New 1983 22' Classic Owner With Hull and Motor Questions

cedarecho

I just purchased a 1983 22' Classic for $2000. It had been up on blocks since 1996 and need a lot of TLC. After getting it cleaned up and running we mad a few short trips only to have the lower unit go out (suzuki DT85 of the same year). I just finished tearing it apart and it would appear to me that replacing the lower unit on that motor does not make sense. I do have a 2005 115 Optimax in my garage that I could install but I have heard that it is overpowered for the dorys with the flat bottom can anyone confirm that for me?

My other question is does anyone have experience operating the new and old hull design and is the performance better in the new hull. The reason that I ask is that we are not used the the feel of the flat bottom and if the modified hull performs better I could find a used motor for this one and sell it and put the money I would have spent on a new motor and the sale of this boat towards one with the new hull design.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Discovery · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 9:37 am Post subject:

Cedarecho,

The early hulls were rated for 70HP. I owned a 1984 Angler and ran it with a 90HP Evinrude. It would do 35 MPH at a 7000' elevation local lake. I never felt unsafe with the extra power, and usually cruised at 20 MPH. The 115 HP Optimax could be a fine motor if you don't push it to the max. Just because the power is there you don't have to use it. The weight of the 115 and a 90 should be similar. If you already have the 115 HP, that's the route I would go.

The older hulls are flatter in the front than the post 87 hulls. I haven't run a newer hull enough to comment on the difference between the two. Neither hull is a high speed hull in much of a chop. Just slow down when the conditions are snotty.

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 11:22 am Post subject:

only 2 grand? thats a hell of a fine.

I would hang the 115 on there and go with it. As the man said you dont have to run wide open all the time. My 27 has a 225 honda on it and I run at 3800rpm out of a possible 5800 rpm. I get better fuel numbers them most of the 25's out there.

Larry H · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 12:08 pm Post subject:

Red Fox, (a member of this site), ran a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke on a 22 Classic. He had no problems with the extra HP. He did install large trim tabs to help with fore-aft trim.

Larry H · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 4:42 pm Post subject:

Just an FYI on the 83 Classic. Be sure your transom is OK. Some of the Classics have had water intrusion problems with the transom and required rebuilding.

cedarecho · Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 5:07 pm Post subject:

The previous owner had the transom repaired back in 1993. I am pulling the old outboard tonight and will make sure to do a thorough inspection.

Thanks for that information.

Connie Fisher · Guest

Help, I need to find one of these reasonably priced CD’s for a restoration project.

Please let me know if you see any sitting around needing rescued.

Alaska is a little far but lower forty eight destinations are all interesting.

Regards,

Ron Fisher

Catch 22 · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:21 am Post subject:

I got an early model in (presumably the same condition). The only real problem was the transom, it was very rotten. I believe that transom cap was made with very sharp angles. I think the hard edges on the top of the transom were prone to cracking and letting water in. When I rebuilt the transom I made all the angle changes very soft, no hard edges. After a few years on the water I have had no problems. Dry that boat out and throw any motor on it and you will be happy...

Jack in Alaska · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 3:29 am Post subject:

I ran my 1983 22' C-Dory with a 115 Johnson 2 stroke for 15 yrs. It handled the motor just fine. I only opened it up once to WOT and the prop torque rolled the boat on it's port side at 38 mph. The seat got greasy. Never did it again.
The boat handled much better after putting a 90 hp Honda on it in 1997 with much better fuel economy. That motor is on it still and my son owns it now.
Go ahead with the 115 just keep your "foot" out of the throttle.

cedarecho · Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 3:42 am Post subject:

Thanks for all of the input. This site has been a great help for my many issues. I decided to keep the 115 Optimax on my skiff and just ordered a 90 Optimax.

Jimbo · Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 10:52 pm Post subject:

Couldn't really see the pictures but if you don't have trim tabs I would strongly recommend putting them on. The flat hull pounds really easy without them.
Jimbo

cedarecho · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 3:22 am Post subject:

After removing the outboard the repairs that the previous owner had done were either poorly done or improper not to mention that the holes for the transducer and kicker mount had no sealant. So the new 90hp will have to wait for repairs to be done. I have sent a few private messages out but if anyone has advice on repairing a transom let me know.

Trim tabs are in the future thanks for the advice.

Captains Cat · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 7:30 am Post subject:

Lots on this site. Use the google custom search box at the top of any page and put in

transom AND repair

That should answer a lot of your questions. Take pictures and add to our knowledge too. Good luck.

Charlie

Larry H · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 1:14 pm Post subject:

Roger had to have the transom on Sensei repaired.

Here is a link to the pictures.
http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album270&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

localboy · Posted: Mon May 28, 2012 1:59 pm Post subject:

Search under "thataway" too. I know Dr Bob did some serious repairs to his old 25 IIRC.