Repowering to a larger engine on 2002 X

[SENCMac26x]

So, after spending the several months at the mercy of my less than reliable engine I've decided to start looking at repowering.

I currently have a 2002 Yamaha F50 and am considering moving to a new Yamaha 70hp or an Etech 75 or 95.

The problem is, one dealer already says he won't "Bolt it on" for me ... he wants me to get the engine, mount it myself and then he'll install the new tach/throttle/shiftbox/etc (if I go with E-rude)

Has anyone had this problem, is there a proper way to get "certified" for a larger engine?

One more thing, I got offered 1,000 for the current motor (that starts but can't seem to stay running) is that fair?

Finally at the risk of starting a flame war, I appreciate any input on the engine choices above. I purposefully ruled out Mercury/Tohatsu for the lack of service providers in this areas and still haven't ruled out Suzuki.

Thanks

[Erik Hardtle]

Hey SENCMac25... or Eric,

1. Take the money for the old one. I sold a 1999 Honda for $1500 and it was in great condition.
2. Throw an "Engine Mounting Sail Event" Several of us (me included) have mounted and run all cabling for new and used engines. And you are close to Victor, Billy and Me.


(I mounted and ran cabling by myself... not hard. Rented engine lift for a day)

I bought a used 2002 Suzuki for $3k at 400 hours, 4 years later put $3.5k into fixing the exhaust system. The engine has been very reliable and for $6.5k I still think it was great deal.

So if you ask...

Victor: "Get a new 90 Suzuki shipped to you in a crate and we will help mount it.
Billy: "Get a new 140hp Suzuki and I will get Victor to mount it"
Erik: "Get a low hours used 90 Suzuki or Mercury, and throw a mounting/sailing party!"

[SENCMac26x]

Thanks! I mean to ask this over the weekend, but could there be (or has anyone had) insurance problems if I try to get the new engine on the policy and it's over the reccomended limit?

I currently have Boats US and have been happy with them so far

[1st Sail]

Being a member of this board for 6yrs one thing I have learned is there seems to be no bad OB's's. True there have been occasional issues from time to time. I don't recall a particular mfg or model being singled out as a poor choice or inherently problematic. It seems the newer injected models are very low maintenance. I can only speak for the Etec as I have an Etec 50. That said very low maintenance, no oil or filter changes. Just the water pump impeller every 3-5yrs. From previous postings the Suz seems to be very quiet. You would have to confirm that with the Suz owners.

Considering the litigious world we live in I would be very hesitant to over power beyond mfg specifications.

[bscott]

E-tec 60:
1-starts on first turn of the crank every time, even after sitting in storage for 8 month
2-has 25amp electrical to charge 2 batteries
3-235# on the stern for good weight distribution
4-slim profile for swim ladder use
5-quiet at idle to 3,000 rpm, 7 knts at 8,500' altitude-14 x 8 prop, max speed 16 knts @5,000 rpm. Sea level performance should be 40% better @5,600 rpm with a 14 x 11 prop. There are a few times I had wished for an e-tec 90 but remind myself that the extra cost of a 90 and the gas that goes into it is not worth it for the limited times I could run at 25+ mph. My grandkids have a ball tubing, even at 60hp speeds.
6-no smoke and excellent fuel economy @ 3,000 rpm
7-best servic in Colorado

There is no outboard capacity plate on the transom and no OEM official warning about HP install--only conversations about a 50hp's ease of emergency starting, light weight and low price.

If you are 75% sailor and 25% power you'll be very happy with an e-tec 60--spend the extra cash you save on good quality sails.

Bob

[Hamin' X]

There is no outboard capacity plate on the transom and no OEM official warning about HP install--only conversations about a 50hp's ease of emergency starting, light weight and low price.

From pg 20 of the 2002 M26X manual:

The boat is designed for an outboard motor of no more than
50 horsepower. Do not use a larger engine.

I'm not saying it matters much to me, but this is why some dealers are hesitant to install larger motors. It's called: "LIABILITY"

~Rich

[beene]

The only dealer I have heard of that will install a motor larger than the manufacturer recommendations is BWY

From what I can recall, it was after I installed my 75 on my 26m that they started installing a 70 on their 26m boats

As for insurance, from my experience, they ask you if your ob is more than the manufacturer recommended size when boats are over a certain length

I dont think there is a legal issue governing the size of an ob when a boat is over 22ft

You may run into insurance companies that wont insure you, hit and miss....

G

[vkmaynard]

No problem with insurance here or self install with full 6 year warranty. Chatlee is one of the largest Suzuki dealers in the US. They will sell you a crate motor or install it for you for 500-700 depending if they have to derig your old engine.

Sea WInd (Pedro) had a Suzuki 90 installed by a dealer for $8500 (approx). So if a dealer does not want to work with you find another.

If you want to drive to Apex this Saturday morning (busy Saturday evening) I can take you for a ride on our boat at Jordan Lake to decide if a 90 is right for you. Then drive 30 min to Chatlee toward your house and ask about motors.

Maybe Bill P will be in your area this weekend and take you for a ride on his Etch 90 powered M. Ron and Cindy are mast up storage in South Port. Maybe they will take you for a ride on their ETech 60 powered M.

