Motor choice

[WO2]

So I am looking to repower my 97 26x, looking also at the DF60AV, Marine wants $10,400 out the door is this reasonable price ???

[kmclemore]

So I am looking to repower my 97 26x, looking also at the DF60AV, Marine wants $10,400 out the door is this reasonable price ???

I’d say your dealer is on the high side. If you read down through this thread you’ll see how much I paid. That included new instrumentation, a new Perko switch, and considerable new wiring.

[NiceAft]

Kevin got a good price for our area. He did his homework. Take into consideration the cost of living between the two states.

Arizona has a cost of living lower than NJ. If you compare the Phoenix area to South New Jersey, it is the reverse.
https://www.apartmentlist.com/cost-of-l ... ineland-nj

New River is just north of Phoenix, but is it close enough to be affected by Phoenix and Scottsdale pricing?

[OverEasy]

Hi WO2!

Yes, that might be on the higher side…. City/Resort-area/sales-tax/peak-season pricing ???

Our purchase was back a couple of years ago and was in the midst of the COVID-19 logistics backlog issues which limited supply and delivery. However most Suzuki Dealers seemed to not Jack up prices… there was a couple of hundred dollars difference between dealers but not thousands…. but that was our experience.

We also started our engine search in the Fall when sale of marine items typically slacken and dealers are more apt to lower pricing and/or offer incentives. Mid late Spring and early Summer are the high demand seasons typically for all things marine as “everybody” wants to get out on the water…. So that may be a factor too.

We shopped around for reputable well reviewed Suzuki dealers within a 60 mile radius of central New Hampshire and found several that gave us reasonable pricing, anticipated delivery and installation. We did our own ‘old’ engine removal and control/instrumentation removal (as we intend to reuse the ‘old’ engine on our runabout) so that saved us a couple hundred bucks. New Hampshire doesn’t have a state sales tax so that saved a few bucks as well. (Don’t worry that your missing out though as I think they make up for it on the property taxes … ) Meanwhile places like South Carolina has a sales tax AND a separate engine registration fee as well as a boat registration fee (they love their ‘user’ fees down there . While we did get caught up in the unavoidable COVID-19 delays we were flexible and worked with our dealer so he gave up a break on the additional installation/modifications required that saved us some after purchase. This worked out to be fair and equitable for both sides.

Depending on your particular situation you might want to consider looking further afield for a dealer and possibly tie it in with off season or otherwise non-boating travel plans…. where you could do a drop-off and pick-up arrangement?

FYI Note: Check with your local taxing authorities or accountant… Tax Avoidance is legal whereas Tax Evasion is illegal…

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Starscream]

Dealers in my area aren't discounting from list prices shown on Suzuki.ca. The DF60A lists for $11,517 CDN which is about $8,400 USD. After that, there's $150 in freight, the installation and any additional hardware required (like a reinforcement plate, bolts, gauges, etc.). This is for the DF60ATL - Black, Electric, 20" Shaft Length, Remote, Power Tilt and Trim.



I'll give a plug to Precision Marine in FLA: they're probably the most helpful and least expensive Suzuki dealer I've encountered. For parts and service, they've been super responsive and their prices are great. They have an online motor quote tool if you want another price check.

https://suzukioutboardmarine.com/engine-quote/

[NiceAft]

Excellent post

Dealers in my area aren't discounting from list prices shown on Suzuki.ca. The DF60A lists for $11,517 CDN which is about $8,400 USD. After that, there's $150 in freight, the installation and any additional hardware required (like a reinforcement plate, bolts, gauges, etc.). This is for the DF60ATL - Black, Electric, 20" Shaft Length, Remote, Power Tilt and Trim.



