Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: 1991 BW 17' Montauk Repower - Tohatsu or Honda?

Posted by Finnegan on 08/14/14 - 4:30 PM
#24

A few recommendations based on my experience with a Montauk.

If you are planning on using a Tohatsu aluminum propeller (I don't know how good they are in holding)
and for offshore Pacific boating, I would only mount the enigne one bolt hole up. That is per Whaler's specification and will assure you good holding under all conditions. If I was going to run an aluminum prop, I would use a Mercury Black Max/Quicksilver Black Diamond instead (19" pitch will give 42 MPH top end), since I know they hold very well and give great performance for aluminum. Maybe your dealer will substitute one of those for you. Since Mercury and Tohatsu have been working together for years building engines, maybe Tohatsu uses Merc props. I just don't know. I do know that mercury Black Max prop can usually be run 2 holes up also, but individual engine shaft length could be a factor. Some are "taller" than others.

If you want really the best performance from the engine, which has the common 2.33 gear ratio I believe, a Mercury Laser II/Quicksilver Lightspeed prop would do the job, 20" pitch, 45 MPH. They are the best prop you can run on a Montauk period, and better than a Stiletto (which I have also tried - not as good). In this case you would want the engine up two holes, and you will not have any loss of holding. If 20" pitch is too much, the Laser II is also made in 19" pitch, but not the Quicksilver version.
Shipped they are about $350, including hub kit, but check out Ebay for used ones first.

For safest engine installation, and for sound caulking to prevent water intrusion into the lower bolt holes, bolts at the bottom should go in from the outside, and from the inside at the top.