Repowering Boat, not a C-dory, but respect your knowledge :)

T

T.R. Bauer

New member
I am repowering a light 14 foot skiff and was wondering what hp I should be looking at to plane 2 guys and some gear. I have a 20 hp 2 stroke jet (20 hp at the pump) that does this job admirably, and weighs 150 pounds roughly, but I am looking for a 4 stroke prop motor so I can fish 4 stroke only places. Much to my surprise, I have found that the 20 hp 4 stroke motors are significantly lighter than my 145 pound jet pump. Go figure.....

So my questions is, do you guys think a modern 10 or 15 hp would get the boat on step and push it along? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks for taking time to respond.
 
I would go with the maximum HP for which the boat is rated. My guess is that it is going to be 30 HP.

I have a 14 1/2 foot aluminum Gregor that I rigged with a Honda 15. With two big people on board, it is a slug. At altitude (6000 ft), it is a slug with just me.
 
Hi Tex. We cannot launch our CD16 in Bellingham, WA, on Lake Whatcom because they have banned two stroke engines. Does not seem too logical to me, but not a reason to get rid of the 1991 40 hp Johnson that runs like a top...

texasair":2azxr1u2 said:
Are there places that do not allow 2 stroke motors?
Click to expand...
 
I don't think they are banning 2 stroke motors just motors that do not get a 3star rating with C A R B I believe it stands for California air resource board ? I think the E-Teks and tohatsu 3 star motors would be acceptable . Most newer motors will have a star rating on it usually 2or 3 star I believe they are shooting for a 4 star rating very soon . Ca C-brats can chime in .
 
Strongly recommend you look at the 19 to 25 hp Evinrude E-tech. Light weight, super torque, 2 cycle computer injection engine. Better or as good emissions as 4 stroke. Approved on Tahoe, one of the toughest lakes for emissions and used by Tahoe park service. I have one on my 16 foot open aluminum boat and it will hit 25 mph with 4 average folks on board, though it isn't a safe speed with less than glassy water. And that is at density altitude of 6000 feet. All they preach on their web site has been shown to be true with my own motor. It carries the 3 or 4 star emissions sticker. I don't remember which. They are not banned anywhere.
 
old two strokes that do not meet CARB requirements are banned from all California lakes. It has spread to many other states but I could not tell you state by state what the law is.
 
My main motor meets CARB. but I also have a little 5hp 2 stroke on the transom for emergencies. Would I have to hide it in the cabin? or as long as I am not operating it, am I OK?
 
Depends on enforcement. You are not supposed to have it on the lakes at all. I had several friends that just ordered new decal kits for newer Honda's and just repainted their motors to look like four strokes. no one questioned it for years.
 
Pat Anderson":1z4b4fcc said:
Hi Tex. We cannot launch our CD16 in Bellingham, WA, on Lake Whatcom because they have banned two stroke engines. Does not seem too logical to me, but not a reason to get rid of the 1991 40 hp Johnson that runs like a top...

texasair":1z4b4fcc said:
Are there places that do not allow 2 stroke motors?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Pat,

They have banned 2 stroke motors on the Kenai River in Alaska during the month of July due to hydrocarbons. According to the research that was conducted during the decision making process, the scientists found that about 40-50 percent of the fuel used by older two strokes was put back into the water through the exhaust as raw fuel. Since the ban the Kenai has yet to fail any samplings on any part of the river. It is just a matter of time before other rivers and lakes that are failing due to hydrocarbons follow suite and kick the two strokes off the water in those areas.

I appreciate everyone's responses, I am leaning towards a tohatsu 20 hp 4 stroke. Does anyone have any experience with them? I have a 3.5 hp dingy motor (4 stroke) made by them that is wonderful. I also have trolled for kings and silvers with it on the CD 22 and it is perfect for that too.

