Real costs/experiences of an outboard repower?

adamcu280

adamcu280

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As I continue my search for my first “real” boat I’m seeing a lot of hull options that I like that are equipped with ancient two stroke outboards that I can’t use on my local lakes.

Some of my boat owner buddies say “if the hull is good, you can just repower” while others suggest waiting to find the ideal boat that’s already set up. Figured I’d ask here to increase my sample size.

FWIW I’m looking for a center/dual console in the 17’-18’ range (tow capacity is 3500) so general ballpark of 100hp.

For example: this is a candidate for repower
seattle.craigslist.org

Boston Whaler Outrage 17 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

1995 Boston Whaler Outrage 17. Evinrude 90 HP V4 oil injected, 254 hours. The last year of hull model by famed designer, Bob Dougherty, (Designer Boston Whaler and founded both EdgeWater and...
seattle.craigslist.org seattle.craigslist.org

Vs. something more turn-key
wenatchee.craigslist.org

2019 Scout 175 Sport Dorado- like a Whaler - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

Scout 175 Sport Dorado with a 90HP Yamaha and a 2019 Magic Tilt trailer with a swing tongue. Built like a Boston Whaler but much more comfortable and versatile. Whether the day calls for a run out...
wenatchee.craigslist.org wenatchee.craigslist.org
 
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I don’t have experience with this so I won’t be much help.

But can I get a boat ride? 😁
 
I was looking at repowering a 115hp last year. With a tiller it was around $12k so those tro boats would cost about the same in the end. I would look for a turkey boat unless you find a hull with a broken or no outboard. You can get a good deal on a boat that doesn't move.
 
Scudley Do Right said:
I was looking at repowering a 115hp last year. With a tiller it was around $12k so those tro boats would cost about the same in the end. I would look for a turkey boat unless you find a hull with a broken or no outboard. You can get a good deal on a boat that doesn't move.
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I wouldn't scoff at a lightly used/refurbished "new to me" outboard if such things exist. Sounds like I need to chat w/ my local dealers; I'm not even sure how to dispose of an older two stroke. Guessing trade value (if any) would be small.
 
There are lots of things on an older boat other than the engine and hull that could need work. I bought an old Glassply about 20 years ago. In addition to the engine, I replaced or added trim tabs, gps/sonar, bilge pump, all of the wiring, floor covering, and some engine components. It could have used a new gas tank but I ended up selling it. I had it for quite a few years and it served me well, but there were a lot of unexpected costs.
 
I did two repowers last year. I'm on my phone now but happy to share my invoices when I get back to my computer. I did a Suzuki df60 and a Suzuki df200.

Both my boats were full restoration projects. Saved me money but you need some handyman skills if you do anything besides just the repower.

If you do go with a repower in that range, go with Suzuki. Can't beat the bang for buck.
 
Hard to know what's ideal without experience. The first one will be exactly that ...the first one.

Good reliable power certainly is s a priority.

I'm a little arima biased.

Best of luck.
 
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adamcu280 said:
As I continue my search for my first “real” boat I’m seeing a lot of hull options that I like that are equipped with ancient two stroke outboards that I can’t use on my local lakes.

Some of my boat owner buddies say “if the hull is good, you can just repower” while others suggest waiting to find the ideal boat that’s already set up. Figured I’d ask here to increase my sample size.

FWIW I’m looking for a center/dual console in the 17’-18’ range (tow capacity is 3500) so general ballpark of 100hp.

For example: this is a candidate for repower
seattle.craigslist.org

Boston Whaler Outrage 17 - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

1995 Boston Whaler Outrage 17. Evinrude 90 HP V4 oil injected, 254 hours. The last year of hull model by famed designer, Bob Dougherty, (Designer Boston Whaler and founded both EdgeWater and...
seattle.craigslist.org seattle.craigslist.org

Vs. something more turn-key
wenatchee.craigslist.org

2019 Scout 175 Sport Dorado- like a Whaler - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

Scout 175 Sport Dorado with a 90HP Yamaha and a 2019 Magic Tilt trailer with a swing tongue. Built like a Boston Whaler but much more comfortable and versatile. Whether the day calls for a run out...
wenatchee.craigslist.org wenatchee.craigslist.org
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One thing to consider on something like that Whaler: Compare weights of that Evinrude, what info you can find on the hull and the largest motor(s) it was designed for, then compare to weights of modern outboards. 2 strokes were lighter than modern outboards, so you may need to step down in HP to get the weight right. I went through this on my current ocean boat.

I got the boat with an old Johnson 225 Ocean Pro. I put my Honda BF225 on it that I had from my previous project boat. It worked ok, but was very obvious it was too heavy by the way it'd ride at certain speeds. That also got me nervous about damaging the transom with the extra weight. So I had an opportunity to repower and got the Suzuki DF200, which is a 4cyl (vs the 225 6 cyl I had), and was over 100lb lighter in the end.

