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New Member, I have a 17' outrage 1991 with a 90tlr Yamaha 2 stroke motor in Kona Hawaii. I also have a 15hp Johnson kicker on the back just for insurance. incase the 90 would fail I would have a way to get home. My question is: I troll about 7-8 knots per hour and burn 3.5 gal per hour, gas is about $5.00 per gal so it cost me about $18.00 hour for gas and oil. I am thanking of Going with a Yamaha F70 4 stroke, I am told I would cut my gas consumption in half. I hardly ever open it up so I am not to concerned about top end performance. I usually have full tank of gas and 4 people in the boat. Has anyone had any experience with a 70hp 4 stroke on a 17" outrage.
thanks
Doug O

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Your boat is rated fro 120hp max.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...album_id=3

I have no idea why you are trolling with your large motor.

I burn about 2 1/2 gallons of fuel when trolling for 8 hours a day using my 8hp kicker motor.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=48

This not only saves wear and tear on the main motor, but gives me very cheap trolling for the day.
@ $5 a gallon x 2 1/2 gallons a day = $12.50 trolling for 8 hours.

Why even consider changing main motors?

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how fast can you troll with that motor

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Trolling for Pelagic fish in Hawaii is the very different type of fishing than trolling for Salmon along the West Coast. Trolling speed typically approaches semi-planing speeds and a Johnson 15 on an Outrage 17 would have to be operated at or near WOT to exceed the hull speed for that model. I imagine that would be very loud and unpleasant, though the motor would be happy.

A Yamaha F70 on an Outrage 17 would not be a fast boat, but for this type of fishing and use in Hawaii, it might be a perfect fit.

Yes, the fuel savings would be significant.

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As a former 1991 Outrage 17 owner, I agree with Tom. The top speed will be low. More concerning is what I would call "reserve power".

While my boat had a F115 that rarely saw WOT, there were occasions in nasty seas with a medium to heavy load where I needed all the HP.

If you have some active seas and use the bait well and have lots of gear, I would go for the F90 or the E-TEC 90.

It's a safety thing.

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The difference in price between a
F70 and F90 is not that much and the F115 is only about a grand more than either of those. I'm with Phil here, it's a safety thing. Minimal power versus maximum power, max always wins in my mind, you and the motor will be a lot happier.

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Doug O,

I too have a 1991 17' Outrage. I recently repowered with a Honda BF90D and could not be happier. Like you I'm a fisherman and most of my fishing is trolling. The Honda 90 performs this task well and burns very little fuel. I don't feel like a 70 hp fourstroke would have enough power in rough seas on your Outrage. A 90hp would be minimum in my opinion. Also, I don't think you will like a kicker on the back of the 17' Outrage I with any of the current 90hp engine options. 17' Outrage I's are sensitive to stern weight and even the Etec 90 will add 60lbs to your transome over your current setup. My vote is to remove the kicker and repower with a new 90hp fourstroke Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha in that order. If you want two stroke torque then the Etec 90 is a fine option as well.

Good luck
Bob.

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Doug O,

I did a little test for you this evening. My Honda BF90D trolls at 7 mph turning 1900-2000 rpm. I have to say thats really moving for trolling, much faster than the 2.2-2.8 mph the salmon around here require. BTW thats with a 17p prop.

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Thanks for all your replys, I was concerned if the 70hp would be a lite on hp for that boat. The seas in Kona are usually pretty flat, but there are times it picks up real fast and I would want the horse power. I am going to go with the 90 fourstroke and store the Kicker motor up front in case of emergency.
Doug O