Mercury engines

[BaseCampAnne]

After hanging around the demo day in Anacortes yesterday I am even more serious about getting a 22 CRSR for hanging out with the C-Brats.
The Seattle dealer has some 07 boats on sale, but the only engine allowed is the Mercury.

I notice this is a Honda community, and know help will be available with a Honda engine, but wonder about the Mercury. Is it better to pay more and get the Honda? Suggestions? Also do most of you prefer two engines? That cost differential is significant also.The deal looks to be worth several thousand dollars. I was thinking of getting the 90ELPT EFI, but have not found any discussion on the Mercury engines.

Suggestions? Thanks,

[SEA3PO]

You might try calling several west coast dealers and ask what they have in stock..... I saw a really nice 22 in Ventura yesterday and it had a 90 Honda on it.... ya might get a deal, but I don''t think the boats sit on the lot very long .....I am kinda amazed a dealer had a 2007 model ..

Good Luck...and Welcome Aboard..

Joel
SEA3PO

[Pat Anderson]

A point that Jim from Master Marine made in Anacortes - the Seattle Boat Show may NOT be the place to get the best deal on a C-Dory - Jim was lamenting how much it cost them to be at the SBS. And LUSR will probably be the prime C-Dory display at the SBS. Their price in Anacortes on the TC255 with two 140 Suzukis was $115K...

[thataway]

The TC 255 with two 140's at $115K is high, in comparison to what others are getting boats for with the Suzuki 150's--which I would recommend.

I thought that part of the "deal" with LUSR was that boats could be ordered from the factory with Hondas.

All of the current 4 stroke and the E tec are good engines. I personally like the Suzuki's because they can swing a bigger prop. Also they have outstanding longivity.

The 130 Honda I own, had some electrolysis in the lower unit--and that may have been a result of the previous owners maintance.

It is worth shopping around, and buying the best price, and what you want in engines and accessories. Buying C Dories is not like buying cars--there is the opportunity to still have some choice in accessories and engines.

Good luck in your quest.

[Water Bill]

BaseCampAnne,

I just purchased a used C-Dory 22 with a 90 HP Suzuki on it and so far it runs just great. I have only been out twice since I bought the boat.
I was considering a Mercury outboard if I bought new from a dealer in New Mexico and never saw any complaints about the Mercs.
Flagold is running a 90 hp Mercury on his C-Dory 22 and seems to be having good luck with it. You might try contacting him.

Bill Roche

[Sea Wolf]

Does anyone know if the present Mercury 4 stroke engines are still Yamaha powerheads with Mercury lower legs? And in which HP ranges?

I wonder if Mercury intended to set up their manufacturing process and tooling to build the valve trains and cams necessary for 4 stroke engines?

Joe.

[JimD]

And remember, the hp maximums are largely based on weight. For those of you who want to plane a TC on one engine, possibly; the E Tek 200s (2.6 version) weigh less than the Honda 150s. Also the Suzuki 175 is the same
block and weight as the 150.

Of course there ARE insurance and liability issues to consider

[Doryman]

[thataway]

I doubt if you could plane a Tom Cat 255 with a single 200 hp engine--let alone a 175 (the 175 has to spin up near its top RPM to take advantage of the valve advance and get the extra HP--and you would need a lower pitched prop to get those RPM.

The steering effect of the widely space twins, becomes an issue before the boat gets on a plane. You will be pushing that single engine to the opposite side to overcove that, and this will most likely take enough HP, that you will not get the boat on a plane, even with a 200 hp--but then someone may prove me wrong...I just would not try it--the boat does fine with the 150's--no reason for 175's or 200's. Heck spending $600+ for fuel for a weekend's run is bad enough!

[westward]

Re: Mercury engines: I've had 2 Mercury marine powerplants, a 15HP kicker and a 470/Alpha one IO setup. Unless Mercury has made recent strides in quality, I'd recommend you avoid them. THIS IS ONLY ONE BOATER'S OPINION AND NOT MEANT TO OFFEND ANYONE!!! I've had excellent reliability/longevity with the 2 Johnson products I've owned (both were pre-Bombradier and non-FICT), and now run Honda outboards. The reason I chose Honda: I've owned 5 Honda automobiles, a Honda ATV, and have a Honda based pressure washer. I've not had a single engine issue of any kind with any of these products. Honda is essentially an engine company, is a relatively green company, and historically emphasizes simplicity/reliability/durability. Evinrude E-Tec, Yamaha and Suzuki also appear to make great marine engines and each has its unique advantages. Honestly, the Merc is the only one I eliminated from consideration for my boat, based on previous experience. I don't know about the specific model you're looking at, but some of the Merc. units are actually made by the other firms, which should be OK. Good luck with whatever you decide! Mike.

[Sea Wolf]

[matt_unique]

[SEA3PO]

That's only 150 gallons...at $4.....and if you averaged 2 mpg that would only be 75 miles.... that's not unreasonable.. Kinda scary yes...
I think that may be another reason I love my 22 C-Dory... I get between 4 and 4.5 with my twin Yamaha 40's

Joel
SEA3PO

[Captains Cat]

[matt_unique]

Bob mentioned he consistently gets 2.2 MPG, so with 150G of fuel that's 330 miles. Gas is selling for about $3 a gallon here. That means $1.36 in fuel per mile traveled.

That is definitely no C-22, but it's not horrible either considering the ride, power, space, and speed.