C-Dory 25 Cruiser - Real World Engine Upgrade Options

T

TenMile

New member
Hey all,

Brand new owner of a 2006 C-Dory 25 Cruiser that is currently powered by a 2006 Honda 150. While the current motor is running well, it is getting up there in age and given the type of crusing we want to do, we are considering a repower. Besides, there are no local Honda dealers close by at all, so servicing isn't clean and easy.

That said, I'm interested in understanding the differences in repower options. The local Suzuki dealer has some huge sales on the 140HP but I'm concerned with under-powering the boat. Interested in the performance differences at 150, 175 and 200Hp. While much of our time will be cruising, we do fish and "get there" so getting up on step is important as well.

Can anyone share their experience?
 
I've been quite happy with my Yamaha F150 four stroke EFI. That being said, if and when I repower, I think I'd like to stay with Yamaha so I don't have to change out all my digital gauges. Seems pretty easy to find Yamaha shops as well. And if a 175 existed, I might be interested. However I'm happy with my top speed (31mph) and fuel efficiency (5.0 mpg at hull speed, and around 2.0 on plane), so it would also matter what the weight of a new motor would be, along with it's fuel efficiency. I'll be watching this thread to see what others advise or suggest. Colby
 
I would have gone to 200 hp, if I had repowered. Several have the 200 Yamaha 4 cyl and it works well. The Suzuki 140 (current model, is close to 140 hp, but the older ones were more like 130==and a 130 was underpowered on my first C Dory 25.

The 150-200 Suzuki is the same block (in 4 cyl), and weight is about the same.

I would up grade guages and other features with the newer engines. Many have two charging circuits, You may want to upgrade batteries and cables at the same time.
 
TenMile,
If it were my boat and my money, I'd go with the 200. Same weight as the 150 and 175 and just a bit more $$$. This allows for when the boat is fully loaded for travel without compromise. It's not only a loaded boat to be concerned about with travel, it's also head wind and head seas.
PS, congratulations on your new boat, as you will find that you love it and can use it, no matter the weather, or time of year.
 
No go for the single Yamaha 200:
* 285 lbs (Add one child or small animal [45 lbs] and now you're equal total
weight with twins with fewer benefits)
* 3352 Cubic cm displacement

Go for twin Yamaha 100s:
* 165 x 2 = 330 lbs (granted, it's always stern weight)
* 3664 Cubic cm displacement (212 Cubic cm more equivalent to a Yamaha 8 hp)
* More prop area push for the hole shot and heavy load cruising
* Better slow speed control docking, less snaking slow underway

Of course, you're out more money for initial cost, maintenance and running but
the pleasure difference is priceless. Your choice.

Aye.
 
Foggy":14c7qkeh said:
No go for the single Yamaha 200:
* 285 lbs (Add one child or small animal [45 lbs] and now you're equal total
weight with twins with fewer benefits)
* 3352 Cubic cm displacement

Go for twin Yamaha 100s:
* 165 x 2 = 330 lbs (granted, it's always stern weight)
* 3664 Cubic cm displacement (212 Cubic cm more equivalent to a Yamaha 8 hp)
* More prop area push for the hole shot and heavy load cruising
* Better slow speed control docking, less snaking slow underway

Of course, you're out more money for initial cost, maintenance and running but
the pleasure difference is priceless. Your choice.

Aye.
Click to expand...

The Suzuki's and Yamaha's 150 and 200 weight the same, as does the 150 Honda they are replacing: about 490 lbs. The Yamaha 100's are about 360 lbs: or 720 for the pair! No idea where Foggy got the weights of the motors he is suggesting. Perhaps he is confusing Kilograms for pounds???
 
Whoops. Must of been that darn fecalith swirling around in my Circle of Willis...

My previous post about weight comparison, twin vs single, is incorrect.
Please disregard it.

Sorry about that.

Aye.
 
My 22 has Honda engines which have been good, with a few issues that I am sure I would have with any engines. What I have noted is that there are few Honda Dealers in Canada and often when I need to have parts ordered, it is easier, faster and cheaper to bring them up from the US. I live in Alberta which is not a great place for boats or marine mechanics. I boat mostly off of Vancouver Island and I see lots of Yamaha motors on boats and lots of Yamaha mechanics and dealers. When the time comes to repower, I would likely do it with Yamaha motors. Not because they are better than the Hondas, but easier to get parts and service for.
 
TenMile,

Great boat! We don’t have a CD25, but just replaced our 15 year old Yamaha F150s with new ones with Helmsman EX option 2 (fob engine disable, integral electric steering, digital shift, throttle and steering). 3 adds AP and 4 joystick controls. The fob makes it useless to steal one; that module costs over $1,000 and is tightly controlled by Yamaha. Another boat was in the shop for a repower due to stolen engines.

