posted 07-26-2015 08:28 AM ET (US)        

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I would love opinions [from] owners of the classic Outrage 25 WD in terms of the performance characteristics of the boat with a single 250 on it. A Revenge 25 WD would also be of interest..

Let's assume the boat is used for cruising and fishing. Given the weight of 3600-lbs plus fuel and motor, it would appear that 250-HP from a modern four-stroke-power-cycle outboard engine would be plenty to cruise at 28-MPH and to fish. But real world experiences are what I am interested in hearing about.

I recognize I could put a 300-HP engine on the back but, I am hoping to avoid this, unless I can be convinced that the boat will be really under-powered. I also recognize that I could put twins on the back but the modern four-cycle engines appear to be too heavy for that option. Twin 200's gets one up to about 1,100 lbs. I would also like to avoid the extra maintenance costs. Thanks--Stephen

posted 07-26-2015 10:17 AM ET (US)            

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Stephen--we had a 1988 Revenge Walk-Thru with a Yamaha OX66 250hp. This boat had the STANDARD Transom. The boat ran and handled fantastic. Cruising speed was between 23 and 30-MPH, and topped out about 40 to 42-MPH, depending upon conditions.

If I were to re-power, and considering it had a Whaler Drive, my opinion is that it would need a 300-HP to compensate for the Whaler Drive. Good choices available: 300 E-TEC (my first choice), 300 Yamaha, 300 Suzuki, 300 Verado (my last choice). I know the E-TEC is NOT a 4-stroke, but I have an E-TEC 30 on our 13 Super Sport, and love it. Plus, a friend has a 23 Grady Gulf Stream (very heavy and wide) with the 300 E-TEC replacing a OX66 250, and he LOVES it. They idle nearly as quiet as the four-cycle engines, have no smoke, have better acceleration, and have less maintenance. But [the choice] all depends on the dealership network near you.

posted 07-26-2015 10:55 PM ET (US)            

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Similar discussion:

http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/008178.html

posted 07-26-2015 11:02 PM ET (US)            

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My vote would be a single Evinrude G2 250-300hp. Power and great fuel mileage.

Can't go wrong with that single setup.

I ended up with 2 e-tec 2.6l v6 units but it was not my first choice.

posted 07-27-2015 10:38 PM ET (US)            

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For your reference

These are Jamie's performance numbers with a Suzuki 300
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/007215.html

posted 07-28-2015 02:49 PM ET (US)            

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MACFAM writes:

quote:

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...considering it had WD, MY OPINION is that it would need a 300hp to compensate for the WD.

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It is better to look at a 25-foot hull with a Whaler Drive as a 27.5-foot hull. That is why you need more horsepower. The boat has more hull in the water, and that is because the boat is longer.

posted 07-28-2015 11:09 PM ET (US)            

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While the addition of a Whaler drive does indeed add two feet to the Outrage 25's length, it is nothing like the same-length Whaler 27 which is 2 feet wider and a thousand pounds heavier.

I expect an Outrage 25 Whaler Drive with a Honda BF250 to be good for 44 MPH.

Is that fast enough for you?

posted 07-31-2015 09:37 AM ET (US)            

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One big advantages of having a higher top speed is higher cruising speeds. Beside a rare short blast, I don't drive at WOT (6000+ rpm) or near WOT for any significant period of time. My boat top speed is 47-48mph and my cruise speeds at 3800-4200rpm are 27-34mph. A couple times I have wanted to get back quickly to avoid a quick moving storm and have bumped my rpm up to 4500 rpm.

The difference is a top speed of 38 to 44 mph is likely a 4 difference in cruise speed (assuming the same rpm.)

posted 08-04-2015 06:34 PM ET (US)            

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I had the opportunity to chat with one of the guys who helped design the WhalerDrive in Rockland in the 1980's. He did not want his name shared. His point of view is that a single large engine on a WhalerDrive makes sense for the 20' and perhaps the 22' but not the 25. He agrees that a single on the notched 25' Outrage makes sense but when you add the WhalerDrive the boat and drive really want twins. His suggestion is twin 150's. His thought is this is the best compromise for weight, horsepower, and performance.

Stephen

posted 08-05-2015 08:06 AM ET (US)            

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An Outrage 25 with a Whaler Drive is nearly a 27 foot boat. Single outboard on a 27 foot boat? Not for me.

I don't recall seeing a single picture in a Whaler brochure from that era showing an Outrage 25 WD powered by a single outboard.

posted 08-05-2015 10:42 AM ET (US)            

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I have had a 25 Outrage with twin 150 Mercury outboards and High Five props. That was the best combination for that boat here on the gulf coast as I could either take it offshore or shallow bay fishing. Offshore it always had great sea keeping abilities and inshore could still get up on plane from rest in thigh deep water!

I have sea trialed other 22's and 25's with and without the Whalerdrive. The 22 has twin 135 Mercury outboards hung on a Whalerdrive and does quite well. The 25's I have been in were all notched transom hulls with anything from a single 200 to 300 engines, two and four strokes.

My suggestion for you would be twins with the Whalerdrive. If you are looking for economy, go with twin V-4 engines, and if more power is desired go with twin V-6 engines. With the four stroke V-4 engines you will be able to keep the weight down as desired but personally I still like the two strokes.