16 Cruiser power upgrade options?

B

bmacpiper

New member
Hi all,
Haven't been on the site for a while, but hope everyone is well. We've had a good summer so far, including several trips out on the boat for sturgeon, crab, etc.

My last posts were a while back regarding following seas, and I've made a lot of progress there, in terms of experience, drogue (which I haven't needed), etc.

The one area where I still wish for more is when I'm in a large (for my boat) following sea, and needing to use large steering and throttle inputs. I have a 2005 16' cruiser, with a 40hp Honda on it (190 hours on the motor).

When I need a quick punch of power to keep the boat straight (due to a following wave pushing sideways), the Honda is just too slow to get it done. In most other situations, I am pleased with the Honda, but would upgrade over just this one issue. Also, when heading into larger seas, and needing to adjust throttle and punch over a big wave, the needed power is barely there at times.

So, I am hoping to hear some thoughts on motors, props, etc. Kitsap Marina mentioned that the E-tec has great low-end with more-or-less instant power, and also suggested asking you guys and gals about different prop combinations that might help on the Honda. I would be doing the 60hp E-tec if I went that route. Currently I have the standard prop that came on the Honda, but don't have my boat here to look at the diameter and pitch.

Any experiences here that you can share?

Thanks all,
Ben McCafferty
 
Per C-Dory literature, up to 55hp is recommended. We run with a Suzuki 50 & that seems to be enough power to maneuver in following seas. Not comfortably, but sufficient. The comfort factor would be a bigger C-Dory :)
 
I feel your pain since your boat is a 2005 and warranty is not an issue any more I would sell the Honda and get a 60 suzuki or e-tek they have a bigger gearcase to push a bigger prop or if you go with a 50 go with a big foot .(merc or Yami)That is what you need a bigger prop Now is a Great time to repower prices are good and your 40 honda should get a good $$ Let us know which way you go
 
Ben and I talked on the phon earlier today, and I sent him back here because of the wealth of information posossed by those who inhabit this place.

One of the things we discussed was going to an E-Tec motor for the two stroke's better torque and hole shot.

Since the 60 E-Tec is built on the same block as the 40 / 50, and is the same weight, we could get one on the boat safely. What I don't know is if going to the 50 horse four stroke would be enough increase in performance.

So, with that additional insight from the motor seller's brain- what say ye?
 
Thanks Jenny and bjidzik--

As Matt said in his post, the weight isn't the issue. I forgot to ask him about the extra thrust--that power is going against the transom, and one concern is whether the transom is up to the task or not, with our without reinforcement.

I have spoken to a couple of other e-tec owners (non-Dory) and their experiences pre- and post-e-tec are "more than night and day", in their words. One described his boat (Smoker with 50hp Honda) being sluggish to plane, etc. Afterwards (50hp e-tec), with three guys in the boat, he said, "You'd better be holding on when I hit the throttle".

It sounds like a good solution, if the boat can handle it. I listed the Honda on Craig's List, just to gauge interest.

Thanks again,
bmc
 
I don't think the transom would be a problem. It seems to be plenty stout. They perform well with the Honda 50. If you can get close to that weight with a 60 then that should be a good combination.
 
lloyds":3ttirslp said:
I don't think the transom would be a problem. It seems to be plenty stout. They perform well with the Honda 50. If you can get close to that weight with a 60 then that should be a good combination.
Click to expand...

Thanks lloyds. Hey, is your vessel name a nod to Siouxsie and the Banshees?

bmc
 
I will say that the new EFI Hondas are alot better and MUCH punchier than the carb models . The E Tecs are also very spunky at the bottom of the rpm range . Honda and Suzuki both will have new lightweight 60s available soon , but I suspect that will put you into trim tab land as the boat can only use so much power before it starts porpoising , and you have to add drag to control it .
I have a new flats fishing boat coming that we had design input into and its a 17 footer, weight around 800 Lbs, and will be able to use the same class of motor as a 16 C Dory . I am having a hard time deciding which way to go .......
Marc
 
I have a 16' cruiser with a 50 E-TEC on it. I fish San Pablo Bay,Suisun Bay, and The Delta regularly. I hit 3-4 footers with some pretty wicked tides mixed in and the ETEC always has a little extra something to get me out of a tight spot. I LOVE my 50 but a 60 would be even better!!

Let me know if you have any questions.
 
Thanks to all for the input. In classic form, this is making me consider whether I'll be in a bigger dory next year, and so shouldn't spend for a motor now. Nothing like turning a $3800 outlay for a motor into ten times that for a boat!!!

tx,
bmc
 
Back
Top