A "Classic" question.................

M

Mullberry

New member
I am repowering a 1983 22' Classic and am leaning towards a 115 hp. This is largely due to my concern that a 90 just won't quite do it when I am loaded with guys, gals, and gear. The issue with a 115hp 4-stroke Yamaha is that it weighs 401 lbs (a 90 hp weighs 369 lbs) and I am concerned about how close it will be to the water and how close the water will be to coming over the transom. Let me explain - the 83 Classic has a cutout transom and a false transom/splashwell behind - I am worried the extra 200 lbs??!! or so on the back will make the boat sit stern heavy thereby allowing more water over the transom and into the splashwell. Is that a valid concern?? Safety?? Any problems if the motor is half submerged??

I view 2-strokes as smokey, loud, less reliable, and old technology. Please let me know if that is an ignorant view, because it just might be! If it is, perhaps it would open me up to an E-tec (any good in cold weather??), Yamaha, or Mercury. Any opinions??

I would love to hear from other owners about the extra weight on the back, any safety concerns, or problems with hanging a heavy motor on the transom.

This is one of those very expensive purchases that I need to get right. I am not in a financial situation that allows much room for error.

Your thoughts are appreciated.
 
My '85 Classic has a Honda 90 and a 54 gal fuel tank as far back as it will go and I have not noticed any issue with it low in the stern. Have always heard that the Classic stood out in the ability to carry a load like that. If you are aware of RedFox. a 115hp and a kicker are mounted along with a lot of other weight on the stern. You can see his album on Yahoo Smallboat talk. My album here Elk-Tenn shows mine in the water. If it is any issue for you the capacity plate shows 90 hp max.
Ron
 
While I don't have direct experience in this realm, Greg of RedFoxx always claimed that his classic handled a lot better with extra weight on the stern.
 
Mullberry,

Here is the Red Fox rafted up to Jacari Maru.

They had supplies for a week and two aboard. Note teh 75lb generator on the aft raised deck. The power is a 115 Yamaha and an 8hp long electric start kicker.

IMG_0002copy.jpg
 
As far as two strokes go-

The Evinrude is nothing like the Yamaha (no longer available) or Mercury two strokes. They have been very good engines for us, don't smoke, and do weight less than the 4 stroke counterparts.

The Yamaha 115 is a good running engine that we have had on a number of boats we have sold, even powering a 22' Defiance 220NT Pilothouse with one. It was a decent performer, athough not a rocket ship.
 
Thanks for the info.

I seem to remember a picture of Redfox - tied to a dock - and the picture was taken from someone on the dock, facing the stern - I believe this showed how low Redfox's boat rode in the water - anyone able to point me to that picture??
 
Anybody know how Redfox attached his saddletanks to the hull?? I see that he used brackets, but could not discern how the brackets were attached to the hull.

Thanks.
 
We have a 2005 90 HP Yamaha on our 1987 22FT. A and I feel it is a super match for the boat. We have gone on two week trips and carry a 165 QT. ice chest in the stern and even at the begining of the trip when the boat is loaded and filled with 36 gallons of fuel, we have two 18 Gallon stern tanks, she sits mabe 2" deeper in the water. We try to travel at about 18 MPH at 4400 RPMs and it does really good on fuel. With two people in the boat and trimmed out she has a top speed of 38 MPH. The engine is very quite and just gives me the feeling as long as it has fuel it is going to run..I want to wish you the very best luck in finding the best motor for your boat. :D
 
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