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New motor for 1998 Dauntless 15
gary0319	#1  Posted on 11/27/13 - 12:05 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	Hi all, The search is just beginning for the replacement for my 1998 60 Merc 2 stroke. Actually, the Merc runs fine and the performance is right about where I want it ( 34mph WOT, great hole shot with 12X11 pitch Stiletto, 5 +/-mpg, plane at 15mph with Dole Fin), but I can never leave well enough alone and so I'm considering a newer 4 stroke to replace the Merc. Top on my list is a 60 Yamaha small gear case because local service is best on the Yamahas. My concern is that I not introduce any more stern weight than I have to get the same performance. My Merc has a dry weight of 219 lbs., although some think it is closer to 300 lbs., depending on what you read. The F60 Yamaha is either 237lbs or 247lbs, again, depending on what specs you're looking at. The new F70 looks interesting, but the weight is up at 260 lbs. I'd like to keep my scuppers above the water and I'm afraid the 260 lbs of the F70 will sink them. Below are a couple of pics of my scuppers with the Merc 60. So here's my open ended questions...... 1) Will the F60 come close to the performance of my Merc 2 stroke, and what prop would I try to get me out of the hole in quick order (I'm about 3 secs. to plane with the Merc). 2) How much weight can I really add before my scuppers drown? If you check my Personal Page I have a couple of pics showing my scuppers while at anchor. All help is appreciated Gary 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
Joe Kriz	#2  Posted on 11/27/13 - 12:16 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	The 1998 Dauntless 15' is rated for max hp of 75. If you are leaning towards the Yamaha, I would think the F70 @ 257 pounds would be a good choice. You are only talking about 8 more pounds then the F60 @ 249 pounds. The only accurate weights we can go by is what is listed on the Yamaha site. (unless someone has a manual that states differently) http://www.yamahaoutboards.com/outboa...ifications Edited by Joe Kriz on 11/27/13 - 12:18 PM
Weatherly	#3  Posted on 11/27/13 - 1:58 PM
Member Posts: 752 Comments: 4 Joined: 12/31/06	If I owned a Dauntless 15, I would power it with an E-Tec 60. The motor weighs 240 lbs. No scheduled maintenance for 300 hrs.
jw0287	#4  Posted on 11/27/13 - 2:21 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 163 Comments: 5 Joined: 04/16/13	Considering this: "...Actually, the Merc runs fine and the performance is right about where I want it ( 34mph WOT, great hole shot with 12X11 pitch Stiletto, 5 +/-mpg, plane at 15mph with Dole Fin),..." Why do you actually want a new motor? maybe it has something to do with this, "...but I can never leave well enough alone and so I'm considering a newer 4 stroke to replace the Merc. ..." What does that actually mean? I can never leave well enough alone? Do you mean maintenance wise? Things keep breaking? If thats what you mean, it could happen to you that you get a new motor an get a issues, nothing is perfect, or you could be one of the guys that motor has no issues at all, perform only maintenance, nothing corrective. Obviously you will not get your money back based on gas consumption, which you didn't mention you were trying to do, I just want to know why you want a new motor, piece of mind? Nothing like a Whaler
gary0319	#5  Posted on 11/27/13 - 2:51 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	jw0287 wrote: Do you mean maintenance wise? Things keep breaking? I just want to know why you want a new motor, piece of mind? Nothing breaking, sometimes I just want something new. Although, you have a good point, " why fix what ain't broke"? Edited by gary0319 on 11/27/13 - 10:34 PM 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
jw0287	#6  Posted on 11/29/13 - 5:50 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 163 Comments: 5 Joined: 04/16/13	my thoughts exactly gary, which is my middle name and my fathers name. my brother is looking for a 15' dauntless, I read your PP, an seems as if you love the boat, so I do understand wanting a nice shiny new motor on the back. however things could actually go south with a new motor, do some research on people getting duds (lemons) on the other hand, if u will eventually get a new motor, selling a motor that is 100% sound will get you more value, but I don't think money is a huge factor for you, considering u would like a new motor when you don't need one at this point. people probably disagree with me that things could get bad if u get a new motor, but nothing is guaranteed, so I would wait to take that jump if I were in your shoes an had 7000$ at disposal, Id still keep that merc. Nothing like a Whaler
gary0319	#7  Posted on 11/29/13 - 12:17 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	Yup, you pretty much nailed it JW. Just trying to make a "new boat" out of a 15 year old whaler. I suppose one could get a dud in almost any brand, but the Yamahas command about 50% of the market around here, or so it seems if you spend any time at the local ramp. Must be something to that. Joe K....I like the idea of the new F70. It would be about 35lbs heavier than my Merc 2 stroke. Do you think I'd risk dipping my scuppers with that much added weight? Right now my scuppers are about 1.5" to 2" above the water with the Merc 60 at 219 lbs. 60 Etec looked good, but local service seems to be regarded as sketchy here in Sarasota....anyone in my area have a different opinion? Gary 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
Mambo Minnow	#8  Posted on 11/29/13 - 12:52 PM
Member Posts: 64 Comments: 7 Joined: 10/31/05	I had the same rig as yours before moving up to a bigger boat when my family outgrew it. The gentleman that bought my boat repowered with an E-tec 75 HP.
