Engine size

colbysmith

colbysmith

Active member
Ok, I'm not even going to try and get into twins vs. single here, as I've already searched through all the past forums for that, and what it comes down to me is I can go either way, and it's just going to depend what the used C-dory 22 has on it that I end up buying! However, I didn't find a whole lot regarding size if going single. I'm waiting to see one boat that has the Mercury 115hp EFI 4-stroke, and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts on having the 22 with this maximum rated motor, vs one that has a 90hp on it? My boating will entail local lakes, the Mississippi River, along with Lake's Michigan and Superior. (I currently run a single screw I/O with no kicker, and there are plenty of others doing the same to 10 miles off shore) Most my boating will be cruising, with an occassional slow troll if I decide to install downriggers. The boat may also be used with all 4 of us in the family, and might be pulling a tube, or just trying to get somewhere. Eventually I may well put a kicker on it, but for now again just wondering if anyone else is running the Merc 115? Thanks for input. Colby P.s. If someone still wants to bring up twins vs. single, keep it on a power issue. Ie, twin 40's are equal to 80, and again how would that compare to the 115 for pushing the boat thru water.
 
The 115 is the max power the boats have been rated for. Because they are very efficient (virtually no deadrise/flat bottom) they don't need much HP to bring the boat on a plane at low speed.

The boats do great with a 90, and that will give a reasonably loaded boat 30 mph--you might get faster with a 115, but to me the boats get a little more difficult handling at speeds over 30 mph. There are not made to buck into 3 foot chop at 30 mph--that will both damage your body--and most likely not be good for the boat.

You can pull tubes behind the boat easily--again a good tubing speed is in the teens to low 20's--same for water skiing. (I have waterskiied from 20 hp on inflatables on a single ski--up on two and dropping one)--you have plenty of power to pull a couple of skiers with a 90.

Even loaded for a months cruise--our 1993 boat with a 90 2 stroke was plenty fast at Lake Powell--(3700 feet). We do carry a dinghy motor as a kicker--and that will get you home or to safety.

The first boats were run with 70's--and then the HP increased with time. I don't think that a 115 will damage the boat, if it is run prudently. No experience with the 115 Merc. I have never been a big fan of Mercs, but that goes way back to the direct reversing motors in the 50's.....They have always had a reputation of being slightly faster than the OMC motors in the past. But as stated--all of the modern motors are very trouble free. I would buy any of them.
 
Thanks Bob. Around here, Merc is very easy to find parts and maintenance for. I am a little concerned if the weight of the 115, along with I'm guessing a need for a little more fuel than a 90, is worth having the larger motor. As I was told back in my pontoon days, you can only push those logs thru the water so fast, and a bigger motor might push more weight, but will drink more fuel doing it. I realize the C-Dory is fairly lightweight and doesn't draw much. So I don't necessarily agree with bigger is better. If the boat I get has a 115, would that necessarily be a negative tho, regarding fuel? Would it be worth considering trading a farily new motor in that size, for the newest 90? Would there be issues with the prior mount and such? Colby
 
I have an EFI Honda 90 and it has proven to have plenty of power. We use the boat to go back and forth to a cabin and even with 7 people on board (adults, but we aren't very big people), two golden retrievers, and gear for a long weekend the boat performs just fine and speeds in the mid 20 knot range are achievable. The downside to the EFI Honda 90 is that when lean burn control disengages and VTEC engages fuel burn really increases, so when the boat is heavily loaded fuel economy suffers dramatically. I would guess that a 115 might actually get better fuel economy when heavily loaded than the EFI Honda 90.

When the boat is lightly loaded I scarcely run faster than 20 knots, and normally in the range of 13-17 knots with the engine running between 3900 and 4300 RPM's. Even though my boat will run about 30 knots at WOT, the C-Dory hull just isn't comfortable at those speeds in most water conditions and it's more relaxing and comfortable to slow down.

Unless you plan on using the boat at high altitudes and heavily loaded, I think a 90 is plenty of power.
 
BLUF is the 90 hp 2 stroke is more than adequate.

I own an 83 CD 22ft, and it has an Evenrude 2 stroke (97) motor. Loaded minimally light it reachs 38 mph according to my GPS. That's plenty fast.

I pulled my son this past summer (250#) on two skis with no problem and had to trottle back.

We pull a tube often with two adults. I don't participate much...! I drive due to medical issues. However the one time I tubed.... WOW... What a ride.!!

Hope this helps..! It's an awesome boat..!

mkc
 
The Merc 115 is about 25 lbs more than the Carburated Honda 90--so it is not a lot of weight. I don't see a problem with that. I certainly would not replace a lightly used engine. There is not only the cost of the engine, but new gauges, probably binnacle and rigging.
 
OK, Keeping the twins thing down to HP. Yes I run twins, 40's and we do OK fuel wise. I recently re-propped, and I think that will help speed wise, because we were slow(er than my friend's with a Honda 90). They could (oh it was a single :wink: ) definitely run a way from me. If I was re-powering, and not likely now, but if.... I would go with twin 50's. I like the idea of not working my engine too hard. Typical cruising at about 38-4200 and speeds around 15 - 22 knots. My boat runs a bit on the heavy side. WOT at 5800 is 27 knots.

(BTW, those numbers are just off my memory which might be just a bit off :oops: but you will get the idea.)

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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