We have a 23 CC (venture hull ) with a Yamaha F115 we had a lower unit leaking seal which we fixed. Then I saw a new 115 merc with the CT (command thrust) lower unit from merc 150 hp . So hoping for a repower to the new merc 2.1 litre with a much bigger prop . The 05 yami was a Great engine but hoping this merc will be better off the line for water sports . I will let you know how it runs .BTW it was over $ 1000 less then Yami ,Suzuki and $3000 less then the e-tec . So the merc won out for price and for bigger gearcase and prop . top end with Yami was 32mph @5600rpm and 22mph @ 4500rpm Good Cruise for a Venture CC hull. I was getting 4-5 mpg with Yami F115 Hoping to get better with new merc .
2016 repower 115 merc
- Thread starter jennykatz
- Start date
South of Heaven
New member
I'd be interested to hear the replies as well. I'm curious about the 75/90.
DrewbirdII
New member
I've been running the 90Hp command thrust for a little over a year now on my 22 cruiser and very happy with it. I could not believe the difference in performance. With the larger diameter prop (15x17), extra weight on the transom is no longer an issue. If you run the boat too light, you need to take it easy throttling it up or turning sharp because of the lift it generates making the boat slide. Adding weight, such as all your cruising gear then its a dream. Full load with down riggers cannon balls, dingy, 150 litres of ice and gear for a week, it cruises nicely at 18 mph @3800 rpm and will top out at 30 mph 5400 rpm.
That's what I hear about these new motors . A couple of my friends have been trying to change my mind back to the Yamaha but I really want the bigger prop Command Thrust on the new merc. On the first few Cape Cruisers their placard shows only 120hp the newer ones and Ventures have a 150hp placard .I ordered it March 31st so I got the rebate $750 plus the platinum protection plan 5 years . As soon as my Yamaha is sold I'll go to the dealer and have him put it on .
18 mph at 3800 is great and 30 at 5400 rpm So the 115 hp on the CC23 should produce same numbers?
18 mph at 3800 is great and 30 at 5400 rpm So the 115 hp on the CC23 should produce same numbers?
I spent some time chatting with a combined Yamaha/Mercury dealer head mechanic and parts fellow (was buying some Yamaha parts), and idly mentioned maybe re-powering. I've had the Yamaha 115 B in mind as a strong possibility. Without really asking me what my goals/cruising style was, he raved about the Merc 115. I was in go-fast-boat country (everything from cigarette type boats to "fast" pontoons) and his first comment was how they could put on the same horsepower engine (plus the big prop) and make any pontoon go so much faster (that's very popular here).
Going faster and/or hole shot are pretty unimportant to me (although I realize that's partially what jennykatz is after for watersports), but the dealer fellow didn't know that. Anyway, he was certainly enthusiastic, and just because his boat focus isn't mine, doesn't mean that maybe I shouldn't consider a Merc. Growing up we had a small one and it was somewhat unpleasant -- always the motor the "loser" got in a race to our two little skiffs (Evinrude 6 vs. Merc 4 - big times!
) So I had just never considered one. But that was then...
So.... a question for you, Drew:
Sounds like the 90 is more than ample for a 22. What I'd like to know is how does it do in the "very slow planing" range. Say 10-12 knots. That's of more interest to me. What engine did you have before and can you say how it compares in this range?
Also, I know this is subjective, but how would you rate the engine noise level compared to your previous one?
I know these things aren't exactly what jennykatz is after, but maybe they will help round out the picture for him - and maybe others like me who had never previously considered Merc.
Thanks,
Sunbeam
PS: Drew, I just noticed that your profile says "1989 22 Classic." So just to check, is it a classic (made up through 1986) with the flat hull and single motorwell aft? Or is it a Cruiser or Angler made from 1987 on with the slightly V-eed hull and wider splashwell same as the current 22's. (or maybe a custom?) If the pre-87 classic then the hull would be fairly different from my 2002 Cruiser is why I ask.
Going faster and/or hole shot are pretty unimportant to me (although I realize that's partially what jennykatz is after for watersports), but the dealer fellow didn't know that. Anyway, he was certainly enthusiastic, and just because his boat focus isn't mine, doesn't mean that maybe I shouldn't consider a Merc. Growing up we had a small one and it was somewhat unpleasant -- always the motor the "loser" got in a race to our two little skiffs (Evinrude 6 vs. Merc 4 - big times!
) So I had just never considered one. But that was then...So.... a question for you, Drew:
Sounds like the 90 is more than ample for a 22. What I'd like to know is how does it do in the "very slow planing" range. Say 10-12 knots. That's of more interest to me. What engine did you have before and can you say how it compares in this range?
Also, I know this is subjective, but how would you rate the engine noise level compared to your previous one?
