Repowering a 2009 22 Cruiser

Gungho · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:25 am Post subject: Repowering a 2009 22 Cruiser

I know this topic has been kicked around previously but seems like many years ago. My current set up is with twin 40hp Yamahas. Should I stay with twin 40 or 50 Yamahas or go to a single Merc 90-115 with a kicker? Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you in advance

Flashyfish · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 10:59 am Post subject:

If you need the redundancy and safety factors with having two motors stay with the present setup.
Otherwise, a single larger outboard offers advantages in maintenance costs, transom weight savings and simplicity.

I have owned several new fuel injected 90 and 115 hp motors over the years and found them to be reliable and trouble free. No big secrets, fresh filtered fuel treated with stabil and doing the routine maintenance.

Gungho · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 11:05 am Post subject:

Thank you Flashy for your response. I don't think the weight is that much different when adding a kicker to the equation. I will double check. Thanks

thataway · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 12:45 pm Post subject:

First why do you want to re-power? (I note that the engines had 930 hours when you bought the boat about a year and a half ago.). I am aware of many of those motors getting 2,000 hours. On the other hand, if there is a reliability issue, the going with new is a wise move. There can be multiple other reasons.

How well do the 2 40 hp motors fit your needs? Can you envision a reason to go with a single and kicker (such as lower speed for trolling for salmon? If that is a need--go with the single and kicker

I happen to be a single and kicker guy, only having owned one boat in over 65 years of owning power and sail boats which were suited for offshore use that I owned a boat with twin engines, and that was a 42' "trawler/motor yacht. I have never owned twin outboards...

Jay of Hunkydory fame, choose to re-power with twin 60's, because he could get better speed if lost one engine, and often has a heavily loaded boat.

Here is a link to his excellent thought process on re-powering with twin 60's. A must read for someone in your "boat".

Gungho · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 1:13 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your reply. Good work knowing the boat. The main reason is in the time I've owned the boat it has been out of the water with engine issues for 4 weeks (month of August) and now. First issue required a new stator and idling problems with both motors and now one engine wouldn't start and the other can't run with any load on it. The shaft to the lower end is stuck and the mechanic hasn't been able to remove. Says the lower ends haven't been removed for some time. I was hoping they could be fixed but ... At this time I don't have any confidence in these motors and don't feel they are reliable any more. Thank you for the link

thataway · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 3:00 pm Post subject:

Gungho · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 4:03 pm Post subject:

Just got back from the mechanic and he has the shaft out of the motor but it's now stuck in the lower bushing. Still not off. I think at this point I'm going to wait and see if he can fix. Get the other fully serviced. May just replace one. Thanks for the discussion. Till next time lol

Foggy · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 4:54 pm Post subject:

I've said it before and I'll say it again: more is better.

Review a previous post:

colbysmith · Posted: Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:44 pm Post subject:

ssobol · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 10:41 am Post subject:

drbridge · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:49 pm Post subject:

We have had our 22 Cruiser for 9 years now. Had a Honda 90HP originally and re powered with a 90HP Yamaha a few years ago. We travel fully loaded from Sequim to Desolation Sound and the Discovery Islands and also use it for fishing in the Strait of Juan De Fuca as well as off shore when conditions allow. I have never once had a need for more power. We also have a 8 HP Honda to get us home if needed. Only had to use it for that purpose once. That is when we decided to re power with new Yamaha due to corrosion issues with the Honda.

colbysmith · Posted: Sat Dec 16, 2023 3:32 pm Post subject:

I had a 115 on my 22, because that's what it came with. I found when running (racing) with other 22's that had the 90's, I maybe only had about a knot or two on them. At normal cruising speeds their fuel flow was better though! Maybe I could have towed more behind the boat, but I wasn't a towboat!

Gungho · Posted: Sun Dec 17, 2023 12:02 pm Post subject:

Thank you for all your input. Much appreciated.

Reelin2 · Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 2:36 pm Post subject:

I repowered with a Mercury CT 115 last year, couldn’t be happier. I went with a 25” shaft with a manual jackplate as the boat lives in the water six months of the year. I cannot comment on the twins as they were junk when I bought the boat.

-Waypoint- · Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2023 8:57 am Post subject:

I repowered my boat last year with new 2022 EFI, Honda BF40 twins. Replaced the exact same engines 26 years newer. Repowering cost with rigging nema 2000 everything, latest controls, new SS props, $18,000. The boat feels like it has a 115 hp. with the torque of the twins! Easy to replace no holes added to the transom or to fill. For my boat this was an easy decision.