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I ended up signing with Evinrude to purchase twin G2 V6 150 HOs. The $2K discount per engine sealed the deal, as it made the price stand out compared to other quotes I was getting for similar repowers (Suzuki & Yamaha).
5 months after signing... still no engines. The counter rotating was delayed, then coronavirus hit, and now Evinrude is out of the business! The dealer offered a special incentive to keep me: a free upgrade to 2017 225 G2 HOs, while holding the 7 year warranty from time of install. Apparently brand new, they were ordered for another dealer who had a buyer back out.
That's a lot of weight and HP to add on the boat. I'm sure it can handle it, but I'm curious to hear the reaction from folks here. Should I do it? I had twin 1989 Yamaha 150s on there and was planning to look for a late 1990s set of OX66 engines, but with this new twist on the deal, I'm undecided. Thanks!
The reason Evinrude shut down is because nobody wants them (relatively speaking) - not enough sales to justify the continuing manufacturing losses. Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki were destroying them in sales. I read somewhere that Evinrude only had 3% of the world outboard market.
I'd say you were lucky to have not received delivery, and I would not put yourself back in the fire by taking three year old 225's. They are large and heavy, loosing the 2-stroke advantage, with some evidence of problems, and not particularly attractive to look at! Rigging is complicated and expensive, and you have no idea as to future availability of parts and service. Evidently nobody else wanted those 225's either over the last three years. I think left over G-2's are going to be hard to get rid of except at fire sale pricing.
I recently saw a boating website study on the best of the new 150's, which included the E-tec 150's, done before they shut down. The Mercury 4-stroke 150, actually about 165HP, turned out to be the best overall engine in performance and fuel economy. The Yamaha 150 was rated 2nd and the Evinrude last.
There is no way you could convince me to take that “deal.“ I have a mantra: “Never pay someone hard earned money to let their problem become yours.“
Consider yourself lucky - - you dodged a bullet. Dust yourself off and move on. As Finnegan said, there are some very attractive engine options readily available from going concerns. Engines that potential future owners of your boat will value (think re-sale.)
Edited by JRP on 06/09/20 - 4:46 AM
19 Outrage II (1992)
What is the max hp for the W/D 25' 400? I would think 300hp would be my minimun on that boat as it is essentially a 27' hull. I would be looking for twin 200's and probably the 4cyl Suzuki or Yamahas.
The max HP rating is 450, so while technically in spec, the issue is the weight. 558 lbs for each 225 is 1,116 lbs on the transom vs roughly 800 lbs from my old 1989 Yamahas. The Whaler Drive is super durable, so I’m not overly concerned with the extra 300 lbs. Famous last words, so it would be nice to have any first hand experience. The 150s are only slightly lighter at 541 each.
I have done significant price research and quoting. The Evinrude’s were the best priced because of the winter special they ran. It seems like a great product, despite being discontinued, but very valid points made here on future support and resale value.
I’m a do-it yourself kind of person and the stories about how difficult these engines can be to troubleshoot without a special computer also gives me pause.
Travg wrote:
The max HP rating is 450, so while technically in spec, the issue is the weight. 558 lbs for each 225 is 1,116 lbs on the transom vs roughly 800 lbs from my old 1989 Yamahas. The Whaler Drive is super durable, so I’m not overly concerned with the extra 300 lbs. Famous last words, so it would be nice to have any first hand experience. The 150s are only slightly lighter at 541 each.
I have done significant price research and quoting. The Evinrude’s were the best priced because of the winter special they ran. It seems like a great product, despite being discontinued, but very valid points made here on future support and resale value.
I’m a do-it yourself kind of person and the stories about how difficult these engines can be to troubleshoot without a special computer also gives me pause.
All classic Whalers are weight sensitive in the stern, even Whalerdrives, because they were designed in an era when much lighter/simpler 2-strokes were the norm.
Setting aside that Evinrude is now a defunct engine manufacturer, any viable G2 repower package for your boat is going to be the heaviest possible option. This will exacerbate the weight sensitivity concerns.
Mercury offers 3.4L 225 HP V-6 Fourstroke engines that only weigh 475 lbs (20” shaft). Same weight for their 200 and 175 HP versions of that engine, too, if you don’t need 450HP combined. [The ProXS version of these engines weighs less @470 lbs/20”].
Btw, I have a 1992 Yamaha 150 2-stroke. It has a spec weight of 430 lbs, plus the oiling tank hardware and 3-gallons of oil in the stern, bumps it to a +/- 450 lbs package. I’d be surprised if yours were much less than that.
Edited by JRP on 06/11/20 - 8:19 AM
19 Outrage II (1992)
