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I just bought a 1991 BW 13. My understanding is that this transom is a little higher than the original model. But I am getting conflicting information about how to re-power it. Currently it has a 25hp Johnson of the same age. I'd like a 4 stroke Honda or Yamaha. I contacted several engine dealers in my area (Norfolk, VA) and am getting two completely different recommendations. Some are telling me that a 4 stroke is too heavy for the stern and others are saying it isn't. We'd be happy with a 25 or 30 hp motor. One person told me there is little weight difference between the Honda 25 and 30. They also said it there isn't that much difference on weight between 2 and 4 stroke engines.

So can we switch to the 4 stroke at this hp or should we go back with another 2 stroke? We are completely confused and I would appreciate hearing from some people who have done this one way or the other.

I noted that a new BW 13 has a 20" transom and they have a 40hp 4 stroke Mercury?!

And which engine is better: the Honda or Yamaha, or does it matter?? THANKS!!!

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We have all that information located in our articles section:
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=78

Just for the record, there are no new BW 13's.... They are now called BW 130 models and have a completely different hulls. Do not confuse the two... The newer hulls are designed for heavier motors.

You need a 20 inch long shaft on your 1991 model.
The earlier models with the notched transom takes a 15 inch short shaft.

Good luck with your decision.

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I'm not sure why you are looking only at 4 stokes. If that's your preference, great. I only wanted to recommend that you not overlook the etec or the other injected two strokes like Nissan or Tohatsu. I have the Nissan and couldn't be happier. The weight is an issue on these. The article Joe sited should give you all the weight figures. I'd recommend going with the lightest engine in the hp range you want. Binkie has the 25 hp 4 stroke Merc on his and is very satisfied with it.
Mike

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I would vote for finding a 2 stroke. Yes 4 strokes are more fuel efficient but with a motor that size you are still only spending $10 in gas which will last you more then all day. I have a 2 stroke 40hp Mercury on my 13', and I love it. Definitely a little stern heavy but I was thinking about moving the gas tank to under my front seat to balance it out a little.

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I am a fan of Yamaha engines as they are bullet proof. Also, I'd put a 40hp on her too.....this way you have the pwer if you need it.

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Sadly Yamaha no longer makes a 2 stroke 40 hp. They do still make a 50 hp 2 stroke which comes standard with power trim and tilt. The weight of a 50 2 stroke is very close to the weight of the 4 stroke 25 hp! (I'm speaking of Yamahas.) Check out www.edsmarinesuperstore.com for some good prices. They include a link to the manufacturers so you can see what is available. Look at some personal pages and especially check how LOW in the water some 13's with big motors sit. I don't want to sit that low on the sound! I have a really old 13 and will most likely be getting the transom raised. There are two other old classic 13's that put in at the Kill Devil Hills ramp. Good luck and please let us know what you go with and what dealer you use. I'm still a couple of months from powering mine.

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Thanks for all the replys and input. Still undecided. The Johnson 25hp 1991 seems to be running fine (idle is a little flukey) so we may stick with that until it gives trouble or becomes unreliable. The 25 pushes the boat just fine for our use. The 4 stroke 25 doesn't seem to weigh more than the 40 2 stroke. But also have been advised that the Yamaha 25 or 30 2 stroke is a great engine and it is a lot cheaper.

LabCab, where is the KDH ramp? Have been using the one across from Pirates Cove. When do you typically go out?

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I typically go out and sand my engineless $500 orphan hull. Since I've caught a case of perfectionism from this site it might be awhile before it's finished. There is a wonderful public ramp (free) on the sound. Coming north from Nags Head take a left on 5th St. MP 6.5. K-Mart is across the street. At stop sign take a right (Bay Dr.) and ramp is about a block on your left. Shhhh. It's a local secret and not in any tourist guides. There's usually noone there but it was very busy this past weekend. It looks to be an easy ramp for boats up to about 25 feet. There are two old Whalers that live behind houses there but they are not me.
There is a Yamaha dealer in Manteo. Manteo Marine. Don't know a thing about it but noticed it is a Yamaha and Carolina Skiff dealer. There is also a public ramp on the north end of the Manteo causeway on the left. I intend to haul it there someday and boat up to downtown Manteo. There's places to tie up and eat at the restaurants.

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Joe Kriz

I am in the process of repowering my 1969 13' Sport and the transom height is 17 1/4" with the original 1969 Johnson matching it +/- from underside of clamping bracket to top of cavitation plate.

I thought a short shaft was 15" and a long shaft was 20". With the transom height being in the middle of the two can I run a short shaft 15" or better to go with the 20" long.

I am getting ready to pull the trigger on a 25 HP 2 Stroke Yamaha Long Shaft (ELR) and just want to know if I need a small bracket to raise the motor a little bit or not.

Thanks

Chris

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I have a '08 25hp 4 stroke Merc/Tohatsu short shaft on my '61 13 footer. Its a great running motor, and I`m happy with the setup, but unless you are willing to make a lot of changes in the boat because of the excessive weight in the stern, go with a 2 stroke. My motor is the lightest 25 4 stroke built (157lbs.) Among the many changes I have made is to move the whole interior forward 6 inches, Install a 6" setback bracket, with the cavitation plate 1 3/4" above the bottom, and the most important,, install a Sting Ray hydrofoil on the cavitation plate. The rear seat is mounted on top of the seat clamp so that the 6 gallon fuel tank and the battery will fit under it. I have a kicker bracket on the stern, and the electric trolling motor (40lbs) is stored in the bow area, unless using it. The boat will plane two people from the stern seat, and will run 28mph with two. With the low torque of the 25 4 stroke, this is basically a two or at most 3 person boat. Actually the boat had better handling qualities when I ran my antique '58 Evinrude 35hp Lark on this boat.

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Find a used 2 stroke 40hp and put it on your boat. You won't have to worry about how many people you can carry or weight distribution, just power through all those issues!! Oh ya, don't forget to hold on too.