Repowering of 22 foot C-Dory

Mason C. Bailey · Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 4:19 pm Post subject: Repowering of 22 foot C-Dory

I have a 2002 22 foot C-Dory, the McNaughty III. It's been a great boat but the twin Honda 40's are starting to need increased maintenance. I just retired several years ago and it seems that at least once or twice a season I need to get major repairs done on one or both engines. So for peace of mind and also to better enjoy my retirement I'd like new engines.

My questions to anyone that has knowledge in the area are: Is there any reason not to just get 2 new Honda 40's?

Also I boat in salt water and so attempt to rinse with fresh water after each use. This requires me to back into my moorage slip, usually easy enough but as I get older I'm having a bit more trouble doing this. Or at least it's making it more stressful for me. So does anyone know of an outboard that has a fresh water flushing system that can be accessed more easily? A hose connection that could be reached from the back of the boat without having to back the boat into the dock?

The only issues I've had with the Honda's is their thermostats. I have needed to replace at least every other year. I have seen this posted on the C-Dory site in the past, and I have posted myself. The problem starts out with finding out you have too much oil in each engine, yes they actually start to overflow. The cause is the thermostat not allowing the motor to stay at the right temperature. If I recall the conversation correctly, if the motor is running too cool, not all the gas is burned and passes through into the oil. I wonder if this problem has been corrected?

So thanks in advance for any information anyone may give me. Thanks, Mason

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 4:46 pm Post subject:

Mason, if you're really tired of the periodic maintenance, I would repower with either Honda or Suzuki 50 horse engines. Both are injected, so you'll have easier starts, plus a little better economy. I suspect both have flushing connections.

Something to consider is that Oregon doesn't have a sales tax if you want to save a bit by driving down.

thataway · Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:34 pm Post subject:

I have a suzuki 140, and the 90's have the same flushing port--easy to do from inside the boat.

Staying with Honda may be cheaper rigging. If you are used to maneuvering with the twins, it may be easier to stick with them.

Also I think you can fabricate a device to easily allow flushing from the boat. I don't know if this is commercially available, but just some tubing and the right fittings will do it.

BrentB · Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 8:46 pm Post subject:

ETEC 90 is another option with no maintenance for 3 yrs or 300 hours
http://www.boattest.com/engine-review/Evinrude/18500074_E-TEC-90-H-O-_2014

Dealer support is important too

on the flip it sounds like the motors have low hours and I am curious on the issues you are having and work performed.

Maybe going over the current OBs and getting it up to date is an option

Distinguishing Features of the Evinrude E-TEC 90 H.O.

Coming up with distinguishing features for any of the Evinrude E-TEC models is fairly easy as they offer some distinct advantages not found in their 4-stroke counterparts. There are features such as…
• No Dealer Scheduled Maintenance. For three years or 300 hours, whichever comes first.

• No Break-in Required. The computer-controlled engine knows how many hours are on it, and automatically doubles the oil distribution to the cylinders for the break in period. After 2.5 running hours have been put on the engine, the oil distribution reverts to normal levels. The consumer takes no action.

• No Crankcase Oil to Change. With Evinrude E-TEC, just fill an oil tank and let the engine distribute it as needed. The oil in 4-stroke engines should be changed every 100 hours or every year.

• Auto Winterization. The engine fogs itself automatically in minutes with no trip to the dealer. Boaters in the northern latitudes will especially appreciate this as they can winterize their engine and still be able to take advantage of a winter warm spell and get out on the water again, and then just as easily re-winterize it.

• Fewer Parts. 195 fewer than a 4-stroke. No valves, belts, camshafts or pulleys to adjust or replace. No fuel pump or alternator to wear out.

• Self-flushing Cooling System. Just connect a hose at the exhaust port and let her run… or not. The engine will flush just from running the water from the hose.

• Tougher Gear Case. The gear case on the 25” (30.48 cm) shaft version of the 90-hp high output engine is the same gear case that Evinrude uses on its V6 engines and it has a special gear ratio. Rather than a .54 V6 gear, this one utilizes a .44 gearing. That means instead of 1.86:1 ratio it uses a 2.25:1 ratio. So that means we can now use V6 propellers on this 90-hp engine. And there’s a much wider selection of propellers for the V6 configurations, which means better efficiency for the applications that it will be used on. The 20'' shaft version has the standard V4 gear case.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 9:01 pm Post subject:

If it were me I'd check the manufacturer's specs and features, with a few thoughts in mind. Since they are pretty much all good engines these days, it comes down to details and personal preference, to my mind. If you like the twins now and want to stick with them, then that narrows it down.

