Engines

T

tparrent

New member
As I look for my next boat I have found a variety of engines hanging off the back. I have a Honda 50 on my CD 16 and it works fine. However, I have rented a couple of fishing boats lately with Suzuki 90s and found that engine to be very , very nice. It seems MUCH quieter than the Honda and just explodes with power immediately upon hitting the throttle.

I wonder, however, if my perception of the Suzi is colored by using it on fishing skiff instead of a Dory. The rental skiffs were lightweight center consoles without any enclosures. The lack of any enclosure may have made the engine seem quieter since there was no reverb like you can get in the CD 16. The light weight may have made the engine seem more responsive too.

On the other hand, the Suzuki may just be a fine engine :)

The used CD 22s I have looked at have everything from the Suzuki to a Honda to an Evinrude. I am looking at boats from 2000 or newer so the engines are all modern 4 strokes.

What is your general experience with the various engines? Are some much quieter than others? Is reliability pretty much the same across brands these days?

I know that the rest of the boat condition, features and price will have a heavy influence on my decision but the engine is probably the component that I have the least information on so i appreciate any info you can share.

Thanks
 
Unless you've had lots of different kinds, you tend to like the ones you have unless they are a problem. I say "they" because my 22 had twin Honda 45's (carbureated and sometimes probematic), and now twin 115 Suzis on the TomCat which I love. Like a car, they start first time, every time.

Charlie
 
Hi Tom,

One thing to consider on engine choice is the service available locally. I think all the current offerings are solid and reliable. The noise difference will be negligible with an enclosed cabin. Others with the CD-16 can attest to the noise that gets reflected in that open cabin... trade-offs on the different boat choices.

One thing that I appreciate is fuel injection over a carburated engine. Easier starting, better mileage. When we bought our boat, the Honda 90 didn't have fuel injection, so we went with a larger single instead of twin 90s. We have a good Honda dealer in our area, so that helped make our choice. The engine has needed little beyond routine service, so that hasn't been an issue.

If you find the boat you really like, ask for service records to see how the engine has been maintained.

The CD-22 has been powered by a variety of options: 40-50 hp twins, 70-115 hp singles seem to be the most popular.

Taking this "next step" now will be helpful in your search in 6 months for a CD-25. :twisted:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
I have no doubt there's a 25 in my future but, following the advice of many (not ONLY prospective sellers of 22s! :)), I am looking for the right boat at the right time. That future 25 awaits time away from the working world. In the meantime, an easy to tow, easy to launch, all-weather 22 show do me fine :)

When I get the 25 I plan to equip it with dual Rolls Royce 20,000 hp jet engines. That should negate the need for any tow vehicle. The trim tabs better have ailerons.
 
Jim makes an excellent point; avoid carburetors unless you're a very active boater with either good mechanical skills or you have a family member who is an outboard mechanic. :roll: Go fuel injected. Other than that, as even the honest dealers will tell you, they're all good, so give the nod to service quality before brand.

Don
 
Ditto what Charlie said. People will usually recommend what they have unless they have had a bad experience.

When purchasing Napoleon I narrowed it down to Honda or Suzuki fuel injected. Suzuki offered the largest block of any 150 made and there were a few other features that sold me on them. One thing that everyone notices about them - they are silent runners.

I think all the engines these days are within a 'few points' of one another if you were ranking them numerically and you really can't go wrong.
 
I chose the Honda 90 at the time because it was the lightest 4 stroke 90 available, had the best alternator of any of the 4 strokes, and I could get factory authorized service at my marina. I've been very happy with the engine and would recommend it.

That said, I think most of the engines available these days are good. Suzuki makes a new, very light weight 90 and Yamaha has been making their proven 90 for some time.

Personally I prefer EFI 4 strokes over DFI 2 strokes like the E-tech. Merc's don't seem too popular on C-Dory's and I'm not a big fan after a couple of negative experiences with them on other peoples boats.

I'd say buy one with a (or a pair of) Yamaha, Honda, or Suzuki depending on which brand offers the best service in your area.
 
The Suzuki 90 has been a strong runner for us.