Tim
 
I went ETEC just last month. Best EPA rating of them all from what I have read. It shouldn't be banned. But I would confirm that for your desired location. I am extremely pleased thus far. Great hole shot and slightly better top end. Fuel economy is great! Required service every 3 years/300 hours, though I won't be ignoring the lower unit for that long, no matter what they say.
 
sweet pea":27g9mfjh said:
I went ETEC just last month. Best EPA rating of them all from what I have read. It shouldn't be banned. But I would confirm that for your desired location. I am extremely pleased thus far. Great hole shot and slightly better top end. Fuel economy is great! Required service every 3 years/300 hours, though I won't be ignoring the lower unit for that long, no matter what they say.
Click to expand...

The new DI 2 strokes are still allowed on the river. I personally like them quite a bit.
 
Check out the ETEC! Might cost a little more, but is less expensive over the length of a motors life. NO Break In Period, Less moving parts, Better votlage output, Oil is a little expensive, but it really lasts a long time.
 
The tohatsu is a great motor and the number one seller the world, just not in America. I would get one in a heart beat. Light and well built. you do want to make sure you have a dealer near by if you cant do you own service.

The etec's seem like great engines and if you need light weight then they might help but why mess with the oil if you dont have to? i was wanting one when they first came out for the light weight but with resent 4-strokes losing more weight its just not much of a difference. etec 25 with power tilt and start is 177lbs, tohatsu is 185.2lbs. so only a 7 lbs difference> what does the oil weigh in the etec???

on edit. the tohatsu 30 weights the same as the 25 so get it.
 
T.R.

The state now prohibits all the older non direct injection two strokes on the Kenai. The rule was only for one year during the transition.

I won't get into the ETEC/4 stroke debate. I have owned, 3 older Evinrude and Johnson two strokes, 1 ETEC , 3 Honda 4 strokes, and 1 Yamaha 4 stroke and worked with 2 larger ETECs on another boat. I know what I will buy if I need another motor.
 
Thanks for the responses. There is a very reputable dealer in Anchorage that carries the Tohatsu 20 (only 115 lbs) for $2999. Is this a good deal? Or would I be better off waiting to pick one up on the lower 48 the next time I go down and put it on the plane when I come back? I don't have to use it this year.....But hey I would like to.....
 
Warren,

I'll answer your question by ratings on a scale of 100. For motors above 90HP

Yamaha 150 93
Honda 150 89
ETEC 200 68
ETEC 175 67
ETEC 90 65
Honda 90 BF90D 87
Honda 90 BF90A 87

In the 150 to 200 HP range, the edge goes to Yamaha mainly due to the NMEA 2000 engine interface, motor engineering, and availability of technical information and diagnostic software. The ETEC 200 and 175 both have NMEA 2000 but the engineering design is not up to the Yamaha or Honda level, the reliability is significantly less, the fuel economy is not as good, and when you add in the oil, the cost of operation is much higher. We have run the ETEC 175/200 in charter operations for 5 years and the Honda's for 4 years on the same hulls. During that time, the only Honda failure was in a shift linkage that was repaired under warranty in year 3. The ETEC 175/200s collectively have gone through 2 power heads and several injectors with comparable operating hours to the Hondas. The Honda BF90A and BF90D I rate about the same, even though the BF90D weighs less and has fuel injection. Its fuel consumption curve is screwy because of lean burn, so there are some speeds you don't want to travel unless you don't mind how much gas you are burning. My experience with the ETEC 90, I have discussed several times. It's the reason I got to see how the BF90D operated.

I own two motors under 90, a 25 Honda and a 20 Honda. I don't have enough time with either of them to give an opinion, but they both seem very capable and I have no problems to report with them.
 
The 20 Tohatsu is a great motor . and $2999 in Ak is a decent enough deal . They are bullet proof . And they are not made in China,like the "American" E Tec motor . They are made in a suburb of the U.S. , Japan.
Marc
 
Tom, it was gratifying to see the Yamaha 150 on top of your list as that is what I have on my Tom Cat. However, I noticed that you did not rate Suzuki -- is that because there is no local dealer for you?

Warren
 
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