1) How much do they weigh? These days, one can pretty much always stand to get some weight off the stern of a 22 (or not put it on).m For example, the Honda 50 weighs the same as the 40, so you get "extra" horsepower for no penalty (except price). With some other brands (Yamaha, for example), the 50 is on the "next block up" from the 40 and so weighs more. And then you have outliers like the Evinrude ETEC 40, which although the ETECs have the reputation for being light, is not particularly light (I guess it did not scale down, as the 90 is quite light). So I'd check that on each brand.

2) What size is the alternator? These have been going up over the years, and (presuming it is important to you) does vary by brand/model.

3) As you brought up, how is the flushing port? Is it standard? Is it easy to use? I have a Yamaha and it has a nice port, came standard, fits a garden hose. I don't believe these flush everything though (forget what they miss... lower unit?).

4) Will you service it yourself or take it to dealer? Which brand(s) have good support convenient to you? Which have good support in areas where you might tend to cruise?

5) If you go Honda, will you be able to re-use your gauges and controls (or would you want upgraded ones anyway, in which case not a factor)?

6) Do you happen to like the look of silver? or Black? Might as well enjoy looking at them Smile

If I had to make a decision in five minutes, with no Internet, I'd go with a pair of Honda 50's in your situation.

Blueback · Posted: Sat May 09, 2015 11:14 pm Post subject:

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 2:34 am Post subject:

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 11:44 am Post subject:

Sunbeam mentioned that by staying with Honda, you could keep the same controls. I'm not sure you can (maybe), as the new engines are fuel injected versus the carbureted older engines. I don't know what the choke linkiage means for connectivity on the new engines.

potter water · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 11:45 am Post subject:

Double ditto's on the twin 50 hp Suzuki option. Also almost equal ditto's on the E-tech option. The days of Honda and Yamaha dominance are over as there are so many excellent options...not to disparage Honda or Yami as they are good too. But my experience base is with E-tech and Suzi.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 12:39 pm Post subject:

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 12:58 pm Post subject:

Sunbeam, apologies! I misread your point.

Sunbeam · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 1:02 pm Post subject:

No worries, but thanks for the note back Smile

Mason C. Bailey

Great comments from all, it has given me much more to consider and research. I just got off the Honda and Suzuki websites, looking at their 50 HP models. I'll probably stay with the twins, I haven't been able to determine yet if the hole pattern would be the same on the Honda's and Suzuki? This could be a deciding factor. Upgrading to the 50 hp would be my choice for the few days that we do get flat water.

A few asked about my engine hours and such: The engines currently have 1500 hours. Not that many in my mind but 13 years of age and strictly saltwater use takes its toll as well. I just spent close to $5000 in repairs two months ago. New lower unit on one, new steering cable, tune ups, and tilt repair on both. First trip out after the service was to Neah Bay, WA (northwestern most point of Washington state). Great fishing for Ling cod and black bass, with limits each day. On this trip, one engine would stall/die at idle when docking or backing into the wind to fish. And the power tilt starting acting up on one engine as well. It just seems that each year I spend more time at the marine dealer than out fishing.

Thanks again for all the responses and I'll be checking back to see what else someone may have to say. Mason

Sunbeam

hardee · Posted: Sun May 10, 2015 1:44 pm Post subject:

Glad to hear you like your "Twins". I'm kind of a twins guy too so I would stay with twins, it'll make you backing into anyplace easier.

The Yamaha's have a very easy flush port, as Sunbeam mentioned, just hook a garden hose up to it. I have a "Y" connector, so the top of the "Y" gets one to each OB, and then the bottom goes to the garden hose and turn the water on to flush. I don't know about it not reaching the full engine, as Sunbeam mentioned, but my mechanic said that was all I needed to do for engine flushing.

The Yami drawback is the 50 is heavy compared to the 40. I'd stay in the Honda stable for the power increase. I would agree, the step up to 50 is a good move. My 40's are OK, but given the opportunity, I'd go 50 if I could and stay with Yamaha. (That choice is only because I am planning on frequenting Canadian water and there are service issues with Honda in Canada.)

Harvey
SleepyC Moon