1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Optimizing the performance of Boston Whaler boats
99 conquest
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1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby 99 conquest » Wed Feb 02, 2022 6:57 pm

[On a 1999 23 CONQUEST boat the current power is ] twin c.2000 [Mercury OptiMax] 135-HP engines. I have have decided to purchase new engines, either twin SUZUKI DF150 engines or a single 300-HP engine.

I am also debating getting electronic shift and throttle [EST] engines--a $6,000 cost increase--which Suzuki calls "Drive-by-wire" instead of traditional mechanical-cable linked remote shift and throttle controls.

I would like to get [performance data about] wide-open-throttle [engine speeds from anyone who has re-powered a c.1999 23 CONQUEST with either twin DF150 or with a single 300-HP engine.

[Moderator's note: moved to PERFORMANCE for discussion. All discussions about engine re-powering are in PERFORMANCE.]

jimh
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby jimh » Thu Feb 03, 2022 9:13 am

I converted my 225-HP engine to electronic shift and throttle [EST] controls from conventional mechanical cable linked shift and throttle controls. I have very much enjoyed the EST controls.

For twin-engine controls most EST controls will have a mode where one handle of a two-handle EST control can operate the throttle of both engines. This would be a very handy feature if you decide to purchase twin engines.

Regarding choice of single engine or twin engine, everything favors the single engine. A single engine will probably deliver better boat speed, better fuel economy, easier maintenance, and much lower purchase costs, rigging costs, and operating costs.

You give no information about where you are boating and what sort of distances offshore you run the boat. If you routinely are out boating alone and your routinely venture far offshore--more than 25-miles--then twin-engine rigging can offer you some peace of mind with regard to an engine failure. Only you can assess the value of the added costs of twin engines with regard to how much peace of mind they provide you.

In my case, my previous boat had twin engines. My current boat is single-engine powered. I have been very satisfied with the single engine performance, reduced maintenance, improved fuel economy, and lower operating costs.

We do occasionally make some long runs offshore. For example, we have run about 70-miles across Lake Superior from Isle Royale to Copper Harbor alone. However, when we are undertaking those kinds of jumps we usually are in a group of two or more boats, and while we might not always travel in unison, we are usually in radio contact. This provides some peace of mind should any boat become disabled.

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Phil T
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby Phil T » Thu Feb 03, 2022 10:30 am

A $6,000 upcharge for drive-by-wire is foolish. Don't fall for it.
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99 conquest
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby 99 conquest » Thu Feb 03, 2022 5:00 pm

Thanks for the replies.

I am awaiting a quote for the mechanical-control engine configuration, with Teleflex, and with with two SMG4 gauges. I learned this configuration is an option.

I do not go offshore. I boat on the Severn River and on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland.

My activities are recreational boating and angling 10 to 30-miles.

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Phil T
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby Phil T » Thu Feb 03, 2022 9:25 pm

If you have not ordered the engines, work to get the dealer to lock in the price in writing.

Typically buyers put deposits down, wait five to nine months. What's different now is when the engines are delivered to the dealer some are being notified the "actual price" that is much more than quoted.

Now is a really difficult time to be buying outboard engines.
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jimh
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby jimh » Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:00 am

I assume that the $6,000 increase in cost for EST controls is for two engines and all the new rigging needed. I don't think that is an excessive amount. I would estimate that the network wiring and dual-lever EST controls would cost about $1,500. Two engine start-stop switches and trim-tilt panels would cost about $1,000 total. That leaves $3,500 for the two engines, or about $1,750 per engine increase.

Compare the total rigging costs for EST versus mechanical controls, assuming you buy all new mechanical controls, as I doubt the existing Mercury mechanical shift and throttle controls are going to be workable with the new engines.

Also, rigging twin engines with mechanical control cables means four cables, and that makes the transom rigging a bit sloppy. With EST controls the rigging will be much cleaner at the transom, the shifting will be much better, the throttle control will be better.

Buying twin 150-HP modern engines is going to cost about $35,000 to just get started. You are at the point which is akin to buying a new car. Once you spend $35,000 for the new car, it gets easier to add on some luxury option package for $6,000.

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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby jimh » Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:03 am

99 conquest wrote:...with Teleflex....
I do not understand what you mean by "with Teleflex." Please explain further.

99 conquest wrote:...I do not go offshore. I boat on the Severn River and on Chesapeake Bay in Maryland....10 to 30-miles....
I don't understand the distance range of 10 to 30-miles.

Is that the total distance for you in a day of boating?

Or is that the distance away from nearest shoreline?

Calvin
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby Calvin » Tue Feb 22, 2022 10:44 am

99 conquest wrote:I have have decided to purchase new engines...


In Fall 2021, I bought a [1999--always use four digits for year] 23 Conquest with two worn-out Mercury 135-HP OptiMax engines.

I am having two Suzuki DF150 engines installed--as soon as they show up. The shop ordered them in November 2021, and they engines are expected them to show up around March to May, 2022.

The engines I have ordered will have mechanical controls and SMG4 gauges. The cost was quoted to be $33,735, with an estimated 18-hours of labor.

The base price for the standard engine was $12,730, and for acounter rotating engine $13,210.

I chose twins because I make a few trips to Isle Royale and Stannard Rock [in Lake Superior] each year, and I really wanted the peace of mind twin engines offer.

When you have performance data, please share it.

A recorded presentation of [a 23 CONQUEST] with twin Yamaha 150-HP engines shows a top boat speed of 50-MPH.

--Calvin

jimh
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby jimh » Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:05 am

The concept that twin engine powering will enable you to continue a long offshore run in the even of a failure of one engine is a reasonable proposition, but there is a very important qualifier needed. If a single engine of a twin-engine powered boat is not able to push the boat onto plane, the boat speed for a 23-footer available under one-engine propulsion will be limited to perhaps about 6 to 8-MPH.

Also, to achieve planing with only one engine may require a propeller pitch reduction. But the notion of changing a propeller while offshore perhaps 35-miles seems a bit dangerous unless the sea state was flat calm and you could work from a dinghy.

Calvin
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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby Calvin » Tue Apr 19, 2022 1:09 pm

I found a [short recording showing a 23 CONQUEST twin-engine boat running on one engine] that gives me peace of mind.

Time will tell if a Suzuki DF150 four-stroke-power-cycle engine has the midrange grunt that the Mercury OptiMax 135-HP had.

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Re: 1999 23 Conquest Repower: Single or Twin; EST Controls

Postby Mambo Minnow » Tue May 03, 2022 6:37 pm

[For a 1999 23 CONQUEST] twin 150-HP engines [are ideal propulsion].