Tomcat 24 repower thoughts

A

akwagon

New member
Getting set to repower my tomcat 24 this winter. Need to order the engines now though…. “Covid delays”.
Current motors are the Yamaha f100 w carbs.
Lots of good threads on the 255 tomcat repower with twin 175 zukes.

Going after twin w counter rotation for the new ones.
I like the 115hp Mercury’s but the only dealer blows in town. Yamaha f115 are an option, but are a little pricey compared to Suzuki

The Suzuki dealer is by far the best from a service standpoint in town and happen to be the local cdory dealer also.
I’m eyeing the zuke df115 or df140 for the repower. Only draw back is they are a tad heavier.

I know the 255 tomcat has the Armstrong bracket. But forward of that the 24 hulls are the same as the 255.

My thought is go with the new Suzuki df140bg with fbw controls. And run large 4 blade props like the 255. Hopefully picking up the performance speed and mpg of the 255 with twin 175hp zukes.

Only concern is with the twin Suzuki 140 weight. About 30 lbs more each then the Yamaha or mercury 115hp……

Can the hulls handle this much power? Should I expect 255 twin zuke 175hp performance, with this setup?


Attached is the factory 24 tomcat performance with twin Honda 90s. The yamahas are similar. [/img]
 
I suspect you're going to have the fastest CD 24 Tomcat in AK. I don't think you'll ever quite mirror the performance of the 255 no matter what you do, since it has the Armstrong, which offers more benefits than just a place to bolt engines, but you'll go a bit faster than you do right now - at a tremendous cost unless there is something wrong with your current engines. But with that said, I do understand the want to do it, and do it right :-)
 
I had a 2003 TomCat 24' with twin Johnson 140's which were actually rebranded Suzuki 140's. No problems with the power.

There were problems with the 2003 TomCat that were specific to that boat and how it was built by Reynolds C-Dory. Hopefully a one off problem boat.
 
T.R. Bauer":r755mdg8 said:
I suspect you're going to have the fastest CD 24 Tomcat in AK. I don't think you'll ever quite mirror the performance of the 255 no matter what you do, since it has the Armstrong, which offers more benefits than just a place to bolt engines, but you'll go a bit faster than you do right now - at a tremendous cost unless there is something wrong with your current engines. But with that said, I do understand the want to do it, and do it right :-)
Click to expand...


The current f100 have under 500 hours. But they are plagued by constant small problems. Luckily nothing major yet. But still things that take it down for days waiting for parts. Our boating season is only 4 months. I’m trying to limp them through rest of this season.
I could save some $$ by repowering with 90s but for 25% in this investment can redo it all with 115hp plus.
 
Discovery":2h0ntvdu said:
I had a 2003 TomCat 24' with twin Johnson 140's which were actually rebranded Suzuki 140's. No problems with the power.

There were problems with the 2003 TomCat that were specific to that boat and how it was built by Reynolds C-Dory. Hopefully a one off problem boat.
Click to expand...


What type of performance did you get with the 140s?
 
akwagon":lp0nfygz said:
T.R. Bauer":lp0nfygz said:
I suspect you're going to have the fastest CD 24 Tomcat in AK. I don't think you'll ever quite mirror the performance of the 255 no matter what you do, since it has the Armstrong, which offers more benefits than just a place to bolt engines, but you'll go a bit faster than you do right now - at a tremendous cost unless there is something wrong with your current engines. But with that said, I do understand the want to do it, and do it right :-)
Click to expand...


The current f100 have under 500 hours. But they are plagued by constant small problems. Luckily nothing major yet. But still things that take it down for days waiting for parts. Our boating season is only 4 months. I’m trying to limp them through rest of this season.
I could save some $$ by repowering with 90s but for 25% in this investment can redo it all with 115hp plus.
Click to expand...

I hear that (I live in AK too) and completely understand as I go through that with my ancient old Hondas frequently myself. But, I'm the one working on them so no waiting for an appointment. And for whatever the reason, the internet can deliver parts to my door WAY faster than any dealer will in the state.

I'm from the camp where you should put as much power on it as possible as it is far better to have some in reserve than it is to wish you had more power at hand later. You're correct in researching this. And, I find myself pondering repowering with twin 70s when my CD 22 is fully loaded for a long multi day trip in PWS when the seas are flat glass and here I am putting along because somebody in risk management in corporate headquarters thinks I will kill myself with more power. If they were running Kawasaki, the Ninja motorcycle would have 20 hp and a speed limiter for 55 mph. When the time is right, I will have the fastest CD 22 in AK.....lol....Or, I'll just get a cat like you :-)
 
The info from cdory is contradictory with max hp in these 24 tomcat. It does state max 900 lbs transom weight for motors, rigging, props, bats. The zuke df140 twin setup will prob be in more the 950 lb range. I do see some 24 tomcats running around with generator setups on the swim platform successfully. That’s has to be pushing a lot more then 950lbs total especially hanging that far back.

Luckily the engine hasn’t had anything major yet. Not looking forward to when all 4 carbs need rebuilt and synced 🤦🏼‍♂️
 
I know this has been yakked on before but a bracket has a lot going for it and having a full transom is my taste. Personally as I am spending mythical dollars on my pretend boat, I would go for the largest combo of single main plus 20-25hp kicker plus a Honda generator that stays in the right weight range. I would love to have an outside helm and full function control on both motors. The Zuk 200 is 530 lbs, the 250 is 660 lbs, the 30 is 163 lbs, and the Honda 2000i is 50. That means you can do it all on the transom you have or add a bracket with the added floatation and be well under the limit. The bigger Zuks now have fly by wire which means no hard cables and lots of data plus my guess is that twin engine set up is easier. This all being said, my 13 foot tinny has an 8hp Merc. Have a safe 4th and watch out that the puppies do not go crazy from the fireworks. Bob Jarrard
 
I repowered last November from 2003 Honda 90's to 2020 Suzuki 90's. My two main criteria were weight and cost. Motor for motor the Suzuki's are lighter, the price was right. I got better performance and about 20% better fuel economy. Cruise enough and that alone will pay for the motors. Would I do it again? Might reconsider to the 115's but not enough to make me regret my decision. I certainly don't want anymore weight back there and can't imagine I'd want to run the boat any harder than I can with the 90's but then I live in Florida, not Alaska. I am one of those with a generator on board, rooftop AC, two Kayaks, grill and all manner of gear, bedding, fishing stuff, computers, food and I only drink beer from bottles so there is a lot of weight.

