90 Hp

[bugman]

My 15 year old Honda 50 is getting tired so I have been looking around for a motor to replace it with. I wanted a move up to 70hp motor ( The 50 seems a little under powered) and I would like to pull the kids on a water toy some times. I found a 2003 Honda 90 for less than half the price of a new 70 motor and it comes with a dealer warranty. I have a 96 Mac 26x

Here are my questions:
That is a lot of weight to have hanging off the stern well trailering should that be a worry?
How dose all the weight effect how the boat sails?
And dose the helm seat get in the way when the motor is lifted out of the water?
With a motor of this size and power dose the transom need to be modified?

Thanks for your input.

[Trouts Dream]

I have a yamaha 2 stroke 90 HP on the back of my 97 X for 2 years now

I didn't reinforce the transom and have had no gel cracks as of yet so no flexing, others have reinforced with straps on the inside.
It also fits under my seat but it is a 2 stroke and is only 80 lbs heavier than the previous engine.

As far as weight, the X is stern heavy in general compared to the M so I had to move batteries forward under the berthand my water storage is in the same place. The boat is still a bit stern heavy but I haven't noticed anything different under sail.

[Erik Hardtle]

I recently upgraded to a used 2002 Suzuki 90 hp to replace my rusting Honda 50. I need the extra push because I have a lot of weight on board:

100 lb centerboard
Engle Fridge
2 Gel batteries
Microwave oven
2 nine gallon gas tanks
2 20 lbs anchors
2000 honda generator

See my website mods for pictures and details.



The 90 is heavier than the 50, if you have the original trailer than fishtailing might be a problem. I have a longer galvanized trailer so weight is not a problem.

I don't see any problem with sailing, seem to be the same as before.

The helm seat is clear from the motor, so you should not have a problem.

I opted to bulk up the transom with some aluminum plates and wedges on the outside, better safe than sorry. Seems to be working fine.

There are two other X er's on here... Billy on Double Cross (XX) put a 145 on his (same engine block as mine) and Victor on Compromise put on a new 90 Suzuki (has a small size engine than mine, about the size of the Honda 50).

Good Luck
Erik
KnotShore

[bscott]

If you are using the stock steel trailer you will have to find a way to move the boat forward on the trailer other wise you will not have adequate tongue weight to keep the trailer from swaying.
I like to trailer my with full gas tanks and gear in the cockpit so I added a sliding tandem axle slightly forward of the original location to my trailer.

Bob

[bugman]

Thank you for your input. I have a tandem axle trailer with bunks that go to the stern, it is older but should have no problem with the extra weight. I was more concerned with damaging the hull.