New OB Engine

F

Flatsflyer

Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
RO Number
16388
Messages
204
Need to replace the engine on my 13' Boston Whaler, currently a 40HP 3 cycle. What's the best engine for m to get, all seem to be in the same price range and each Dealer says their is the best, Figured I'd ask the experts?
 
I would stay away from the three cycles... check out the Evinrude e-tec. Light and powerfull. Oh... I'd stay away from the four cycles too!
 
3 cycle was a great motor, especially OMC. I had one for years growing up and it was a work horse.
 
With some boats, a four-stroke that doesn't exceed the HP rating of the boat is still too heavy. Some Gradys are that way. Is motor weight an issue with your whaler?
 
If they aren't too heavy, you can't go wrong with a Honda.
 
There is a good Boston Whaler owners forum with a lot of engine discussions Do a search on continuouswave.com. I have a 2005 130 Sport with a Mercury 40HP two stroke that has been used very heavily for the last five years and is still ticking right along. BW has changed the design and specs of the 13 over the years, so you might check with that forum, and BW as to what weight they recommend.
 
The Whaler forum has a wealth of information. I have two of the older style 13' Whalers (Sea Sled Design), one a 1969 model, light blue interior and one a 1977 model, tan interior. The older model is a totally open hull, no interior and has a 25HP."C" model, Yamaha 2 cycle, tiller steer, that I use as a utility vessel to haul people/supplies to and from the beach. Even with a load of people the boat will run 18 Knts., it does take time to get on plane with a load. The "newer" boat, has a standard center steer, Whaler interior and I currently have a two cycle, Older 40HP. Evinrude (which I will replace in the new year or so), it runs good (25 Knts with a load, will pull an experienced adult water skier up from a deep water start but burns a lot of fuel. I will either go with a Yamaha 4 cycle or Honda 4 cycle in the 40 HP range when I repower.
 
The admiral has a 2003 BW 13 sport with a Honda 50 power trim and tilt (10hp over max hp, but that's what it had when we got it). It's too heavy, a 40hp Honda weighs about the same, and you really don't get the extra benefit of the higher HP because it handles poorly if you try and trim it out at WOT, porpoising. It might help if a jackplate were added. A 40hp or 30hp etec, with power trim/tilt would be my choice. If I can find a good swap to a lower hp/weight I'll be doing it ASAP.
 
After all the input and additional research I decided on a 40 HP Suzuki. Stayed away from Honda based on corrision issues and several mechanics said Yamaha is too concentrated on the high end motors and let the smaller one slide. Looked into Etec's but again mechanics said when problems occur and they will, the motor is harder and more expensive to work on. I had 2,100 hours on the Old Merc over 12 years and hopefully I'll get at least 1,500 from a new one. $7,499. out the door including new prop, instruemetation, console remote, new cables, trim and tilt, dismount old engine and installation of new.
 
That sounds like a good choice. I've got over 1,000 hours on my twin Honda 50s. But they do have some rust streaks on them. I have a friend who had Etecs. He had many, many more problems than I've ever had.
 
I love my Yamaha F40B, but it's REAL picky about clean fresh fuel. Ridiculously fuel efficient, though, and can make my Bristol Skiff go too fast. (I run boats for a living, and I'm very uncomfortable with that thing running near wide open.)
 
If you have money to burn how about the new green propane powered outboards? It has the features, it costs 3 times what a 4 stroke outboard would cost, they have almost no torque and the fuel is probably more dangerous then
E-10.
Bill
 
Not to mention if you run out of propane...
 
Kurt,
FWIW, OMC and now Bombardier makes a corrsion protectant spray that a mechcanic i"ve used for over 20 years sprays everything under the cowl and all engine bolts. Never had a rust problem or a rusted bolt head. My wifes honda had some bolts showing rust when I we got it. I sprayed it and no more problems.
 
Bill,

That sounds awesome. Do you happen to know the name of the spray?
 
quote:
Originally posted by Billylll

If you have money to burn how about the new green propane powered outboards? It has the features, it costs 3 times what a 4 stroke outboard would cost, they have almost no torque and the fuel is probably more dangerous then
E-10.
Bill

Click to expand...


Now why would you think that having a tank of propane at 100 - 200 psi on board a small boat would be dangerous? With pressurized flammable fuel running through hoses and fittings? You have something against blowing stuff up???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top