posted 03-27-2011 05:49 PM ET (US)        

Keep in mind NADA value for this motor is a little over $,2000 and it is a gas and oil guzzler. My choices are to:

--re-build the engine myself with unknown outcome--haha;

--buy a remanufactured powerhead for $2,700 with a one-year warranty;

--send entire motor out for rebuild [over] $3,000, plus shipping;or,

--re-power for somewhere between $12,000 and $18,000.

The specification for the hull are length 19' 8", beam 8' 4", draft 15", dry weight 2,350[-lbs], swamp aapacity 4,800[-lbs], persons capacity 9, fuel capacity 87[-gallons], maximum HP 225, minimum HP 130, engine shaft 25".

Whaler tells me maximum recommended motor weight is 540-lbs. This means any four-cycle engine over 150-HP is out except for the Suzuki 175. The original 200-HP Mercury weighs 398-lbs for reference

To my best knowledge my only options are:

--175 Suzuki 485-lbs, with largest output for displacement;

--200 E-TEC 433-lbs, with largest output for displacement;

--225 E-TEC 524-lbs;

--200 or 225 Optimax 505-lbs

--200 HPDI Yamaha 475-lbs.

I have heard great things about the Suzuki and E-TEC, bad things about the HPDI, and not so great about Optimax.

I am looking for reliability, low maintenence, and low operating costs. My usual load is half a tank, four people, light fishing gear, freedive and spearfishng gear. My guestimated operating weight is around 4,200-lbs with the above items. The boat also has 12x12 trim tabs.

Is a 175-HP four-cycle engine going to be enough? Similarly weighted boat tested: (low load test weight is similar to my full load and boat size)
3.72MPG 22-nautical miles per hour at 4,000-RPM and WOT 20 nautical miles per hour at 6,200-RPM. Source is http://www.suzukimarine.com/uploads/09_Dusky203Open_SZ175.pdf

Or, do I need more power? Right now loaded up I cruise at 23 nautical miles per hour at 4,000-RPM and WOT 38 nautical miles per hour at 5,800-RPM. I do not need to go this fast. My [most distant] fishing location is 12 miles away. Speed is nice, but efficiency will encourage me to go out more. Also, this boat will be used at least once a week for as long as I live in the Bahamas. I also will not be able to go to a dealer for installation and service.

posted 03-28-2011 08:44 AM ET (US)            

If you are handy but retired and just want to enjoy life, go for the new motor.

If you use the boat a lot, fuel need to be of concern.
There's a sizable difference in fuel consumption between the old motor and new one.

I can only imagine fuel being more expensive on the islands. In any case the large 4 cycles are heavier. In yammie land you should look into the 225 hp 4 strokes. They are weighing in at 558. (only 18 pounds over which is not much) For some reason the 200hp range weighs in more. I suppose you should also think about how the boat performed when it had its original motor on. Do you need the speed/power or was it overkill. The 150's are good motors too but you might miss the extra 50 horses under the cover when you open it up. The plus side would be that the 150 is probably more fuel efficent and a little cheaper.

As for the 4 strokes, also remember that they need love and attention every 50-100 hrs or so. (oil change at least)

The etecs are a nice choice, simpler overall design motor with no oil changes. Just feed it its 2 cycle motor and away you go. Fuel consumption is pretty good with those motors.

posted 03-28-2011 02:37 PM ET (US)            

Not that there is anything wrong with the other engines but without dealer support and asuuming for all, that nothing goes wrong, you have a distinct advantage in your case with an ETEC, Just make sure it is set for your local 2 stroke oil supply before delivery if you can only get TWC3.

posted 03-28-2011 05:45 PM ET (US)            

The bigger 4 strokes are great, just too heavy for this boat that doesn't like extra weight. In a repower with todays options, I would get the E-Tec on this paticular hull

posted 03-28-2011 09:02 PM ET (US)            

Do you think the smaller 200 at 433-lbs or the bigger 200 HO or 225 at 528-lbs? Or, whatever is best? I like the power to weight advantage, but worry about the stress on a smaller displacement tuned to the max to get 200-HP as far as wear and tear and long term dependability.

posted 03-28-2011 11:27 PM ET (US)            

I had a Yamaha 8-HP kicker motor, four-cycle engine in the 100-lb range that I have replaced with an older Yamaha 4-HP two-cycle eigine in the 40-lbs range that balances the boat better. Almost the same push, less than half the weight.

This is a great hull for Whaler in my opinion. Lots of storage, fish boxs, anchor locker, bow locker, but too much weight on the transom with a full tank of gas shows up.

Stay as light as you can

Good luck

posted 03-30-2011 09:13 AM ET (US)            

Like most decisions of this type it usually comes down to resources. In a no resource constraints situation I would go for the new Evinrude solution in the highest output in a weight recommended for my boat.

Worst case I would go for a power head rebuild. However, I would be very leery buying a rebuilt power head at the price point you mention. There are some dishonest shops out there that primarily prey on on-line customers. A1 Outboards and it's several permutations such as Blackbird Industries come to mind. There is a lot of information on that particular operation on www.thehulltruth,com which are worth a read.

I recommend you consider a simple repair of the damaged cylinder by a shop known by you to be reputable.

posted 03-30-2011 12:26 PM ET (US)            

Just guessing,

posted 06-09-2011 03:43 PM ET (US)            

i have also started to look at the yamaha f150 mostly because availability and support in the bahamas. its the only brand that there is a technician on my island for. it seems like it wont be much power for the boat.

posted 06-09-2011 09:39 PM ET (US)            

Dollar for dollar it's going to be tough to look past a 150 Opti when the time comes to repower.

No need to buy a new steering cylinder.
No need to buy a new throttle/shifter.
There is a relatively cheap adapter that will allow my rigging to connect to the new motor.
I would probably want some type of smartcraft gauge, either a new tach or an add on gauge.

Basically by the time you completely repower with a Yamaha/Suzuki/Etec 150hp, new rigging and all. You could probably do a 225 Opti with your existing rigging for the same money.

To me the upside of the Yamaha is probably better resale, no oil tank, and quieter. Better support in the Bahamas.

The 150 Opti will likely have a little better lower/midrange power and will be cheaper to repower.

Another concern is what type of boating are you doing. If you tend to sit with the engine idling all day then maybe the 4stroke option would make more sense.

posted 06-09-2011 09:54 PM ET (US)            

Just 2 minor points

ETEC's have excellant engine idling/trolling stats

Commander coo1 may be able to get an export ETEC that comes complete with rigging, prop and I-command plus NMEA2000 GPS and tank sensor.

posted 06-10-2011 07:42 PM ET (US)            

Great if you can get export models, it makes a big difference

Yamaha are great engines and if it's easier for you to get it serviced there than the ETEC etc it's an easy choice.

Would of thought the suzuki to be 1-2K cheaper