Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos - Discussion Forum: New Motor for a 1974 Katama

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New Motor for a 1974 Katama
Brooke Lea	#1 Posted on 07/20/13 - 5:10 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	I have a 1974 Katama that I love, but the 1984 70hp Johnson we've had on it is worn out (very low compression), unreliable, and needs replacing. I used to be an East Coast salt water boater, but now I live in Minnesota and boat on lakes. The 70hp Johnson seemed perfect for the boat (much better than the 55hp it had when we bought it). Outboard motors seem to have come a long way in the past 30 years: lots of quiet 4 stroke engines; Evinrude's new E-Tec motors (which a marina guy I know says are as efficient and reliable as a 4 stroke, if not more so). I've never bought a used motor, and am unsure whether that's the best way to go compared to buying one new. I plan to do some skiing and toy-pulling behind this boat, but that's not the primary thing we'll be doing. I'd love to get some feedback about what my options are, and trade-offs between 2/4 stroke, used/new, and recommended hp/models. Thanks! Edited by Joe Kriz on 07/20/13 - 5:21 PM


Joe Kriz	#2 Posted on 07/20/13 - 5:26 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	We have a list of Current Engine Choices in our article link on the left sidebar. http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...p?cat_id=4 Here are the choices for the 16/17 models. http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=5 My recommendation: If you want a 90, get the E-Tec 90 @ 320 pounds If you want a 70, get the Yamaha F70 @257 pounds However, it also may depend on what local dealers you have so you can get better service if you need it.


tedious	#3 Posted on 07/21/13 - 4:02 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1072 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/07/08	Hi Brooke and welcome to WhalerCentral! The choice today is not between two and four stroke but rather between new technology and old. Both fuel injected 4 strokes and modern direct injection 2 strokes are excellent, and much easier to live with than older motors in term of ease of starting, noise, and smell, and they get much better mileage, particularly when trolling. It would not be surprising to find you'll go two to three times as far on a tank of gas. I think Joe has the choice right - if you're good with 70 horses, go with the Yamaha F70LA, and if you want a little more oomph the eTec 90 is a good option. With the eTec you may find you can repurpose your existing controls, which will reduce the cost difference between the two. Finally I will mention that both manufacturers run promotions in the early fall, so it may be worth living with what you have just a bit longer. When I bought my F70 I got double the warranty, for example - not that I've needed it but it does give peace of mind. Tim


Brooke Lea	#4 Posted on 07/21/13 - 4:41 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	Joe, Tim -- Thanks very much for your feedback. I've got a couple follow-up questions. -- If I wanted a little more pop than the Yamaha F70LA, what about the eTec 75? -- I have heard that the eTec's are easier to maintain than a 4-stroke outboard. Something about not needing oil changes and tuneup as frequently. True? -- Where do you recommend people should buy new outboards? There are tons of marinas and boat places in MN (highest boat-per-capita of any state, apparently). Are there "dealers", like automobiles? Are there large price differences depending on where you buy? Thanks, Brooke


wing15601	#5 Posted on 07/21/13 - 6:20 PM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	Put an E-TEC 90 on it and you'll be very happy. I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.


Joe Kriz	#6 Posted on 07/21/13 - 6:47 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Brooke Lea wrote: Joe, Tim -- Thanks very much for your feedback. I've got a couple follow-up questions. -- If I wanted a little more pop than the Yamaha F70LA, what about the eTec 75? -- I have heard that the eTec's are easier to maintain than a 4-stroke outboard. Something about not needing oil changes and tuneup as frequently. True? -- Where do you recommend people should buy new outboards? There are tons of marinas and boat places in MN (highest boat-per-capita of any state, apparently). Are there "dealers", like automobiles? Are there large price differences depending on where you buy? Thanks, Brooke To save a few dollars, yes, several members here have put E-Tec 75hp on their 16/17' models. It is however the same weight as the 90hp model so keep that in mind. Any good Evinrude dealer is probably your best choice. Ask around for advice and information about their reputation.


tedious	#7 Posted on 07/21/13 - 7:37 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1072 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/07/08	Brooke, with the E-Tec 75 being 60 pounds heavier than the F70 performance wiil probably be about the same. E-Tecs are certainly marketed as lower maintenance as you don't have to change the oil but then the E-Tec requires you to keep the two stroke oil filled. Once you get past the marketing hype they are probably similar. I would not buy an E-Tec 75 for that boat - go with the 90. They weigh the same, are the same size, will get virtually identical mileage, but the 90 will do so at a higher speed, and give you extra power for carrying a heavy load or whatever. And over the life of the motor the additional cost is trivial. Tim Edited by Tom W Clark on 07/21/13 - 7:51 PM


Tom W Clark	#8 Posted on 07/21/13 - 7:50 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 4280 Comments: 7 Joined: 09/30/05	...the E-Tec 75 being 60 pounds heavier than the F70 performance will probably be about the same. Total hog wash. I recommend the E-Tec 75 if you want to save $500-$2000 and do not care about the last few MPH at wide open throttle (WOT). Other than that, the E-Tec 75 is the same as the E-Tec 90. An E-Tec 75 will completely blow the doors off a Yamaha F70 during acceleration. For those who have not experienced an E-Tec, you don't know how unlike a convention two stroke the E-Tec is.