Joe Kriz	#9  Posted on 11/29/13 - 12:54 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	Gary, Try putting 35 pounds of weight in the splashwell just in front of the motor. See how your scuppers are. I wouldn't think 35 pounds would do much to lower the stern but I have never owned a Dauntless 15'.
gary0319	#10  Posted on 11/29/13 - 1:19 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	Mambo Minnow wrote: I had the same rig as yours before moving up to a bigger boat when my family outgrew it. The gentleman that bought my boat repowered with an E-tec 75 HP. Wow, 320 lbs for an etec 75. I think I'd opt for the Yamaha 70. Even with the added 2 stroke punch, and the etec having 5 more horses, the extra 50 lbs is a deal killer. The etec 60 would be a better fit, IMO.. 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
gary0319	#11  Posted on 11/29/13 - 1:24 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	OK here's some added input. My wife (fishing partner and being of sounder mind) has seen this thread and wonders why I didn't mention wanting a quieter motor than the MERC, DUH!. So now we add that to the mix, although any 4 stroke or even the etecs would be quieter than the Merc, I'm sure. Joe, good idea; I'll see what I can come up with that is 35 lbs and will fit in the splash well. Gary Edited by gary0319 on 11/29/13 - 2:16 PM 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
jw0287	#12  Posted on 11/30/13 - 4:40 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 163 Comments: 5 Joined: 04/16/13	gary, theres a 2013 f70la with 13 hours on it, harness, key/ignition, binnacle mount an controls with 5 years of warranty left on it in seminole, florida. its 6500 bucks. I wish i had 6500 now, I want that motor for my custom. its on craigslist. i searched in the jacksonville area. as i am really close to jville. hope u get to read this, last time i mentioned stuff for sale, it was deleted, didn't even get a reason why, maybe its in the code of conduct, but I don't recall that. Nothing like a Whaler
gary0319	#13  Posted on 11/30/13 - 6:29 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	Thanks JW...just a little before I'm ready to purchase, however. Close to me, too. Nice to get an idea of pricing, though. Gary Edited by gary0319 on 11/30/13 - 6:31 PM 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
Buckda	#14  Posted on 12/01/13 - 6:42 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 325 Comments: 2 Joined: 01/15/07	Just my opinion, and I have never actually experienced an E-TEC 60..... ...but I have owned a pair of the E-TEC 90 HP motors (same block as the 75hp) on my 18' Outrage. The problem I would have with the 60 is that it is only 2 cylinders. - it is the max HP for that block...plus, I think you want 70 or more HP on that boat. Find a dealer that you trust and go with their recommendation. If Yamaha truly has the best support network (i.e.: Service options) you should consider them - it also means competition between dealerships on pricing. I'd do the diligence though - check the yellow page listings vs. the unofficial local ramp check. Could be that there is one very good dealer in your area who accounts for most of those motors. Don't judge them based on volume of boats sold with those motors - do it based on people who choose to repower their boats with them - their tech team, their sales staff, etc all play a role in whether you can and should trust them...or not. The F70 is a fine motor by all accounts I've heard. I also think an E-TEC 75 would be a good choice, however, I don't know how that hull will handle the added weight.
