repower question
 

I have a 23' Wellcraft Center Console.

I want to repower. I want to know the lowest hp rating that will allow me to get on plain. I really don't care about top speed and I am not into going really fast.


The boat curretly has a OMC 225 Seadrive outboard.
top speed is 50 MPH
I would be fine at 35 MPH

I already have a bracket.



here is what my hull look like
http://members.cox.net/deshet/DSC00814.JPG
thanks

Re: repower question
 

I'd post this question over on THT.

The problem with going with minimum power is; you'll need to run higher rpm's @ cruise, which means more wear and tear and probably worse economy. I would think 200 hp as the minimum I'd go with.

Are you lookin for a new motor or used?

Re: repower question
 

Get rid of that bracket, you wont need it, but I'll gladly take it off your hands. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Re: repower question
 

Nothing less then a 200!! You will be sorry if you did!!

I agree withTIN, you go low its going to be working hard!! The gas will be the same as small to large as the larger won't work so hard, and that being said the larger will last much longer then the small cause it won't have to work so hard!!

Re: repower question
 

Desnet:

Although you indicated your not interested in speed. I suspect you'll want to sell the boat sometime in the future and you should consider what the others have posted. I believe a 150 would put it on plane but don't believe you would be happy or find it easy to sell later on.

Kamikaze

Re: repower question
 

I agree with these guys, lower hp means more fuel because of higher rpms and wear and tear on parts. Go up on HP if you don't you'll want to kick your butt later because you have to repower again because of higher rpm, wear and fuel cost. Also will be a better selling point later if you decided to get rid of it.

Re: repower question
 

I would think a 200HP big block design would be best for long life and economy. Or you could consider a 175 MERCURY, or a 150 SUZUKI. Both of which were lower HP engines but based off of higher output engines. But re-sale would definately suffer.

Re: repower question
 

not really worried about resale so much.

But I do worry about fuel economy.

I want a 4 stroke of course. But I really don't want to spend a whole lot of money.

Yes I am looking for used.

I have been looking on Ebay and it seems like engines pairs sell for cheaper then single engines used.

thanks

Re: repower question
 

Thats cause there double trouble!! ;)

Keep looking one will show up!

Go to some local mariner's, they always know someone who is going to repower and you might get lucky.

Re: repower question
 

A 4 stroke will probably cost $10k+.

What a bout a used Yammie HPDI or Optimax?