Motor choice

[Starscream]

I wonder if anyone would participate in creating a database of Macs/Motors/Props for future MacRookies?

Just add your data point (motor, prop, ballast in RPM&speed, ballast-out RPM&speed)

I'll start:

Honda BF50A on a 26X, Prop: 11.8x9 4-blade, Ballast-in rpm/speed: ~5100/8 mph, Ballast-out rpm/speed: ~5900/16mph
Etec90 on a 26X, Prop: 14x11 3-blade, Ballast-in rpm/speed: ~4500/20mph, Ballast-out rpm/speed: ~5500/23mph
Suzuki DF90A on a 26X, Prop: 13.875x15 3-blade, Ballast-in rpm/speed: ~5000/tbd, Ballast-out rpm/speed: ~6000/29mph


If we get enough data points I don't mind starting a little share-able Excel file that could be linked to on onedrive.

[Be Free]

Drifter,
Before you go changing too much make sure that you can get service on any engine you are thinking about. There is a lot to be said for an older carbureted engine if that is what the locals use. Electronic (everything) is great when it works but useless if you can't get the parts or the expertise to diagnose it.

[kmclemore]

Drifter,
Before you go changing too much make sure that you can get service on any engine you are thinking about. There is a lot to be said for an older carbureted engine if that is what the locals use. Electronic (everything) is great when it works but useless if you can't get the parts or the expertise to diagnose it.

Agree. That’s why I started by talking to my marina first - I asked about what they like to service, what problems have they seen from the various brands, parts availability, reliability, etc. Your marina’s workshop, assuming it’s a good one, can be a wealth of good info… and asking them beforehand also shows you respect their expertise.

[pitchpolehobie]

Ive thought on and off about repowering from my 25hp 4stroke....If you dont mind...Whats the cost for engine parts and labor for the 60AV. How do you plan to get rid of the old engine? Craigslist etc?

I plan on selling it on Craigslist & Facebook. I took lots of photos and videos of it running at different speeds while we had the boat out this summer, so that I could then offer evidence that it's a decent motor.

I'm getting the Suzuki DF60AV (black) for $6,659 and the labor to install it is $2,500. I checked around and that's about the cheapest I could find in our area.

Thanks. Thats about what I thought expense wise. Not sure it currently makes sense for how I use my boat and my 25hp is bulletproof but I doubt much trade in value since its an original (though used only about 1/3 of thise years). Ill continue to passively consider it w any good deals I suppose.

[Drifter]

Drifter,
Before you go changing too much make sure that you can get service on any engine you are thinking about. There is a lot to be said for an older carbureted engine if that is what the locals use. Electronic (everything) is great when it works but useless if you can't get the parts or the expertise to diagnose it.

That's actually a major reason I'm thinking of changing, as the trusty Yamaha 80 2-stroke Enduro is extremely popular here, with easy parts and the handful (if 3 is a handful?) of local boat mechanics know them and can get parts. The newer 85 is just continuing the tradition.

In contrast, a 28 year old Honda 4-stroke that needs any help at all is likely to get a quick shrug and 'Tak boleh' (not possible).

[NiceAft]

Drifter said:

In contrast, a 28 year old Honda 4-stroke that needs any help at all is likely to get a quick shrug and 'Tak boleh' (not possible).

I have a 2003 Honda 50hp four stroke. It’s a terrific motor. I have a dealer close by to work on it……….but, if cruising, it’s extremely difficult to find someone who works on Honda’s. That is a problem. I needed such help once, and could not find a mechanic. I needed to get towed to a ramp where I placed Nice Aft back on its trailer.

[kmclemore]

Well, my re-power is complete. After much research and discussions with BWY, my marina, and he folks re-powering the boat (Suzuki dealer), I went with the Suzuki DF60AV four-stroke with a 14x9 prop, replacing our old Nissan 50D two-stroke. We tested a wide range of props on the boat, and the 14x9 one gave us the proper revs and best overall performance. With a moderately stocked boat and one soul on board it easily did 21 mph. We also upgraded the wiring to be ABYC complaint, replaced the battery switch, added a fuel separator, installed all new fuel hoses, and of course all new instruments. We are looking forward to a quieter, smoother, less smoky, and more economical future with this new motor.

Ready to pick up!



Be kind... I haven't had a chance to clean up the boat since last fall! But don't that new motor look purty?



Me and Josh, the guy who installed the motor from Sundog Marina in southern New Jersey. They were great to deal with and gave me the best price of anyone.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

Drifter,
Before you go changing too much make sure that you can get service on any engine you are thinking about. There is a lot to be said for an older carbureted engine if that is what the locals use. Electronic (everything) is great when it works but useless if you can't get the parts or the expertise to diagnose it.

[NiceAft]

Well, my re-power is complete. After much research and discussions with BWY, my marina, and he folks re-powering the boat (Suzuki dealer), I went with the Suzuki DF60AV four-stroke with a 14x9 prop, replacing our old Nissan 50D two-stroke. We tested a wide range of props on the boat, and the 14x9 one gave us the proper revs and best overall performance. With a moderately stocked boat and one soul on board it easily did 21 mph. We also upgraded the wiring to be ABYC complaint, replaced the battery switch, added a fuel separator, installed all new fuel hoses, and of course all new instruments. We are looking forward to a quieter, smoother, less smoky, and more economical future with this new motor.

Ready to pick up!



Be kind... I haven't had a chance to clean up the boat since last fall! But don't that new motor look purty?



Me and Josh, the guy who installed the motor from Sundog Marina in southern New Jersey. They were great to deal with and gave me the best price of anyone.

[Be Free]

That looks great and it's a great choice of engines. It was on my short list when I repowered a few years ago. I might have one today except for the excellent deal I found on my Honda 40. Congratulations!

[45Plus+]

Starscream - when I get my 2011 Suzuki DF60 into the water and tested this spring, I will add to your database. In my limited runs last year I found I was not getting much if any increase in speed over that last couple thousand upper end RPMs - just lots more noise. So I will be interested in learning about the performance others are getting given different specs. A beep from the console every 15 sec or so sent me back to the dock and ultimately a 80 km roundtrip trailer tow to find a Suzuki mechanic/dealer who could do the necessary diagnostics. I second (or third) the idea raised in this thread to use the best motor you can find with a number of certified mechanics in the neighbourhood. I am still considering the 9hp equiv. Torquedo as a backup ( but really expensive) emergency motor I can keep in a locker somewhere til needed.

[vkmaynard]

Real planing is around 20 MPH for an X.

Won't do that with a 60 HP motor.

The more rounded hull on the M requires a little more speed for planing.

Victor

[rsvpasap]

Do you think a 9.9 HP would get a 26X, fully loaded and with ballast in, to 6 knots keep it there? Do you think you would need to run the 9.9 HP at WOT?

[OverEasy]

Hi Kmclemore!!!

Congratulations on the new motor!!!
Great news! r

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[kmclemore]

Real planing is around 20 MPH for an X.

Won't do that with a 60 HP motor.

The more rounded hull on the M requires a little more speed for planing.

Victor

Well, I don't know... we had it up over 21 mph with the new Suzuki 60 that's on it, and I'm sure if I took off all the gear that's on board we could up that considerably.