One thing Suzuki does is offset the engine crank forward, shift the engine a few inches forward for better balance on the transom.

tech_ods.jpg


This also give a reduction gear at the crank/driveshaft connection, as well as the lower unit. This allows the Suzuki to turn a bigger prop and offer better hole shot.
 
Matt , you should get brownie points from Larry V. at Suzuki for this !!!!! Better than their own marketing !
I personally chant this every morning ;
" bigger prop , more pitch ,more power, at a slower speed for less slip" and "there is no replacement for displacement"
But Hondas and Yamahas are good too.
No comment on the "Legacy Brands"
Marc
 
I've had an ETEC on an open boat and on my 16 Angler. It's amazing how much louder the enclosed cabin makes the noise signature. The 1st 16 we rode in had a Honda 40 and it wasn't any quieter than the ETEC. Even though the ETEC has very low emissions you can still detect some of the exhaust in the cabin when the conditions are right. I would lean toward one of the excellant 4 stroke (injected of course) choices. Personally, I don't care much for the Merc, but that (bias) has allot more to do with old triple carb tuning issues than with modern 4 stroke/injected designs. As everyone else is saying, A competant local service dealer would be the most important consideration in engine choice. I'm planning on switching to a Yamaha 50 at some point in the near future, mostly based on past experiance with the brand and good local service. The ETEc dealer we had fell victom to this economy and I have to trailer more than 70 miles for service now. That generally means dropping the boat and waiting a week for any issue that comes up to be resolved.
 
Good point . I guess you and I are it !
I have a new slogan .
"History is a bad reason to buy an new outboard "
Whadaya think??????
Marc
 
In my "neck of the woods" (Cook Inlet, Ninilchik) the primary brand of engine on charter boats used to be Yamaha. But in the last 3 or 4 yrs. they have been switching to Honda. Don't know the reason but probably $$$$.
There are a few Merc's and Suzuki's and Evinrudes but Honda is the most prevalent.
I would be hesitant in the Suzuki with the extra complicated power transfer under the engine as it violates the KISS rule. More "stuff" to go wrong. JMHO, I could be wrong.
 
It's pretty simple technolgy that I think came over from the Motorcycle division. Knock on wood, I've never seen any problems with the off set powerhead set up, and that design is now on all of their products down to 40 horse as of this year.
 
It may not mean much to you, but I have owned 3 Suzuki motorcycles and eight 4 wheeled vehicles in the last 18 years and have nothing bad to say especially when it comes to mechanical/engineering reliability. I love them because they all have been dependable. And I will always consider their products in any future purchases.
 
I am a fan of technology so I chose the Suzuki 175s because of the offset powerhead, variable valve timing and variable intake. Their reputation was also a big factor. The gearing has allowed me to pull 16X23" props and the combination has resulted in 2.5mpg at most planing speeds. I am totally happy with the performance; Amazingly quiet, fast, powerful and efficient. Reliability should be good but I can only learn that with time.

I believe all medium to high horsepower outboards in the future will have gearing to allow larger props.
 
Now I want a Suzuki! Darn Yamaha I just bought will probably outlast me... Maybe if I run WOT all time I can get the Suzuki sooner?

Actually I bought the Yami due to having a local shop here in town with excellent service (Inflatable Boats Specialists) -- and I've been very VERY happy. (But I would look at the Suzuki for sure in the future). It's a great problem -- choosing based from what works best rather than against what works least. :D
 
Something I forgot in my previous post..........when I was researching to repower my 22' Classic I learned that Suzuki makes more outboards total in the world than all others combined. That is a big plus for them. Must have it right by now.
I did not buy one then because of the poor support in Alaska. That has changed now though.
 
Beflyguy":3eo2tgvt said:
I am a fan of technology so I chose the Suzuki 175s because of the offset powerhead, variable valve timing and variable intake. Their reputation was also a big factor. The gearing has allowed me to pull 16X23" props and the combination has resulted in 2.5mpg at most planing speeds. .
Click to expand...

Wow! And here I am with Suzuki 150s barely making 2.1 mpg. Oh wait- I have a bimini, bottom paint, extra batteries, (unnecessarily) full water tank, full fuel, pots and pans, tools, bunch of other crap, some heavy friends...now I don't feel so bad :D
 
Back
Top