I'll give a plug to Precision Marine in FLA: they're probably the most helpful and least expensive Suzuki dealer I've encountered. For parts and service, they've been super responsive and their prices are great. They have an online motor quote tool if you want another price check.

https://suzukioutboardmarine.com/engine-quote/

[OverEasy]

Excellent post

—-Ditto

StarScream brings up an excellent point as well that I inadvertently omitted… that of an additional transom backer plate to help redistribute the engine loading. We make ours from 5/8” thick G10 fiberglass plate obtained from Grainger Supply that we subsequently cut, drilled and radiused to size which cost us about $100 bucks and coated with epoxy primer and ablative anti-foul.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[green]

With a moderately stocked boat and one soul on board it easily did 21 mph.

Empty of everything non-cruising with full 24 gallons of fuel and two s adults on still water we hit 24 mph.

I'm considering the DF60AV for my 2005M. I'm finding myself wishing for more docking control with the current and wind, as well as some pick up on the water from time to time. Back at the lake I'd like to tow the kids in a tube, recognizing that we it's not going to be the most extreme ride.

My concern reading some posts is that I won't see enough of a difference over my 2004 Honda 50 4 stroke. But your posts are encouraging. Could you tell me if these are ballast in numbers?

With my 50 in the ICW I'm probably doing 8 with ballast and passengers. On the lake maybe 10.

[kmclemore]

With a moderately stocked boat and one soul on board it easily did 21 mph.

Empty of everything non-cruising with full 24 gallons of fuel and two s adults on still water we hit 24 mph.

Could you tell me if these are ballast in numbers?

With my 50 in the ICW I'm probably doing 8 with ballast and passengers. On the lake maybe 10.

My numbers are *without* ballast, and fins up. (Of course, you never motor above docking speeds with fins down.)

[green]

Thanks. Could you estimate what you can get ballast in with some passengers?

[OverEasy]

Hi Green!

Our ~24 mph is bone dry and empty except for two adults.
Loaded up for cruising with all our “stuff ”, full 24 gal. Fuel, a cat, a dog, and supplies we get about ~14 mph with the ballast dry.
When we add full ballast to the above we get ~10 to 12 mph.

The Mac26X and Mac26M were designed for 50 to 60 hp outboards.
We added a 3/4” G10 fiberglass doubler plate when we installed our 60 Hp Suzuki DF60AV as a pre-emptive ‘while we’re at this”.

Our current prop limits the engine to 5500 rpm. (We tried the next step lower pitch prop but that ran into the upper engine rpm limiter of the onboard computer. Maybe ‘someday’ we’ll get around to trying another custom sized prop but we’re pretty happy with what we’re operating with now.) This is fine for us as it suits our extended cruising operations. We also have an ablative anti fouling bottom on Over Easy which adds a little drag but keeps the marine growth accumulation at bay.

Hope this helps….

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[LordElsinore]

Hey OverEasy, what size prop do you use with your DF60AV? Curious since I need to try and increase my RPMs on my DF60A a bit since I'm short of the desired WOT range with my 11.5 x 13.

[OverEasy]

Hi LordElsinore!
I believe it’s an standard 8 pitch prop recommended by Suzuki.
BTW: Suzuki has a tech service that can help make suggestions.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[LordElsinore]

Thanks. I have an 11.5 x 11 on order and will see how it does. That pitch is two inches below what I have now and 4 inches below what came with the boat when I bought it

[socalmacer]

I know this is a conversation about Suzuki outboard choices. As the original owner of a 1996 Mac 26X with the original 50 HP Honda still in use I've come accustomed to a very reliable motor. For the 28th straight boating season, I've simply changed all the oils, filters, greased the required spots, put fresh gas in and changed the impeller on my outboard. When I went to start her this year, she kicked over on the first try and still runs smooth after all these years! I still see a lot of old Honda outboards on many of the boats in my area. With that said, how are the Suzuki outboards in terms of long term reliability? I'm considering changing my motor as well but am only considering a Honda or Yamaha at this time due to what I've heard on reliability. I tend to use my sailboat off shore and do not want to risk a break down. Anyway, how do Suzuki outboards compare when it comes to reliability?