Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Need Help With Engine Choice!
Posted by Sudden_Victory on 12/03/12 - 5:21 PM
#1
Hi, I have a 1985 Supersport 13' and I'm looking into repowering it with a brand new engine. I want something light enough to be realistic on a 13, but i want enough power and speed also. I'm thinking about a 30 or 40 hp Mercury. Any Ideas?
Thanks
Posted by Slickityd16t on 12/04/12 - 1:56 AM
#3
EVINRUDE 40 sure is heavy for 2 cylinders
Posted by DKroger on 12/04/12 - 6:57 AM
#4
That is because the 40 hp, 50 hp and 60 hp are all the same block except for hp and weight.
Edited by Phil T on 12/04/12 - 8:07 AM
Posted by Brooksinct on 12/04/12 - 10:05 AM
#5
If you do a search you will see that the two best choices are the evinrude ETEC 30 or Yamaha 40.
I am partial to the yamaha 40, I love it.
Edited by Joe Kriz on 12/04/12 - 10:09 AM
Posted by Finnegan on 12/04/12 - 10:25 AM
#6
The guy asks about which Merc to buy, and he gets recommendations on Evinrude and Yamaha instead!
I recently saw a classic 13 being repowered with a Merc 4-stroke 40 and it looked great and ran very well. It's pushing the weight limit but the boat handles it perfectly well. Note incidentally, that the Yamaha 40 runs on the same block as the Merc. Nobody seems to know the real story there.
The Merc 30 is a smaller engine on a different block, but if you're not interested in fast top end and heavier load carrying, may be just fine for your purposes.
In my case, I would prefer the 40.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 12/04/12 - 10:37 AM
#7
Actually he said he was "Thinking About" a Mercury. Any Ideas?
Sudden_Victory wrote:
I'm thinking about a 30 or 40 hp Mercury. Any Ideas?
Thanks
"Any Ideas" opens the discussion up.
Posted by tom blinstrub on 12/04/12 - 10:55 AM
#8
The mercury 30 is made by Tohatsu and weighs about 175 with power trim. If you were close to a Tohatsu or Nissan dealer I would consider a 40 Tohatsu. Its not much more money than the 30 and the Tohatsu price includes the controls,prop,tach and trim guage. It shares the same block as the 50 so it should be very robust. I own both a 50 Tohatsu and it's bigger brother 90 hp and they have 6 and 7 years on them each. The 90 is on a 21 Whaler that makes over 100 trips out of the harbor a year and It's never been to the dealer. Spark plugs once, water pump impeller last year and gear oil evey year. I would say they are durable.
Posted by Joe Kriz on 12/04/12 - 11:24 AM
#9
Just for clarification, the Tohatsu 40 hp is a 2 stroke.
The Mercury and the Tohatsu 30 hp is a 4 stroke.
Posted by Geoff Titus on 12/04/12 - 6:08 PM
#10
My 1970 13' sport is in the shop now being outfitted with a new (2013) Tohatsu LPDI 40 HP 2 stroke short shaft which I hope to be breaking in around the end of this month. If you are interested, let me know and I can give you a report.
Edited by Joe Kriz on 12/04/12 - 6:16 PM
Posted by DKroger on 12/04/12 - 8:15 PM
#11
I am sure there are a lot of pepole here that would like to hear how your new motor works out and the performance figures are. It would all so be nice to see some pictures of your new motor and boat.
Posted by Geoff Titus on 12/05/12 - 7:54 PM
#12
I will send photos and info on the motor after I get it out. I think this new short shaft 40 with power trim & tilt will be a hot set-up for the older 13's.
Posted by Geo on 12/06/12 - 1:58 PM
#13
I just re-powered my 1969 Sport 13' 4" Whaler with a 2012 Tohatsu 40 hp TLDI 2-stroke. This short-shaft motor weighs in at about 205 lbs. with the power tilt included. It looks great on the boat. I'll upload some pictures soon.
Posted by tom blinstrub on 12/07/12 - 12:04 PM
#14
There is a dealer advertizing a new 2010 leftover Tohatsu 40 hp short shaft for $4600 on Boston craigslist. That includes controls,prop,tach and trim gauges and wiring.
Posted by cummings on 12/07/12 - 3:17 PM
#15
$ .02 worth. I have a 1992 13 GLS and in July 2011 repowered with a Tohatsu 30 4 stroke. As has been said Tohatsu makes the Merc 4 strokes under 30 hp but at a much better price. About a hundred hours later and zero issues and top end of 32 with 2, gear and bimini up. And quiet, I have to listen to the wife now in stead of just nodding my head. Under 5K with everything including new tach. I took out the 6 gallon tank that also came with the motor and bought a 3.5 gal and 10-11 mpg at 20-22 cruise and what more can I say. I put the battery under the consul and the 3.5 tank (not that this size is a real tank) behind the driver where the battery was and have room for my 45 quart yeti in the aft and more room forward. I keep a "one" gallon emergency "tank" under the forward seat that I have yet to use.
Just food for your thought.
Edited by cummings on 12/07/12 - 3:25 PM
Posted by Geo on 12/08/12 - 8:22 AM
#16
cummings wrote:
$ .02 worth. I have a 1992 13 GLS and in July 2011 repowered with a Tohatsu 30 4 stroke. As has been said Tohatsu makes the Merc 4 strokes under 30 hp but at a much better price. About a hundred hours later and zero issues and top end of 32 with 2, gear and bimini up. And quiet, I have to listen to the wife now in stead of just nodding my head. Under 5K with everything including new tach. I took out the 6 gallon tank that also came with the motor and bought a 3.5 gal and 10-11 mpg at 20-22 cruise and what more can I say. I put the battery under the consul and the 3.5 tank (not that this size is a real tank) behind the driver where the battery was and have room for my 45 quart yeti in the aft and more room forward. I keep a "one" gallon emergency "tank" under the forward seat that I have yet to use.
Just food for your thought.
Thanks for the info but I think it ought to be made clear that the 30 hp is not going to do the job when you have 4 people in the boat, which is not unlikely for many people.