New Repower

We are about to push the button on a new Honda 90 for our 22’ Cdory. The 99 Honda BF75 is still running well and has some trade in value. I have shopped the northwest and it appears the best deal all things considered is a local dealer close to home in Lewiston, ID.

Because it is a significant investment, just checking the group for any last minute advice. I’m not fixated on Honda but can save a little by using the existing Honda controls.

As the blizzard rages outside, dreaming of boating... Ken
 
A new honda 90 should come with new controls I wouldnt use the old ones, probably wont work anyway. My repower with a new 2019 Honda bf90 installed with new controls and troll control option on the control box was $11,000 at a local dealer here in tacoma wa. Almost 2 years ago anyway.. I would go with the honda, 100 hours of use still looks like the day I brought it home the corrosion protection is phenomenal. I'm a industrial painter by trade and can vouch that in my opinion Honda's have always had the best quality coatings and paint
 
I would think that 1999 controls would be comparable with the 2020/21 motor. Motors especially in higher HP are hard to find in FL. Supply chain apparently disrupted by COVDI 19.

Some of the decision as to which brand would be directed by what service is available. If the dealer is nearby that is certainly a plus.

I have had problems with the coatings on my Honda's especially where there is plastic in the mid section. . I just stripped 80% off with a regular garden hose pressure. It may be that the boat has spent most of its life in the SE. More sun and UV exposure than in WA.
 
We chose a Merc 90 because you can find someone to work on a Merc everywhere you go. Often multiple dealers/shop.

Not so much with the Honda. Do a google search of Honda outboard dealers and see for yourself.

YMMV
 
Have you given Ryan at Sportcraft Marine in Portland Oregon a call. He carries both Honda and Suzuki. we have done quite a few repowers with Ryan over the years and they've all gone very well and have been priced aggressively with no sales tax.
 
Yes I did get a quote from Sportcraft. They were very competitive but by the time I travelled to Portland with the expense of food and lodging for a couple days it did not make sense. I also was not too excited about visiting Portland with the rioting and other nonsense going on.

Riverview Marine locally could match their price and would take my current motor as trade-in. They will do the sea trial across the street in the
Snake River with me present. Thank you though, I heard good things about Sportcraft.
 
So repower is complete🙂 With the reliability of a new Honda 90, I am wondering if I really need the 6hp Tohatsu kicker. We also carry the 2.5 hp Suzi for the dingy. Has anyone tried the small Suzi as a kicker for a 22’ Cdory in the event of a main engine failure? The 6hp Tohatsu will push our boat at a max of 5mph regardless of throttle setting, so wondering what the Suzi will do. Would be nice to reduce the 61lb Tohatsu off the stern, even though it has been an awesome motor. Just looking out the window at the ice fog and dreaming of warmer temps and boating🙂
 
We used the 2.5 Suzuki on our 25 on our AK trip as both dinghy motor and kicker. The 2.5 would push about 3 mph. We also have a Merc 2 stroke 3.5, which will push about 3.5 mph. Enough to get out of trouble, or at least steerage way.
 
kennharriet":2lm6rsde said:
So repower is complete🙂 With the reliability of a new Honda 90, I am wondering if I really need the 6hp Tohatsu kicker. We also carry the 2.5 hp Suzi for the dingy. Has anyone tried the small Suzi as a kicker for a 22’ Cdory in the event of a main engine failure? The 6hp Tohatsu will push our boat at a max of 5mph regardless of throttle setting, so wondering what the Suzi will do. Would be nice to reduce the 61lb Tohatsu off the stern, even though it has been an awesome motor. Just looking out the window at the ice fog and dreaming of warmer temps and boating🙂

Ken, do you have the long shaft Suzuki 2.5? I tried the short shaft on our old boat, without a great deal of success. I think the long shaft would do OK.
 
kennharriet said:
So repower is complete🙂 With the reliability of a new Honda 90, I am wondering if I really need the 6hp Tohatsu kicker.

Would you rather have a kicker and not need it, or need a kicker and not have it?
 
You make a good point. I have used the kicker a few times to get to a safer place to correct a problem. Once the thermostat stuck closed on the main causing it to overheat and few times I spun a prop. All of these can happen with a new motor.
 
I fellow C-BRAT and neighbor for several years used this logic: "I flew general aviation aircraft for 40 years, and never had a kicker on the airplane. Why would I need one on a boat? Take care of it and it takes care of you."

He ran a single Honda 90 on a 22 Cruiser. It always bothered me when I would go out with him on his boat, :? not because he didn't have a kicker :shock: but because he didn't have twins :lol: :lol: :lol:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_038.thumb.jpg
 
Also a good point Harvey. I spent many hours as air attack supervisor over some of the larger fires in CA and OR in a single engine aircraft this past summer, in some very complex airspace. This was with one of the most reliable turbine engines made, the Pratt and Whitney PT6. Even though it is a highly reliable power plant, the pilot always had a plan for landing if an engine failure occurred.

I think I’m talking myself into keeping the Tohatsu.
 
I like Honda's (keep it serviced....and they just keep working perfectly all the time...), been running them on the last 3 20+ft boats.

Honda 75hp 20ft Bayrunning no problems ~5years
Honda 90hp 22 Cruiser ~no problems ~10 years

killed the 2008 Honda 150hp running back from Avalon (salt water got into the heads from a hole in the cooling system, ran ~20 miles back had to disable the alarm, took the mechanics 3 weeks to find the hole in the head, guess I had a defective head design, heard stories of similar failures from ~2008 motors or the previous owner did not properly wash the motor after using in salt water, I think it was the previous owners neglect he was very old and didn't wash the motor as required....) repowered it with another Honda in 2016 on the 25ft cruiser already at 350hrs still running great.....and loving every minute!!

My oldest motor and boat is a Merc 25 2 stroke from around ~1976 still running perfectly starts on the 2nd pull and has never left me stranded the Merc is on a Welded Alumn Klamath 16ft Skiff, just ran this yesterday in SF Bay works great ~44years old....

Small motors:

2020 Honda 2.3hp & old Honda 2hp (clutch stuck bolts stripped but still runs LOL) and Suzuki 2.5hp (just finished rebuilding it has issues but runs some times) these are for the different dinghy's, the Honda 2.3hp is my favorite light weight motor and easy to clean...it just works....when I NEED IT

2019 Merc 9.9 electric start with a very small motorcycle battery for the dinghy while at Avalon for longer durations so the ladies can start it....I like ti but need to use a davit to get it onto the dinghy

I will be repowering again with another Honda....when the time comes!

SUGGEST YOU GET A NEW HR METER GUAGE, that's what I do

Enjoy,
Paul
 
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