I don't have any numbers to offer but I don't think you could go wrong with the 115's. Not sure you can get counter rotating below a 140. I know it was not an option with the 90.Do I think the boat could handle the 140's.....Yes, but......

James
 
Molly Brown":1bxszqav said:
I repowered last November from 2003 Honda 90's to 2020 Suzuki 90's. My two main criteria were weight and cost. Motor for motor the Suzuki's are lighter, the price was right. I got better performance and about 20% better fuel economy. Cruise enough and that alone will pay for the motors. Would I do it again? Might reconsider to the 115's but not enough to make me regret my decision. I certainly don't want anymore weight back there and can't imagine I'd want to run the boat any harder than I can with the 90's but then I live in Florida, not Alaska. I am one of those with a generator on board, rooftop AC, two Kayaks, grill and all manner of gear, bedding, fishing stuff, computers, food and I only drink beer from bottles so there is a lot of weight.

I don't have any numbers to offer but I don't think you could go wrong with the 115's. Not sure you can get counter rotating below a 140. I know it was not an option with the 90.Do I think the boat could handle the 140's.....Yes, but......

James
Click to expand...


Thanks for the insight. I was looking at pics of your tomcat. I do think new 90s would give better economy and a tad better performance. Since I’m investing in this, I figured might as well upgrade as much as I can.
Mercury, Yamaha and zuke all have counter rotation at 115hp.
The Suzuki 115hp is the exact same motor as the zuke 140hp motor. The 140hp is actually a few pounds lighter then the 115hp due to lighter weight manifold.
If my info is correct the 140hp zukes only weigh 20lbs more each then my current f100s.
I do run heavy with usually several people and full fuel and fishing gear. No gen set though.

The mercury 115hp, comes counter rotation is very light weight and is a “strong” 115hp. But like I said the only local dealer (a big box store) blows.
 
Mercury's were my first choice but the dealer with the best price was miles away and a real hassle to get to. 6 miles from my house was a Suzuki dealer, motor at a good price. They gave me a break on the rigging cost and were nice people to deal with so that clinched the deal for me.

Best of luck on your repower. You won't regret it no matter which brand you get. Starting the Suzuki's is really nice compared to the carbureted Honda's that were very cold blooded. My start procedure with those was two fingers to turn the key and my pinky to hit the choke switch to keep "em going till they warmed up a little. Now, I just turn the key and let go....motor does everything automatically. Just awesome...

James
 
So I am in the process of finishing up a long overdue 2001 Tomcat 24 rebuild. I sold the two Yamaha 100s that were on there and purchased a pair of 2003 JohnSuki 140s. Unfortunately, I can't give you any real world experience, but I was pretty comfortable in the research that a pair of 140s was a good way to go. I have about 650 hours on my zuke 140 that is mounted on my caracal. It has been wonderful. The Yamaha 100s I removed were 366lbs. The JohnSukis are 425lbs. Although, I have the ability to move the new fuel tanks that I am putting it. I am also putting in all lithium batteries. That right there will save me 42lbs on the transom. Personally, I would do the 140s over the 115s all day long. It even saves you 14lbs on the transom. I actually have phone numbers for two guys I need to talk to about outboard weight. One has a pair of 135 hondas that weigh 485lbs on his 24. One other guy I want to chat with has 175 suzukis on his 24 that weigh 529lbs. The new 140B motors looks pretty exciting and would be my personal choice right now if I was getting brand new power.
 
I would suggest the engine decision is best determined by evaluating what you are looking for compared to your current 100 hp engines. I just repowered from Tohatsu 115s to Mercury 90s. (It took over 6 months of waiting due to covid delays.). For me the Tohatsus were more power then I needed. I could touch 40 knots but always ran boat around 20 knots. I only have 3 hours on the new Mercs but so far I am happy with my decision. These engines go about 28 kts top speed, but I slightly underpropped, so with correct props, top speed should be just over 30 kts. I like how the boat handles when it is light, so reducing the engine weight was a big motivation for me. Will the transom handle 140s? Definetly! I have notice on the "Growing up salty" videos that he is running Honda 135s. Much heavier than suzi 140s. I believe the transom weight numbers in the owners manual are overly conservative. With suzi 140s you will still be running higher in the water compared to the Tomcat 255s. If the boat feels transom heavy, you can always put some ballast in the bow. I also believe having a good, close dealer that you are happy working with is more important than the engine brand.
-Jeff-
 
Considering you run heavy most of the time with people and fishing, you will want all the power you can get. The 140s are great machines and I have heard lots of great things about them at the dock. The only thing I'd be concerned with as I am reasonably certain they take premium octane fuel that you may or may not find at the fuel dock to make the full 140 hp.
 
Plus one for the df140. I’d take advantage of the high resale value of your low hour 100’s. My buddy had the same yami 100 and lots a few weeks and really out a damper on his season last year.
 
The F100 just hit Craigslist. Done chasing problems. And all local Yamaha repair shops backed up for months

Almost caught whole boat on fire last lake trial

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