM ET (US)            

I'm about to repower my Classic 18 Outrage (1986) but plan to use the 175 instead of the 150. My insurance company has approved, and the engine is identical to the 150 as far as I can tell, excepting the extra 25 ponies and what I'm guessing is a 'software' change. Maybe they make some other 'breathing' changes (intake/exhaust/timing)?

posted 03-08-2007 01:25 AM ET (US)            

We did just that...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/yeahtoast02/IMG_1823.jpg

I justified it by saying that the 175 was the cheapest 25hp motor I've ever bought (right at an extra $500).

posted 03-08-2007 10:41 AM ET (US)            

I surely don't need more top speed and the mid-range power I think may be close to the same. I would like to see a horsepower graph on both engines.

However, I think you will be happy with the DF150 or the DF175 on that boat.

hookum

posted 03-15-2007 02:03 PM ET (US)            

I took these numbers again two directions and averaged. Wind 3 MPH, 65 degrees. All weights in boat the same.

The mid-range power on this engine is impressive. It doesn't seem to working hard at all and is so smooth.

I am sure there will be a difference when the boat is loaded with more people, ice chests, Etc.

I will report again when completly broken in and after I run some sea trials.

The lake is getting a little boring.

hookum

posted 08-26-2007 12:27 AM ET (US)            

I have been so busy I had not been able to get down to the gulf until now. I still have less than 30 hours on my engine.

Offshore was a dream. Still running 16X23 prop. No porposing with engine tilt almost all the way down. Two days out fishing, seas first day two to three feet, wind 10 to 15 knots.

Coming in the second day we ran into a pretty big thunderstorm and it got a little lumpy. Had to go right through the middle.

What was really impressive to me was coming in with a fairly big following sea the engine would hold anywhere between 1500 to 3000 and never vary RPM. My old 140 Evinrude would never do that. It wanted to go slower than 1500 RPM or faster than 3000 RPM. Possibly all the new engines will do that.

Trolling is wonderful, you just can't hardly tell the engine is running. This engine is quiet.

To sum it up for me, I think the 18 Outrage and the DF150 Suzuki are a nice match.

hookum