New Guy

A

AKDAVE

New member
Hi, Ii justed joined and am about to make the plunge. I am about ready to make the deal on a 2003 25 Crusier without power. Now I have to decide on power. I have convinced myself a single with a kicker is what I want to do. The big question is how much horsepower. Of course my first thought is bigger is better. Than I ran across a new 2005 Honda 135 for a good price. Will I regret going with a 135 rather than 150 - 200? The boat will primarily be used for 2-4 day cruises in Prince William Sound with 2-4 people.

Any input would be helpful from all of the knowledge folks whose posts I have been reading for the last several weeks.

Thanks, AKDAVE
 
We are a couple months into ownership of a CD-25 with the Honda 135. I had some concerns before getting the boat as to whether the 135 would be enough motor. This is the motor Jeff from the factory recommended, based on our usage (cruising, generally mid to upper teens or slower). We have reached 30 knots with two of us and plenty of cruising gear aboard on smooth water. A good match for us and our cruising style.

Drop me a note or post more questions here if you want to discuss this more... I'm sure other 25 owners will chime in here, too.

You're gonna love that boat... btw, you're only a "new guy" here until you make that first post. Tell us some more about how you intend to use the boat. :D

Best wishes,<br>
Jim B.
 
Well I did it, the boat is ours. We well use the boating for general cruising, shrimping (a lot of fun) and fishing. Hope to spend a lot of time on the water. For the last few years we had a smaller boat and were only able to overnight by camping on the beaches (few and far between in Prince William Sound). Needles to say my better half chose not to participate in these trips. With the 25 that should change.

AKDAVE
 
Congratulations, Dave. My wife doesn't participate on this forum (other than when I drag her name into the conversations), but she is very much at home and comfortable on the 25. Be sure to equip it just the way SHE likes it! :wink I used to think that sailing was life, but it's the time we spend together on the water that makes it SO special. It's truly worth whatever it takes.

Enjoy that new boat (and keep us posted).

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Congratulations ! A note on the Hondas , the 135 and the 150 are identical until the RPMs reach about 4.5k-4.6k when the V Tech takes over . The only difference will be in top speed and most folks cruise under 4.5k RPM. The difference should be no more than a couple MPH at top RPM.
Marc
 
Dave-

Congradulations on the new boat!

You'll be a better human being at home, at rest, and on the water in a C-Dory.

As for the motor choice, the 135 will be fine if

1) you're not a HP or MPH fanatic

2) you won't be carrying four or more persons a lot

3) you watch how much weight you add to the boat over time

4) a combination of 1-3 doesn't catch up to you.

For ordinary cruising, the 135 Honda will be fine. Otherwse, with the H 150 only marginally, different, I'd look at a larger displacement motor that was a 150 in detuned form, and about a 175 tuned up to run hard. Would also look at an e-tech, as their weight is considerably less than a four-stroke.

Joe.
 
I have another power consideration. The boat has a rear steering station on it already. I would like to have duplicate motor controls. I understand to go Yamaha the duplicate controls are pretty pricey(dealer indicated 3-4K). The Suzuki dealer gave a price for the duplicate controls which was less than I expected, less than 1,000. Don't know about the Honda, will check tomorrow. Does anyone have any experience with duplicate controls.

I was initially sure I wanted to go with an E-Tec, but I would like the kicker and main power to look similar, for cosmetic reasons primarily, and there is not a small E-Tec.

I was pretty impressed with the 150 Suzuki I looked at yesterday. What have been your experiences with newer Suzuki 4 strokes?

There will be times when I will have 4-5 folks and would like to be able to cruise 25 or so knots under those conditions, not that I would be doing this that often. I'm hoping a 150 would be OK for this.

AKDAVE
 
We have twin Suzuki 4 stroke 150's. They are the 175's detuned. The displacement is largest in the 150 class, and weight is toward the lower end of the group--except the E tec. Another advantage is that the Suzuki can swing a 16" prop--at least an inch larger diameter than the others in the group.

The Suzuki 140 (Johnson also used the 140 rebadged Suzuki)--(and the 150) which there are virtually no complaints about on the fishing boards.
Both Coast Guard and several charter boat operators have from 3500 to 7500 hours on these engines without problems.

I compared the Tom Cat 255 with the Honda 135's and the Suzuki's and there was a definate difference in handling--getting up on a plane, holding the boat on a high semidisplacement speed and up and down in speed appeared to be better with the Suzuki's. Fuel consumption seems to be about the same. I don't know how that will transulate to the C Dory 25 cruiser--but for us on the Cat the choice was fairly clear. (We did not try Yamaha or Merc--and do own both a 115 Yamaha, which is a good engine--and a smaller Merc, which has been very reliable. All of the engines are good at this point. Dealer support may be another issue you need to consider.
 
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