posted 07-28-2011 12:07 PM ET (US)         

This discussion is about the cost of re-powering a 25' whaler hull? Well, in addition to my own experience as a 25 Owner, another boat owner neighbor of mine in FL just repowered a beautiful classic Contender 27 from Evinrudes to a pair of 175HP Suzuki 4-strokes. He paid 20 grand for the engines, RIGGED, and was given 2K for the pair of old Evinrude 150's, for a net of 18K. They are nice, and the boat runs over 50 MPH. Both of these examples show Dave's 30K repower estimate to be ridiculously high for those Evinrude 150's, which is why the Mercury Optimax division alone sells more engines than the entire production of Evinrude. Mercury and Suzuki dealers are being competitive, but certainly not giving away the engines. All outboards are extremely expensive to buy to anyway, so no use getting additionally taken for a ride.

posted 07-28-2011 07:03 PM ET (US)            

I will say this, however. Our market is still mostly free...which means that there is usually a good reason for why items cost what they do. It is up to the buyer to discern those reasons and fit them into their overall needs and budgets.

But, I will also note that I can get a hell of a deal on HORMEL SPAM...but I don't eat SPAM. If I buy it at a steep discount, but never eat it, is it a good deal?

posted 07-29-2011 12:04 AM ET (US)            

Larry is right the Optis are a good decision now they offer incredible power are light weight (good for classic whaler models) and are very fuel efficient. Yes they burn oil but reasonable imo. Four strokes have their perks but if you work it all out you might be surprised how little you really save.

For example: I may go through $150.00 oil for twin 225 Opti a season (6 months) I only have to change my lower end oil once a year thats it probably and its usually still clean. With four strokes I would have to pull the boat twice ($150 half lift) in that period at (80-90 hours) or twice a year They take far more liters of oil to fill the internal tanks then an Opti. I can get 1-2 liters I think Fours strokes are at least double that times two engine as well more frequent changing. Maintenance on two large four-strokes is just more money then equivalent to two strokes (Opti) Four strokes cost a hell of a lot more up front then two strokes etc. so really unless you are getting one heck of a savings in gas which I am sure one is not in comparison on MOST whalers I would not get too worked up in the hype which is all the Four strokes right now. They are quiet at idle not at wot and they seem to be very clean reliable engine they are good but don't get too worked up they are not head over heals better then modern two stokes Opti.

I can't wait to see what is offered in the next 10 years thats when we can bash Opti's and probably a Four stroke as well.

posted 07-29-2011 08:20 AM ET (US)            

I know that, hypothetically, a lot of hypothetical motors could have been purchased at hypothetically low prices to re-power Boston Whaler boats in which the actual owner bought an actual motor at an actual price. The hypothetical re-power always costs less, the hypothetical motor always goes faster, and the hypothetical motor always gets better fuel economy.

posted 07-29-2011 12:51 PM ET (US)         

[Cited] JAMESMYLESMCP [as having re-powered a boat with new Optimax engines.]

Also, last weekend in Door County, I saw a beautiful late 80's Outrage 20 repowered with a 175 Optimax, and also a very nice super consoled 22 with a 175 Optimax. If I see them again, I'll get you some photos.

I have no clue what you are talking about when you say classic Whalers are not re-powered with Optimax engines. I see a lot of them. Someone here also recently reported putting a 90 on a Montauk, and RIDGE RUNNER had a brother or something, who put a 115Pro-XS on a 170 Montauk. Even you were making fun of the "Pro-xs" designation. Peter said it would not run as fast as the 170 with a V-4 115HO Evinrdue, but it did, with only 3 cylinders!

Outside of the confines of Continuouswave included, I would guess there are more classic Whaler repowers with Mercs than Evinrudes. Unfortunately, collectively the Japanese engines probably win this one anyway.

I agree with Nick, a 150 is plenty of power for a '70's "Banana" Whaler. A 150 Optimax would be perfect for the boat!

I see from Marketplace, that [a particular outboard manufacturer] is now an advertiser on CW. But not many Whaler people here will buy the [the motor] they are currently pushing.

posted 08-02-2011 03:58 PM ET (US)            

I would likely also be happy with the performance of an Etec, Yamaha or Suzuki - I'm not a booster of any particular maker. But I thought it may be of interest to add a datapoint about a selection to repower with Optimax engines.

posted 08-02-2011 06:14 PM ET (US)         

As I said previoiusly, I still think the three Japanese brands, taken together, are the largest segment of BW re-powers, but Mercury very well could be more common than Evinrude. We want to think that every Whaler owner visits this site, but over the years I have come acrosss hundreds of Whaler owners who never heard of it. many of those have clearly re-pwered with Mercury from what I have seen.

posted 08-05-2011 01:07 AM ET (US)            

What brand & HP Outboard Motor should I re-power with.

I have owned Mercury, Tohatsu, Old Evinrude, New Evinrude (twin E-Tech 250's) & Yamaha Four Stroke Outboards.

J244466, the answer for you is very simple. Yes, money is a critical part of your re-power decision and it often is the main reason to direct us to one brand over another.

I made this mistake in selecting a 90HP Tohatsu to repower my 17' Montauk after the original 90HP 1986 Evinrude died. The Tohatsu (Nissan) was a decent motor once started, but I did have regular proceedures of starting the motor & warming up the engine block at which point, the motor ran fine. When the motor block was cold, it ran rough until the plugs heated up well enougfh to fire properly.

It no fun spending money or financing more than you expect, but you will end up LOVING your boat again with a new Yamaha outboard and for me on my old 17' Montauk, it was a difference of $2,000. I am sure that if I had spent the extra $2K, that I would have loved my Montauk as we took her out 35-40 miles regularly and when I see the size of those hulls I am proud that the boat cold handle such a trip offshore.

I have had a flawless ownership with my current, 1989, 25' Revenge with a single 2003 F-225 Yamaha four stroke and I simply love this Whaler because while I see all sorts of 21', 23' & 25' Parker boats around me, they lack the TRUE PERSONALITY that the older Whalers have in their hulls/souls and they all look the same while the Classic Whalers all stand out alone in a crowd.

J244466. Find the best power option for your hull & try to find a way to make it affordable & I guarantee you that you will LOVE your Whaler as long you take care of your Yamaha & make sure to stay well ahead of all fluid/anode changes, and add dry fuel storage fluids & ring free to keep the motor running in top form. Don't skimp on Yahmaha motor products.

posted 08-07-2011 10:52 AM ET (US)            

The Yamaha dealer I previously used when I had Yamahas was anything but responsive, even when I brought the boat with the motor to the dealer to be serviced.