Anyone running the Tomcat with twin Suzuki 140's?

matt_unique

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C Dory Year
2007
C Dory Model
255 Tomcat
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Napoleon
I'm researching a few Tomcats, one has twin 150's and the other twin 140's (all 2007). Dr. Bob was kind enough to chat with me over the phone about his experiences.

Here are the specs...the 140's weigh 410 lbs each with 124.7 ci displacement. The 150's weigh 474 lbs each with 174.9 ci displacement. The weight to power ratio favors the 140's but of course the 150's offer 29% more displacement and I know that is where low-end torque comes from.

I will almost always be loaded heavy with dive gear operating only in open ocean where low end power is more important than top end speed.

With that being said, there is a decent price difference between the two and I would love to hear your thoughts, particularly those who may own the Cat with the 140's.

Thanks
 
Get the 150's get the 150's get the 150s.

You will never regret getting the 150 engines, either Hondas or Suzukis.

You can still get great mpg at slow speeds, but more especially, you have the low end torque to work the waves or pull out of tough spot fast. Your cruising speed will be greater, or less damaging to the engines due to lower rpm per mph, and your resale value will be excellent.

It is a great feeling to cruise along at 38.6 mph, getting good milage! Larger engines seem less irritating noise at any speed to me, too.

The TomCat hull really needs the 150's to provide all around great performance. you can see the low sale prices on used TomCats that are underpowered. You can still run efficiently at hull speeds, even with the bigger engines.

John
 
drjohn71a":22l6e27u said:
You can still get great mpg at slow speeds, but more especially, you have the low end torque to work the waves or pull out of tough spot fast. Your cruising speed will be greater, or less damaging to the engines due to lower rpm per mph, and your resale value will be excellent.

It is a great feeling to cruise along at 38.6 mph, getting good milage! Larger engines seem less irritating noise at any speed to me, too.

The TomCat hull really needs the 150's to provide all around great performance. you can see the low sale prices on used TomCats that are underpowered. You can still run efficiently at hull speeds, even with the bigger engines.

I had a chance to buy a demo TC with the 2x140 Suzikis. I held out (and paid out) for the 2x150 Yamahas. Often wondered how much difference there was, but this is the first post I have seen that addresses the question directly. Thanks.

Warren
 
The price difference is $8000....

If she's totally underpowered with twin 140's, then the price difference does not matter.

If it's really close in terms of performance....then the $8000 would be appealing.
 
You would lose twice that in resale value, Matt.

John
 
These are basicially the points I made to Matt in our converasation. The torque with the significantly larger block is important. The Suzuki will swing 16 inch props--and I am running 16 x 21's. A signficant advantage in power up the backs of waves etc.

I neglected to say that I had looked at a Glacier Bay with 140's--and it sat on the market for two years. It was really loaded with AC, Two Furuno Nav net 12" screens, all of the other goodies--and just didn't move, because of the 140's. I suspect that since the GB is a displacement hull, that it would do better with the 140's than the Tom Cat, being a planing hull.
 
Thanks for the replies. My last boat was underpowered and I vowed to make sure the next boat has plenty of power. If I get the Tomcat, it will be with the 150's.
 
We have the TC255 with twin Honda 135's. We have never felt a need for more power. Have over 370 hours now. Almost all the time has been in saltwater.

The previous TomCat, a 24' had twin Johnson (Suzuki) 140's. We never felt underpowered with that boat either.
 
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