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Hi All,
Newbie here. Looking at 13' Whalers from 1997 to 2005. I have read through many posts. Please give me your opinions on 25hp to carry 400lbs. plus vs. a 40hp. Concerns are wt. of engine, speed, and gas consumption. Guess I can't get all three in one engine!
Also would like opinions on Honda vs. Mercury engines of those sizes. Looks like Hondas have more torque.
Thanks in advance.

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I'd go with a 40 hp. Some on here will argue but I say you can't go wrong with a 40. The fuel consumption isn't bad at all. I can run all day long on four gallons of gas.

IMO, anything smaller will leave you yearning for more hp.

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I think you need to tell us more about what you want to do with your boat and what is important to you. Is the choice a 4 stroke 25 hp vs a 2 stroke 40hp? Do you want to tow a tube? Do you want to be able to talk (vs. yelling) while the boat is going fast? What is fast to you? Do you intend to troll with your motor? What is your budget? New vs. used? I think if you can answer all these questions then the choice will be easy.

Then when you are done answering all those questions, consider the Evinrude E-tec 30hp. It is the best option, period. I wish I could afford to put one on my 1975 13' sport.

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Au contraire! The Yamaha 40 2-stroke is light, fast, and relatively fuel-efficient. It's also about as reliable as an outboard motor gets, apart from a tilt unit that doesn't seem to be overly fond of salt water over time. The mid-eighties OMC 40 h.p. twins were great engines, too, but good luck finding one with power trim and low hours.
I don't see where 4-strokes make a lot of sense for 13 footers. These hulls are extremely sensitive to transom weight, and the fuel cost savings in this horsepower range aren't enough to justify the extra heft of a 4S lug, IMO.
If you are seldom going to have more than two people on board, and you don't plan on towing skiers or tubers, a 25-30 h.p. mill would be just fine for this boat. That said, you aren't going to give up much in the way of weight or fuel consumption with a 40, and the extra power would undoubtedly prove welcome at times. Just my $.02.

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The Nissan/Tohatsu TLDI 40 hp is also a great option for that boat. With the weight you mention above you could easily cruise at 30 mph with wot approaching 40. Fuel consumption is very slight with that engine and they are pretty quiet.
Mike

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Thanks for the quick reply...even though the opinions differ. Basically I want to be able to boat on a medium size lake with 2-4 avg. size adults. Tubing would only be on rare occassions. I must admit I like a little "kick' when boating...but also a leisurely lap around the lake too. I don't want to yell over the engine!

I am looking at preowned and see various options for my budget up to 10K although I would prefer to stay lower. I am not in a hurry as New England weather probably won't allow me to boat until next spring.

Here are some of the options.
2002 with 40 2 stroke Mercury fully maintained, cushions, "like new" $5,500
2000 with 30hp 2 stroke Mercury same as above 6,500
2000 with 30hp ? stroke Mercury good condition dealer 6,000
2007 with 40hp 4 stroke Mercury most options, engine warrenty until 4/13 9,500
1997 with new 2006 Honda 25hp good condition 8,300

I actually like the lighter weight and extra bench seat on the 1997 but this boat has no cushions, etc. so extra cost above the high price already makes me question why pay that much when newer and less expensive will probably work just fine. In NH they list alot of 25hp engines because no boating permit is needed.

Thanks again and keep that advice coming!