Before Posting, Please Read Our Posting Guidelines Below.
1. Use the full 4 digit year for everything you are asking your question about. Example: 1962, 1988, 2000, 2011 2. Include the correct name of your Whaler model. Example: Montauk 17, Montauk 170, Outrage 26, Outrage 260 3. Include the length when necessary. Example: 16, 17, 18, 20, 22 4. Do not post your email address anywhere on this site as it is already in your user profile.
Recently upgraded to a 2012 170 Montauk, which came with the factory Mercury 90hp 4 st.
Compared to the 90hp old 2 st mercy on the older lighter Montauk, this seems sluggish and underpowered.
Have been advised that to maintain insurance should not exceed the 90 hp rating.
Question is... would the Evinrude 90 ETEC provide the extra power that is claimed? Any major pros or cons
to making this change? Any advise is welcomed.
(corrected name to 170 Montauk so everyone knows exactly what model we are talking about)
The Montauk 170 is a completely different hull so comparing it to a Montauk 17 is apples to oranges.
Comparing two different boats with two different motors is also way different.
A 90 hp 2 stroke and 90 hp 4 stroke properly rigged and propped will give different results on the same hull. Only the top speed will be similar.
What you are sensing is the different power band of the 4 stroke compared to a 2 stroke and the difference in boat weight.
I would verify your Mercury 4 stroke is mounted at the correct height and with the right prop. If it is factory, then the motor is too low. Your top speed should be 43-46 mph with light load.
There is a good chance raising the motor and changing the prop can solve your issue.
Please provide us:
- mounting position of the motor bolt in hole #,counting from top.
- Top WOT rpm and speed (GPS) with you, light gear and fuel.
- Prop brand, model and size.
I have a 90hp etec on my 17' Montauk and couldn't be happier with it. It jumps out of the water when I punch it and is on plane in about 2 seconds. Lighter than a 4-stroke, and starts immediately. Service free for 3 yrs, no maintenance. I bought mine in June (2015) and received a 7 year warranty. It doesn't smoke and is quiet at idle, also easy on gas.
Thank you for the warm welcome and quick replies. I can see you are some very capable and knowledgeable people. Way beyond my level, but I am interested in learning more. Thanks again. Might also have a fuel tank question if I can ask it in this same section???
It is highly unlikely that the little three cylinder, smaller displacement Evinrude E-Tec 90 is more powerful than the 4 cylinder, Verado block 90 that you already have. I believe the Merc to be a more powerful engine.
The mid-range 75-115 Mercs have a longer dimension mid section, which means they need to be mounted higher. Before spending a lot of morey for a new engine, I would be sure the Merc 90 is installed in the middle set of the five holes, and that you are running a 20" pitch
Mercury/Quicksilver Laser II prop, or even better, the brand new 4 bladed Mercury Spitfire X7. You may be amazed at the performance improvement, especially acceleration and top end.
If you must have more power on the boat, seriously look at the brand new Mid-range Mercs, with 2.1 liter dispacement, the largest available. The new 90 runs well, but the 115, or the 115 ProXS (125 HP) are very strong and still weighs 40# less than what you have now. With the ProXS, which the 170 will handle fine, you will have one fast boat if you really need the speed (over 50).
David: I suggest you reach out personally to rockyrhodes, who owns a Boston Whaler 170 Montauk (Equinox) which he repowered with a Evinrude E-Tec 90 HO (High Output). He might be in the best position to provide you with firsthand detailed information about how his boat performs with the E-Tec 90 HO. Or maybe rockyrhodes could post performance data on this thread for all to read.