I looked up a few weights for you: (all long shaft)

Evinrude 90hp V4 - 319lb

Suzuki DF90 (which would be about the same up to the 115hp as far as weight since they're the same platform) - 343lb

Suzuki DF60 (should be plenty of power for that boat) - 229lb

(I left the Suzuki DF70 and DF80 out since they're the same platform as the 90-115 and same weight)


So, not a HUGE difference between the Evinrude and a comparable hp suzuki now that I look at it, but still worth considering before you shell out the dollars.
 
Evan B said:
One thing to consider on something like that Whaler: Compare weights of that Evinrude, what info you can find on the hull and the largest motor(s) it was designed for, then compare to weights of modern outboards. 2 strokes were lighter than modern outboards, so you may need to step down in HP to get the weight right. I went through this on my current ocean boat.

I got the boat with an old Johnson 225 Ocean Pro. I put my Honda BF225 on it that I had from my previous project boat. It worked ok, but was very obvious it was too heavy by the way it'd ride at certain speeds. That also got me nervous about damaging the transom with the extra weight. So I had an opportunity to repower and got the Suzuki DF200, which is a 4cyl (vs the 225 6 cyl I had), and was over 100lb lighter in the end.

I looked up a few weights for you: (all long shaft)

Evinrude 90hp V4 - 319lb

Suzuki DF90 (which would be about the same up to the 115hp as far as weight since they're the same platform) - 343lb

Suzuki DF60 (should be plenty of power for that boat) - 229lb

(I left the Suzuki DF70 and DF80 out since they're the same platform as the 90-115 and same weight)


So, not a HUGE difference between the Evinrude and a comparable hp suzuki now that I look at it, but still worth considering before you shell out the dollars.
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Good info, thanks! I've been looking at weights since I'm aware of the weight penalty for the 4s motors. I've run 17' Montauks w/ 90hp 2s and 90hp 4s (both with a 9.9hp kicker on a bracket as well) and there wasn't too much of a difference in handling or ride. I'm not sure ~20lbs will make that much of a difference. Still, if I could lose weight and still have enough power that's always a good option. Like a Yamaha F70 vs. F90.
 
adamcu280 said:
I’m seeing a lot of hull options that I like that are equipped with ancient two stroke outboards that I can’t use on my local lakes.
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Story is much the same with bass/jon boats. See a good deal, click the ad, ancient 2 stroke Johnson
 
headduck said:
Hard to know what's ideal without experience. The first one will be exactly that ...the first one.

Good reliable power certainly is s a priority.

I'm a little arima biased.

Best of luck.
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I’ve operated plenty of Whalers and rhibs in the 17’ - 24’ class on the job so I’m comfortable with what I’m looking for and what to expect performance-wise. I’ve just never had to pay any expenses out of my own pocket!

I do like Arimas but I’m looking for an open boat and open Arimas are super rare.
 
Not totally relevant because of the HP difference, but a data point none the less. I got a quote for my old Tiderunner in 2021 at $7300+ tax for a new 40hp Tohatsu, side mount controls, control cables, new fuel lines, fuel/water separator, and testing for correct prop. Over double what I paid for the boat originally.
 
ffb said:
Not totally relevant because of the HP difference, but a data point none the less. I got a quote for my old Tiderunner in 2021 at $7300+ tax for a new 40hp Tohatsu, side mount controls, control cables, new fuel lines, fuel/water separator, and testing for correct prop. Over double what I paid for the boat originally.
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That seems really high. My friend got a Tohatsu 60 installed on his boat for about that or less last year. I'd have to check with him if anyone cares. But my Suzuki 60hp was a bit over a grand over that 40hp Tohatsu you mention, and Tohatsu is almost always cheaper than Suzuki.
 
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How
ffb said:
Not totally relevant because of the HP difference, but a data point none the less. I got a quote for my old Tiderunner in 2021 at $7300+ tax for a new 40hp Tohatsu, side mount controls, control cables, new fuel lines, fuel/water separator, and testing for correct prop. Over double what I paid for the boat originally.
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How long did you run the 2s? And how do you like the (“my” haha) Montauk in comparison?
 
Not sure if this still is possible, but if you are living in Washington it maybe cheaper to go to Oregon to elude sales tax which is about 10 percent.
 
Evan B said:
That seems really high. My friend got a Tohatsu 60 installed on his boat for about that or less last year. I'd have to check with him if anyone cares. But my Suzuki 60hp was a bit over a grand over that 40hp Tohatsu you mention, and Tohatsu is almost always cheaper than Suzuki.
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2021 was a crazy time for outboards. I spent a couple months just to find a used 40hp 2 stroke and the Tohatsu dealer here was the only place in western Washington that even had a new 40hp available at the time. I'm sure that had something to do with it.
 
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