70/75 vs. 90hp on 22 Cruiser?

Hi Marc, Dusty

I agree with you on the fuel issues. If one does not use stabilizer and use the engine frequently or drain the bowls, carburetors have been a nightmare. Fuel injection has gone a long way to eliminate the problem, but if the owner puts the boat away for a year or more without proper storage then the fuel pumps don't want to run. I have only seen injector issues on one of the Coast Guard SAFE boats that run the 225 Mercury (Yamaha) 4 strokes. Admittedly, the problem is directly related to fuel quality and not varnish or engine builder.

All of our fuel is at least 10% ethanol/chemical cocktail and the stuff barely lasts 3-4 weeks without stabilizer. The smaller the engine, the greater the issues. Idle circuits go first, then the larger circuits follow suit.

When the carbureted Hondas are running right you would never know they were not injected-same with the Mercurys. I think there is no bad choice as long as you accept the limitations and proper maintenance of the respective engine you buy.

Randy.
 
Just a quick update on my ETEC. I've got about 210 hours on the engine now. It has always started easily and run pretty well. After trolling about 5 hours last weekend I had a little misfiring for about 5 seonds when heading back in and then it smoothed right out.

From a HP and torque standpoint, I am always running a little heavy since most of my trips are overnight with two people or day trips with 4, I sometimes wonder what it would be like to run with a different engine. I know what my does, I just don't know what a Honda, Yamaha, or Suzuki would do with the same loading. I guess at the next C-brat gathering, we could try a boat swap and see what happens then everyone gets to see the other and make their own judgment. Maybe something to do at the SBS?
 
The reason I suggest a 90 is that working the boat over the waves, with one hand on the throttle and the other on the wheel in rough weather, gives you an extra edge in accelleration with the 90. Also with time people tend to put more gear on the boat--as it gets heavier, the boat does not perform as well. Thus although you might use slightly more fuel, the extra power will be worth the better handling.
 
thataway":3g2djp75 said:
Also with time people tend to put more gear on the boat--as it gets heavier, the boat does not perform as well.
Click to expand...

Boy is that ever the truth, week by week, month by month, year by year!

We all need to periodically lighten up our boats of the stuff we've added that really hasn't been useful or necessary. (excepting emergency gear)

Joe
 
This question is perhaps not as technical as people are making it.

I've got a 70HP Tohatsu on my 22 angler and would have to say you should go for at least a 90.

I could care less about eeking out another two MPH. I've got it pitched right, and ya I can do 30 mph when conditions are good.

What I do care about is when I am really loaded down. It's tough to get out of the hole, and then hard to maintain a good plane once I am. I'm burning a lot of gas, and pushing a lot of water when this happens.

Last year four of us went out with crab pots, and diving gear for two people (four tanks). Granted this is more load than most people will ever carry on a CD, but I was barely able to plane. 20 more HP would have made a huge difference, especially since it wasn't like I could shift the weight around.

I felt like I was in a fast trawler doing a quasi-plane. I would have handed someone a thousand dollar bill if they could have given me 20 more HP right then and there.
 
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