gary0319	#15  Posted on 12/01/13 - 1:29 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	At the ramp today the guy next to us was putting in and had a Yamaha 70 on the back of his skiff. Holy Cow! it was huge compared to our little Merc 60. Maybe it was an older 70 (it was a 4 stroke). I thought the Yamaha 70 was the same size as the 60. Was I wrong?? Gary 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
Weatherly	#16  Posted on 12/02/13 - 6:53 AM
Member Posts: 752 Comments: 4 Joined: 12/31/06	There is a Boston Whaler Dauntless 15 powered by an E-Tec 75 for sale in the Boston, MA area; the boat has been for sale for more than 1 year. I talked with the owner. He repowered the boat with the E-Tec 75 and used the boat a few times. He said that the engine was too much power for the hull; therefore, he decided to sell. The boat porpoised badly at any speed above half throttle. I came away from the conversation thinking the guy had made a $9000 repower mistake and was now trying to recoup his cost/loss. In his ad he described the boat as: "wicked fast." You may want to seek out the owner/seller's opinion on his boat's performance with the E-Tec 75; his contact information is included in the ad. http://www.powerboatlistings.com/view...view/16487 Edited by Weatherly on 12/02/13 - 6:57 AM
gary0319	#17  Posted on 12/02/13 - 8:24 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	Weatherly, Thanks for the additional input. I would think that the 75 e-tec at 320 lbs would contribute to the porpoising. The Dauntless is prettty sensitive to weight distribution. It also looks like the seller may have more pitch on that prop (which makes it "wicked fast"), but also doesn't give much stern lift. I've been doing a lot of picture looking at 15 Duantlesses on the web and it looks like the older Merc 75 two strokes at 305 lbs still allow for the scuppers to be above the water line. As such, I think I'm good to go for either the Yamaha 60 or the newer 70. The etec 60 is still in the back of my mind as is the Suzuki 60 (light weight). I'll be visiting a local Yamaha dealer later this week. Gary 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
dauntless-n-miami	#18  Posted on 12/03/13 - 9:58 AM
Member Personal Page Project Albums Posts: 315 Comments: 0 Joined: 11/05/08	Hey there Mr. Gary3019, I hope you and the Admirial had a pleasant Thanksgiving. I'm not going to suggest an engine size only because I would go with max horsepower if it were me. Regarding scuppers and water-line, my scuppers are close Gary and remember what I have hanging off the back of my Dauntless. I can stand at the stern and I weigh about 170ish and still be relatively dry but if any wake or sudden rocking, different story. I prefer the extra horsepower because of how I use my boat, usually four adults, dive or snorkeling along with spearfishing gear, choppy bay crossings, and novice boat owners with big fast speedboats. My 90 Yamy has kept us safe on a few outings thanks to the extra push it offers. These same conditions were the reason why the previous owner went a bit bigger in motor with my Dauntless. If I recall the Dauntless originally had either a 70 or 75 hp 2 stroke, can't remember brand. There is a modification that can be made to the scuppers if needed, it is an externally mounted clear cover with an internal check ball. I think it is made by SeaChoice. The porpoising issue is not so much the weight of the motor as how much positive trim is being used. If I tuck the drive (all down) and hammer the throttle (light chop obviously) she runs smooth or bow level. If I nudge the trim a bit (2 to 3 bars on my digital tach) bow lightens a bit, more speed and very little signs of porpoising. Yes, the weight (or gear) in the boat must be distributed accordingly. You definitely have some homework to do on your choice Gary...happy hunting and holiday's. Angel M. 1996 Dauntless 15, Sportsman Pkg. - 2007 Yamaha 90 HP 2-Stroke
gary0319	#19  Posted on 12/03/13 - 12:56 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 218 Comments: 0 Joined: 08/25/12	Thanks for the info. Angel, It looks like your scuppers are OK with the 260 lbs of the Yamaha 90 2 stroker. I stopped at a local Yamaha dealer today, and it was a waste of time. They will sell me the motors, no rigging and turn me over to a guy 50 miles away to put it all together. The sales guy did allow that the F70 was only about $350 more than the F60. Both well over $7K, his pricing. Still doing the research (and now the shopping) 1998 Dauntless 15 - 1998 Mercury 60
Joe Kriz	#20  Posted on 12/03/13 - 1:17 PM
Site Owner Personal Page Personal Album Photo Albums Project Albums Posts: 11447 Comments: 452 Joined: 03/18/05	The F70 only weighs 8 more pounds then the F60. Why buy the F60 unless it is thousands of dollars cheaper?