I know these things aren't exactly what jennykatz is after, but maybe they will help round out the picture for him - and maybe others like me who had never previously considered Merc.
Thanks,
Sunbeam
PS: Drew, I just noticed that your profile says "1989 22 Classic." So just to check, is it a classic (made up through 1986) with the flat hull and single motorwell aft? Or is it a Cruiser or Angler made from 1987 on with the slightly V-eed hull and wider splashwell same as the current 22's. (or maybe a custom?) If the pre-87 classic then the hull would be fairly different from my 2002 Cruiser is why I ask.
I saw Drewbird's boat last year at Friday Harbor and I'm 99% sure it's a 22 cruiser not classic, however I'll let him answer himself. I just wanted to comment on the amazing customizations he did on his boat. The woodworking in the cockpit and cabin are incredible displays of a master craftsman at work. I sure wish he'd post pictures for all to see.
DrewbirdII
New member
Yes, I run a 3 blade 15x17 aluminum Black Max prop. If I load the boat for a day trip fishing with 1/2 fuel and some water with couple of friends, the motor hits 5800 rpm @ 33 mph. Loaded up with 55gal of fuel and 20gal of water, wife, dog and what have you for an extended trip then 5400 rpm at 29 mph. With the full load it planes easily at 10 mph but the best fuel burn starts about 14 to about 22 mph. One thing you will notice is how quiet it is, with the cabin door open you will be smiling.
Jim.
Jim.
DrewbirdII
New member
Yes my boat is a 1998 cruiser, I guess I will need to change my profile. Not the best at these computers.
Jim.
Jim.
Yes I want a good hole shot but also usually cruise at 22 mph 20 knots at about 4500-4600 rpm I have a friend with the merc150 which is the same architecture as this new 2.1 engine with same prop gearcase .BTW he has over 2500 hours on a 3 year motor no problems so far. The yamaha has been a Great engine only problems have been lower unit seals twice (ouch) and regular oil changes and zincs .Jim
Do you have the flo torq black max prop with the plastic breakaway part ?
Do you have the flo torq black max prop with the plastic breakaway part ?
DrewbirdII
New member
It has the replaceable hub. I travel in areas like Alberni inlet with a lot of junk in the water so it just makes economic sense to use aluminum.
Jim.
Jim.
DrewbirdII
New member
I don't believe its only the torque but more on gearing. The motor can spin a larger prop by creating more rpm like driving around without an overdrive. This enables the boat to handle a much heavier load. The C-Dory loves this because its not designed to run fast and most of us like to overload it.
Jim.
Jim.
Jim , displacement is not what you prop for ,its the gear ratio that matters [for example look at the Verado, tiny supercharged engines with good power , but higher gear ratios ] . Low gear ratio [like Suzukis ] = higher final gearing number = higher pitch prop spinning slower . Thats the real recipe for handling a load with a 4 stroke's power delivery.
Marc
Marc
Marc the gearing is 2:38 for the merc 115 CT instead of 2:08 for regular merc 115 I believe .We are rigging the boat this week and then will try out some props
I went to a Merc /Yamaha shootout and ran 18 ft cc boats with a yamaha 115 (1.8 litre ) vs merc 115 CT (2.1litre)
Top speed was very similar 48mph in merc 45 for Yamaha but merc could run at 4000rpm and get 25 mph vs Yamaha 115 4000 rpm at 22 mph . The bigger gearcase is awsome I haven't had a merc since 1992 have had all the other motors
1 Merc ,1Suzuki,1 Honda ,1 Johnson, 3 Yamaha.So far the Yamahas have been the best by far . I've heard so much about the new mercs that I wanted to try it .
My boat is hull #3 for cape cruiser venture series 23ft and its placard says 120 hp so thats why I went to the CT bigger gear case engine
I went to a Merc /Yamaha shootout and ran 18 ft cc boats with a yamaha 115 (1.8 litre ) vs merc 115 CT (2.1litre)
Top speed was very similar 48mph in merc 45 for Yamaha but merc could run at 4000rpm and get 25 mph vs Yamaha 115 4000 rpm at 22 mph . The bigger gearcase is awsome I haven't had a merc since 1992 have had all the other motors
1 Merc ,1Suzuki,1 Honda ,1 Johnson, 3 Yamaha.So far the Yamahas have been the best by far . I've heard so much about the new mercs that I wanted to try it .
My boat is hull #3 for cape cruiser venture series 23ft and its placard says 120 hp so thats why I went to the CT bigger gear case engine
We have a few hours on the merc we opened it up for 30 seconds to see if it would reach its recommended RPM Naples prop wanted to know if the 14 1/4 by 17 pitch 3 blade S/S would do good . It went right to 5800 rpm and 34 mph and then we brought it down to 3500-4000rpm then down to 2000rpm we just keep on alternating speeds .This seems like a lot more powerful then a 115 hp engine .