300 hpdi on 23 SF

[stoney]

A non computer user friend with a 1975 sf had his 250 1997 OX66 die. He is condidering a 300 HPDI. The dealer is offering a pretty good deal on the motor and all new controls. The boat had the transom redone from the outside by a very good fiberglass shop in South Jersey 7 years ago and shows no gelcoat cracks at all. However the boat is still in the original configuration with the livewell in the transom. Does anyone have any experience to offer on this setup or warnings on the downside of this setup?

[peterb]

Stoney,

A couple of things.

First, how did you do two weeks ago when I saw you out on Garden State North reef (and did you see my post with the pix of your boat?)

Second, here is a 23' SeaCraft for sale that has a 300 HPDI on it.

web page

Maybe you or your buddy want to reach out and ask the curent owner. I remember the previous owner said that it went about 50 MPH at WOT. I am sure that you have heard the debate about how good/bad the larger block HPDI's are. Many posts on this topic. I plan to drive my 200 HP OX66's for as long as possible. Whenever they go I will give serious consideration to twin HPDI's.

Lastly, are you still fishing? I pulled my rig out of the water late Thursday (worried about the canal behind my house freezing up). However, I am planning on another couple of tog trips between Xmas and early January.

Peter

[wavelength]

Is that the boat that was for sale here over a year ago? I think it was in Charleston or Savana, looks like the one I was going to sell mine and buy that one.

I remember the Sperry stickers.

[peterb]

Yes Matt, that's the same boat.

[eggsuckindog]

I had a Rude V8 on my Sceptre with the baitwell setup - 650lbs on that I think. Everything worked fine at that weight. Just not crazy about the HPDI's - they are having fits with the fuel and the VST's and filters plus that big block is kinda stained on rep after they first came out and had a bunch of troubles, resale will not be good.

[stoney]

Peter,
That trip was my first time ever at wreck fishing. I learned a lot. Mostly make sure you get out to the wreck before Peter gets all the fish, and bring the right anchoring equipment. I did see you pics, very nice fishing day for you guys.
I gave scott that guys phone number, so I'm sure he will call. thanks for the lead. I believe Yamaha got the 300 HPDI probelms behind them. Scott's brother has 2 of them on his 31 Contender and has no problems. It depends a lot on the dealer. He's working with a local dealer who I've bought from since 1961 and they have a good rep.
I pulled the boat and winterized it. I have to go down to help my Mom in Morehead City with some issues. I heard the bluefin are in 50 ft of water there. Hmmmmm.

[ripndip]

Stoney,

For what it's worth, the mechanic I last had my 150 HPDI's to said he would be a happy man/like the Maytag repairman if it weren't for the 250 and 300 HPDI's. He does exclusively Yamaha warranty and non-warranty repairs. The engines seemed to be plagued with plug issues (some as bad as 5-6 sets of plugs on one long excursion) followed by fuel problems.

I have been (for the most part) happy with my 150 HPDI's (2004) and my previous 200 HPDI (2001) although the 200 had some plug issues and blew a head gasket at 400 hrs which they replaced with a whole new powerhead.

While I have had no major problems with them since new/warr. start in 2007/425 hrs., there are a few things about Yamaha that drive me nuts. Specifically, known problems that they never bothered to fix in 10 yrs. plus- 1. Oil tanks (main) leak at caps- always- remote fills reportedly leak worse 2. Trim sensors - go bad once a year (only covered in 1st year of warranty) 3. oil reservoir caps leak if left trimmed up after 6-8 months (1st year warranty) 4. trim angle/bracket configuration does not trim the gear case out on some applications/requires bottom paint of nose cone

These are all highly known Yamaha problems, and yes I was told about the zip tie band-aid for the reservoir cap. The point is, how hard would it be for Yamaha to have fixed/redesigned these items? They did redesign the plastic arm that pushes the trim sensor out of metal. As for the rest, I guess Yamaha is o.k. with your bilge and splashwell having two stroke oil in it, your nose cone having bottom paint, and temporary trim sensors.

That being said, how hard do you think they are going to work to resolve problems for engines that are being phased out/replaced with four stroke technology?

Just my 2 cents. My 150's take me in harm's way and back, so I can't complain too much.

S

[stoney]

Ripndip,
thanks for the input. I agree with you on the annoying Yamaha issues. My 200 OX66 went through plugs like water until I started using ring free and now I get a year on a set of plugs. The extent of my personal research was talking to captains who have gotten 3000 hrs on yamaha 2 cycle OB's. My last trip with my Johnson Ocean Pro with a rod sticking through the case kind of soured me on them. I think a major issue for us in this area is how good is the dealer. I've seen complaints with all the brands of motors on various boards. Its a lot of horsepower in a small package used in salt water, run at high rpm. They'll all need TLC to get you home reliably.
My question on the setup should have been is this boat motor combo going to sit too low, be tail heavy, is 300 HP too much for the original transom design?

[eggsuckindog]

How much does it wiegh ??, as I stated my Sceptre handled 650 but a CC has more weight astern. I really think in that size engine he should look at 225 250 - 300 Etec's, they seem to have none of the issues the 2S yami's are with the ethanol, they are driving guys crazy. They seem to have gooten a handle on the origibal plug issues with them but alot of guys complain about very high oil usuage - they do have an oil pump recall out and not sure if that will fix it.

[stoney]

It's done. No numbers yet. http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...ney/scotts.jpg