The M is about 7 MPH slower with a 90 than the X due to hull shape so you won't see exactly how your X behaves with a 90 powered M.

Just called Chatlee. The motor has gone up $800 since we purchased in 2010. Right now they have an $8,000 promotion price that includes a 6 year warranty for a crate motor plus about $1000 (we paid same) for the engine monitoring tach (not an option), remote ignition control panel, cables, internal throttle, wiring harness (get the short one) and prop. Yamaha 90 is +$1,000 more. They service but don't sell ETech.

The prop will need to be sent off to Blue Ridge Propellers to remove about 2" of pitch.

The only thing we've done on our motor in 4 years is a synthetic oil change once after break-in.

Not suggesting one brand over another. We just followed Billy after ridding on his Suzuki 140 X.

Victor

[Billy]

My insurance policy shows a 2001 MacGregor 26 and a 140 hp Suzuki. Never had a problem insuring it the past 12 years. Boats over 20 feet are not required to have a capacity plate which also list maximum hp. However it is not a federal offense offense to exceed the hp rating on the plate as it is considered recommended (per US Coast Guard) but check with your state regs/laws. As there is no excuse for stupid, most attorneys would probably use the larger hp motor to strengthen their case against you should you create a liability.

I have never regretted installing a large hp 4 - stroke and would do it again. I also do not encourage anyone else to do so as we each are responsible for our own decisions need to know our own limitations.
I think the pros far outweigh the cons as I get as good as a Honda 50 on fuel consumption. And when I'm ready to come home, I have the muscle.

Best of luck on your decision.

[Tomfoolery]

The Suzuki OBs seem to get a lot of good press here, along with the ETecs, as far as higher hp engines go. I'd love to repower to 70/75 or even 90 hp, as I use my Swiss Army Boat for sailing, canal cruising (no mast - trawler mode), and wakeboarding (mast up, mast down, no mast-trawler mode), all with my Honda BF50, but it's just a bit light for wakeboarding.

Gotta find me a late model used OB, as a new one just isn't in the cards.

[tlgibson97]

Since there is no data plate on these boats there probably won't be any issues as to what size engine you have. I have State Farm insurance and they treat a boat as three different entities: The Hull, the motor, and the trailer. I wouldn't expect them to know what a macgregor is let alone what size motor it should have.

I tried to get BoatUS insurance but they would only insure for what I paid for the boat. Since I got a good deal on the boat, I would have to prove every improvement done to the boat to justify the value. Basically told them to shove their insurance. With State farm I tild them what it was worth and that's what they insure it for. I don't overvalue it because it increases the premium. Boat US says they just want to make you "whole" and not for you to profit. I want to be able to replace my loss with a like replacement (minus deductible).

If I had an extra $3k laying around I would get a new trailer first since I typically don't motor that much anyways. But that's my own personal wish list. I'll keep this old '96 Tohatsu 50 running as long as I can get parts for it.

[raycarlson]

Biggest regret of my mac purchasing experience was not going with a much larger motor from the day I ordered the boat, I could have saved thousands of dollars not having to do it twice. This summer I had to use my new outboard money to replaster the swimming pool but next spring for sure Monkeybars will be sporting a brand new Mercury Optimax 125HP 2=stroker. Can't wait.

[Seapup]

I tried to get BoatUS insurance but they would only insure for what I paid for the boat.

I originally had Safeco then switched to Boat US. (both with the 90) When getting the boat us quote they asked how much I paid for the boat and then how much I wanted to cover it for. I told them I wanted 15k replacement coverage. The lady asked why since it was a lot more than I said I paid for the boat. I told her I added a 90 hp outboard. They had no problem with that or the increased replacement value and issued the insurance. (under $200 a year)

put $3.5k into fixing the exhaust system

Ouch Mid unit plug rusted out? The mechanic I bought mine off of says he regularly has motors come through with 2000+ hrs. I have put about 350 hrs on my 2003 in 2 years with nothing but oil changes and greasing the steering.

I currently have a 2002 Yamaha F50 and am considering moving to a new Yamaha 70hp

There are a few at my marina, they are compact little motors. My concern would be with their performance on a heavy boat. They are the same block as the yamaha 50s and 60s but rev out to 6300rpms to get the extra hp. The larger DF70A is the same HP, but puts out 30% more torque (118 vs 83 NM).

[mrron_tx]

Dauntless has a Suzi four stroke 70...it's quiet, smooth , starts without a problem , seems to give good fuel usage. It's not a speed boat... but that's not what I wanted , so I'm good Ron.

[SENCMac26x]

Thank you everyone for chiming in. After careful consideration resulting from lots of conversations with you guys, some fishing buddies and the family CFO. (She also doubles as the admiral)....I've decided on the Yamaha 70hp, based on the weight/performance, price, availability of service people in this area and a few other factors.

If all goes as plan it should get installed late next week when I get back from my business trip.

Once again, thank you everyone for your honest answers it was actually a difficult decision since everyone had really, really good reasons for their choices.

Since I won't be hosting an engine mounting party soon, maybe I can just invite you guys back down for more sailing.