We love the automatic, background engine synchronization and ‘single lever’ throttle lever choice. I haven’t programmed it yet (we’re looping in Chicago) but the ‘trim assist’ option automatically applies a preselected % trim to chosen RPM ranges. Eileen dislikes trying to get up on plane while trying to synch the engines while watching the tach gauges and also trimming up all at the same time. Now the engines can do all that automatically, so she won’t dread that aspect so much.

I like the unique concept that if you choose AP and/or joysticks it’s all 100% a Yamaha product you take to your Yamaha dealer rather than arguing with Garmin and Sea Star about your AP failure. The EX packages are available on the 150s and up. The Yamaha 150, 175 (no longer available) and 200 are all the same block. The 200 requires premium gas and is not approved by C-Dory (max 175 4 cyl). In 13 years of ownership we’ve never once felt a need for more power. Full gas tanks add 500 pounds; we can feel that, but there are only a few segments when we need it while in Heavy Cruise Mode.

Are we the only Brats on the loop this summer? Last year we knew five.

PM or call if I can help.

John
 
I have started to think about a re-power too. I’ve been very happy with my 2006 Honda 150 but she’s almost 20 years old and I would like a bit more power when fully loaded. I would probably stick with Honda if they come out with a 4 cylinder 175-200. A local (Mercury) shop I have used for basic maintenance suggested a Suzuki 175 or 200 would be perfect for my CD-25. I would also want new steering, gauges and an update on the batteries and electrical cables.

I generally cruise between 15-20 knots. Would there be much difference between the Suzuki 175 over the 200? Also, does a re-power generally include an update to steering, fuel connectors, batteries and cables, etc.?
 
I was in the same situation earlier this year. I looked at all the 150-200hp engines to replace my 2007 - 1350 hour Honda 150hp. Victoria lost our Honda marine dealer, and The Vancouver C-Dory dealer had a demo 84 hour Suzuki 150hp has about 18% more torque at a lower rpm then the Honda. Tons of guides and friends run Suzukis, there are 3 dealers within 30 minutes of me, and the 150-200hp which seem virtually identical other than top end hp and torque and going much over 30kn in a Dory gets sketchy.

I cruise at about 22kn vs 20kn now. I may try a steeper pitch prop and a 4 blade to try and get more speed I currently top out at about 27kn.

I went mechanical and was happy I did, I installed it with the help of a few friends and paid a friend who rigs boats for a living to get the digital gauge set up and help me fix a mistake I made with the hydraulic steering setup.

The Suzuki 175 and 200hp have slightly more torque and would be a great option, I also like the Merc 200hp which has way more torque but the amount I saved with the demo 150hp will pay for 10 years of fuel!

I kept my SE Hydrofoil and I’m happy I did because I’d like to get the bow down more for cruising through chop. Put a couple hundred miles on her and I’m very happy.
 
I had just replaced both of my steering cables so kept them, engine came with new battery cables, and my seastar steering is in good shape so I kept it. I replaced my fuel line.
 
I have the 2005 C-Dory 25 cruiser and just got home from a 3 month cruise from Anacortes WA. to Petersburg AK and surrounding areas.
I replaced twin 150 hondas (2005) with the Suzsuki 175 and a 9.9 kicker.
My average fuel burn was 2.38 npg for the 2,260 mile trip.
I was heavily loaded whith a Rib and 2.5 hp Suzsuki, chairs , food to support and Army , tools and a lot of gear never used.
My cruise speeds where determined by sea condition and weather.
I prefered to cruise in the 18 - 24 mph range. I could easly reach 35 mph and did so through some of the narrows where tideal currents where flowing hard and people where waiting for less flow.
I was running a 3R16"x 17P SS prop and top RPM of 5700.
Best cruise was 4550 - 47000 RPM at fuel burn 2.0 - 2.7 gph depending on conditions.
Dennis in boat, My Iggy
 
kcassal":1w47uewr said:
My Iggy - you had twin Honda 150s on a 25? Tell us more about that setup!?!
Click to expand...

The boat came with the Honda 90's when i bought it, but I never ran them other than to make sure they worked ( 460 hrs ). They had a lots of rust under the hood and I what the dependability of a new engine for my Alaska trip.
 
My Iggy":2ly5niz5 said:
kcassal":2ly5niz5 said:
My Iggy - you had twin Honda 150s on a 25? Tell us more about that setup!?!
Click to expand...

The boat came with the Honda 90's when i bought it, but I never ran them other than to make sure they worked ( 460 hrs ). They had a lots of rust under the hood and I what the dependability of a new engine for my Alaska trip.
Click to expand...

So was twin 150's a typo, or do you really have twin 150's on the back of your 25? If you have twin 150's, what kind of fuel numbers and top speed are you seeing? Any problem with the weight on the transom?
 
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