Petrus	#9 Posted on 07/22/13 - 1:35 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 179 Comments: 0 Joined: 10/08/12	Take a look at the Suzuki df90a if you like to save some money. Also low weight and no timing belt that requires expensive changes. I also like the E-tech but at least in Scandinavia the Suzuki is much cheaper. 70,80 and 90 has the same weight. Edited by Petrus on 07/22/13 - 1:46 AM 1997 Montauk 17, Suzuki DF90A


kamie	#10 Posted on 07/22/13 - 5:19 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 2975 Comments: 3 Joined: 11/04/05	THe E-Tech is an awesome technology and I would put a 90 on that hull and have all the power you will every want. The E-Tech is no oil changes for 3 years or 300 hours whichever is longer, and they really mean it. You can hit WOT as soon as you hit the water and run all day, hardly burning any gas. To winterize the engine, push a button, count to 10 and walk away, it's that easy.


Brooke Lea	#11 Posted on 07/24/13 - 11:44 AM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	Thanks to all for you very informative feedback. I'm looking into going with the E-TEC 90, or the Yamaha F90. Thanks again. Brooke


Brooke Lea	#12 Posted on 07/24/13 - 11:48 AM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	One final question: I'm finding large pricing differences (up to $1.5k) between dealers. Is that common? For example, for the E-TEC I've been quoted between $8,000 and $9,627 (both with controls and installation). Do those prices sound right? Brooke


tedious	#13 Posted on 07/24/13 - 12:49 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1072 Comments: 2 Joined: 09/07/08	I can't speak to the overall amount, but that variation between dealers is normal. Find the dealer you like best, and the cheapest one, then bring the cheap one's price to the one you like best and ask them to match it, or at least get close. Tim


petro29	#14 Posted on 07/24/13 - 6:57 PM
Member Posts: 35 Comments: 0 Joined: 04/18/09	I know its been said...Get yourself the 90 etec I have a 2009 with over 500 hours on it and its benn flawless..just be careful when you put the throttle down it will push you back in your seat..go from 2500rpm to 4500 rpm in a flash..All while talking in normal voice tones Edited by Joe Kriz on 07/24/13 - 6:59 PM


Brooke Lea	#15 Posted on 08/13/13 - 6:27 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	Okay, so I ordered the E-Tec 90 for my 1974 Katama and the boat place called today and said that the motor does not fit a hull "that old" and that I would need to buy a "Jack Plate" in order to attach the motor to the transom. Does that sound right to you? I heard from a lot of Whaler users who have the 90 E-Tec on their 17' hull and no one mentioned the need to use a jack plate. Thanks, Brooke


Joe Kriz	#16 Posted on 08/13/13 - 6:32 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Tell them to drill the "Green" holes. http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=82


Brooke Lea	#17 Posted on 08/13/13 - 6:54 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	Joe, Thanks for your speedy response. The guy at the shop was pretty adamant that there was absolutely no way to install this motor on my boat without a jack plate. I know that you're right and he's wrong, but how can I convince him of that? Is there a number at Boston Whaler he can call to get straightened out about this? Thanks, Brooke


Joe Kriz	#18 Posted on 08/13/13 - 6:57 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	No. Just print out that diagram and tell him to drill the Green holes as long as the standard top holes are where they are supposed to be according to that drawing. Some installers just don't get it.


Brooke Lea	#19 Posted on 08/13/13 - 7:17 PM
Member Posts: 20 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/20/13	I think this installer just wants to sell me a jack plate. So as long as the top bolts (from the previous motor?) are 1 7/8" below the top of the transom, then the Green holes should work with the 90 E-Tec, is that it? Thanks again for your help.


wing15601	#20 Posted on 08/13/13 - 7:43 PM
Member Posts: 699 Comments: 0 Joined: 07/14/12	Put the E-TEC 90 on without the jack plate. I had to show my installer the diagram and his response was that I would only be able to mount the motor either 2 or 3 holes up.. I took the 2 holes up option but should have opted for three. Edited by wing15601 on 08/13/13 - 7:48 PM I winter in Ft. Myers and summer in St. Joseph, Michigan. It’s now about 12 years since I’ve joined this group. I gave my 1972 whaler to my daughter and sold the 17’. Bought an O’Day 28 sailboat and sailed on Lake Michigan. Yesterday I bought a 2005 130 Sport.