Re-Power w/ new Suzuki 90...

[povertysucks]

I have a '72 20sf, and thinking about re-powering. What do you guys think about a new 90 zuke. I know the boat is easily effected by weight in the back. But the Zuke 90 is pretty light @ 341 lbs (for a 4stroke), and packs quite a punch for a 90hp. I'm not into speed, rather fuel economy, and reliability. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Brad

[Old'sCool]

I believe they're offering 6 years of warranty until 3-1-11 also.

[Fr. Frank]

It' sounds like a good motor. I run a 375 lb 90 hp Mercury Optimax. I cruise in the mid 20's, top out in the low 30's, and get better than 5 mpg at cruise. While the Zuke will use a hair more fuel, it is lighter in weight, and the warranty is great. And like the Optimax and Etec, the Zuke is underrated for horsepower. You'll probably actually get close to 100 hp at the prop. I know testing showed both the Etec and Opti 90hp OBs averaged 104-106 hp actual at the propshaft.

[povertysucks]

I just bought the boat, and it has an older inline 6 115 merc "blue band". It only has 204 original hours on it. It only needs a tune up. So in your opinion, do you think the zuke 90 would be an upgrade to that, or a downgrade? Or are these older inlines, pretty good?

[Fr. Frank]

Providing you're running the ADI electronic ignition, you're going to get marginally better performance from the Merc, than you are from the Suzuki. The Merc also weighs 50 lbs less at 296 lbs. The downside is that the Merc can use 30-40% more fuel, and that mixed two-stroke fuel costs more than the straight gas for the Suzuki, too.

That being said, the inline 6 cylinder "Tower of Power" motor is far and away my favorite outboard motor. With the right Boysen reeds, ported pistons, right carbs and jetting and free exhaust, the 89ci/1450cc liter 115 Mercury can produce 200 hp, and do it reliably. You just can never run it between 6500 and 7000 rpms. 9000 is okay, but run it at 6800 and it will self-destruct from harmonics. (I used to run a 1500XS 150 hp at 80+ mph on my 14'10" Cacci Craft, which was a Checkmate V-mate copy. The boat was named "Kamikaze Express")

Tim "Bigshrimpin" posted some amazing test results from Land n Sea from these motors a few years ago, including taking the big displacement version (the 99ci/1600cc 140/150 hp) and making it produce 240 hp at 9200 rpms.

[povertysucks]

Yea, I guess I really can't go wrong with either choice. I mean one is super light for a 4 stroke, packs a punch for it's size, and has an awesome name to back it up. The other is a great performer, just a tad bit of a gas guzzler. Nothings perfect eh?

-Brad

[McGillicuddy]

I run an '83 blue band Merc 115 on a 20' Seafari. I'm not sure what blue/red signifies maybe salt vs fresh or 20 vs 25" shaft?

At any rate I get best performance with a 15p Black Max prop. 36mph@5500 rpm 2 mpg.
Best economy comes @3750-4200 rpm getting 2.5 mpg at 23 to 27 mph. Fine motor but I'd swap it for a dfi 2S or that Zuke in a heartbeat if I had the extra $8K.

It would easily double my range and likely come close to tripling it. That is huge on tuna excursions.

Etec 90 is about 325 lbs and probably gets better economy than the Zuke throughout the rpm band... I understand the desire for a 4 stroke and that Zuke is the best of the lot, but check out that etec 90... and compare boat performance tests... I think you'll be surprised by what you find...

[FishStretcher]

There is a 150 hp tower of power for sale locally, and the thought has me interested. But I don't think I need to replace a 86 Yamaha with a 74 Merc.

Providing you're running the ADI electronic ignition, you're going to get marginally better performance from the Merc, than you are from the Suzuki. The Merc also weighs 50 lbs less at 296 lbs. The downside is that the Merc can use 30-40% more fuel, and that mixed two-stroke fuel costs more than the straight gas for the Suzuki, too.

That being said, the inline 6 cylinder "Tower of Power" motor is far and away my favorite outboard motor. With the right Boysen reeds, ported pistons, right carbs and jetting and free exhaust, the 89ci/1450cc liter 115 Mercury can produce 200 hp, and do it reliably. You just can never run it between 6500 and 7000 rpms. 9000 is okay, but run it at 6800 and it will self-destruct from harmonics. (I used to run a 1500XS 150 hp at 80+ mph on my 14'10" Cacci Craft, which was a Checkmate V-mate copy. The boat was named "Kamikaze Express")

Tim "Bigshrimpin" posted some amazing test results from Land n Sea from these motors a few years ago, including taking the big displacement version (the 99ci/1600cc 140/150 hp) and making it produce 240 hp at 9200 rpms.