Merc 115 repower

D

doubles

New member
Looking for feedback in swapping a 2004 Merc 115hp 4 stroke (386 lb) onto my 1990 22' Angler. Boat plate is rated for 90 hp, but ?? My other option is to repower with new Suzuki 90 (341 lbs). The 1995 Yami 90 has put in a useful life!

Since I own the Merc was leaning that way, but am looking for other opinions.
 
I have that engine on my 1989 22 cruiser and like it much better than the 90 yamaha on my last cruiser. I let the insurance co. know and advised them that C-Dory allows a 115 now. They were ok with it.

25 extra hp with 17 extra pounds

22 1/2 knots cruise
 
A 90 hp Suzuki brand new or a 10 year old merc...no brainer for me since you said the new engine was an option. Go with the Suzuki. Saves transom weight, and a lot of technology has gone under the bridge for better stuff in the past 10 years. I think the HP difference is minimal. Yeah it'll MAYBE go faster. You'll likely take a hit on fuel consumption withe the older merc, specially if it is carb'd. The 22's from all I can see do just fine with 90's.

It sounds like you have been happy with the 90 hp Yami. The new Suzuki will outperform your 19 year old Yami, so, however your current engine drove the boat, the new Suzi will do as well, and likely much better.
 
I am not going to save you… I would also vote for the Suzuki 90. The boats will handle the 115--not really any difference--in fact the older boat may be better built than some of the newer ones (didn't say new or current builder).

The Merc may go faster, but the 22's get a little squirrelly when you get over 30 mph…But I have only done this with a light weight 90 on a light weight boat...
 
Spoke with current factory and they confirmed it will handle the weight. As boats over 20' do not have to have a spec plate, will probably remove and share current spec sheet with insurance company for their approval.
 
Further thoughts on the 115 vs 90:
I've tried both and I think the 115 is, for me, more suited to the boat than the 90. I like to cruise at 20 knots at around 4000-4200 rpm. The 90 needs to be close to 4800-5000 rpm to cruise at 20 knots. I tried a 15 and 17 pitch prop on my 90. There is a big difference in noise (and fuel burn) at 4000 or 5000 rpm. The weight is a non issue as even now the 115 is not much heavier than the 90, and is now allowable on the new 22's.

It is a big boat and I tend to load it and do not believe that a 115 is too large an engine. I had 8 people on my boat 2 weeks ago and cruised effortlessly at 22.5 knots. It seemed as though the 115 was unaffected by the load.

Now my dream boat would be a 25 or 26 with a 175 or 200...

Lets us know how you like it, no matter what you decide.
 
I was at Jacobsen Marine today in Seattle and they had a 2010 Yamaha F115 for sale. The price was $6500. You might be able to negotiate the price down or get them to perform some rigging as part of a deal.

If you stay with Yamaha, you might be able to use your gauges and controls which would save you some money.

Not a new engine, but might still save you 1/2 the cost of new when all is said and done.
 
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