Re-Powering my 17’ Aluminum Deep “V” 2004 Smoker Craft

[Fishbowl836]

Re-Powering my 17’ Aluminum Deep “V” 2004 Smoker Craft

I currently have a 25 Hp 4 stroke Yamaha Electric Start tiller (No Power Trim and Tilt) on my boat but due to an Overheating issue this spring and continued problems I am considering re-powering my boat. 

 

Opt #1 – Replacing the current motor with another Yamaha 4 stroke was my first choice.  The boat is rated for a 40 Hp motor so I have been thinking about going up to a 30 Hp motor.  The problem is the new 30 Hp weights almost 240 lbs compared to my current motor which weighs 155 lbs.  The another option was to go to the new 25 Hp motor that has been made into a portable unit that only weigh 126 lbs.  In both cases the cost of these motors are higher than the other two option and the current quotes do not include the power trim and tilt. Break in period of 10 hours before trolling again.

 

Opt #2 – Replacing the current motor with a new 2017/18 Mercury 4 stroke. This motor would be almost the same weight as the current motor.  The new one would have the EFI, Electronic Start and Power Trim and Tilt.  Motor seems nice and it seems like parts would be pretty easy to get in the future.  Also preventative maintenance seems to be pretty straight forward.  One down side is the break in period of 10 hours before I can be back to fishing again. 

 

Opt #3 – Replacing the current motor with a new 2018 Evinrude 2 stroke ETC 30 Hp.  The price of this unit falls right between the other two options.  It also has Electronic Start, Power Trim and Tilt and has a trolling option to increase or decrease the speed in 50 rpm increments.  This motor also comes with the longest warranty of 6 years.  No maintenance until either 300 hours or 3 years whichever comes first and no break in period. 

 

I would like your opinion on what motor you would choose to replace my current motor and why?  If you or any of your friends have had any bad experiences with any of these motors in the past I would like to hear about it.  All of these motor seem nice but I am just not sure what to do at this point.  I am so afraid that the boat will not fish the same in the future.  Any help or words of advice on this matter would be appreciated. 

 

[suttontroller94]

Hard to beat a 4 stroke and break in period doesn't seem like a huge deal. Can you throw muffs on it as part of break in? Or do you have to be on the water running? 

[PassalugoFishingInc]

While I don't have any of the three motors my uncle runs a 2017 evinrude etec 90 Hp and that thing is sweet. Its super quiet, fast, starts up on first key turn. To date he has had zero issues with it and he loves it. Went from a merc 4 stroke back to the 2 stroke and said best decision hes ever made. Again Idk much about them but I do know I couldn't believe how quiet and quick it was.

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[Fishbowl836]

Hard to beat a 4 stroke and break in period doesn't seem like a huge deal. Can you throw muffs on it as part of break in? Or do you have to be on the water running? 

I am told break-in needs to be in the water. Apparently you need to go to many different rpm's during this period of break-in. No low low speed trolling at all.


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[suttontroller94]

Sounds like could make it happen in one day if you really wanted to  and a 10hr break in for a 4stroke vs a 2 stroke sounds like an easy trade for me for what it's worth a 4 stroke your gonna save money in the long run

Edited September 21, 2017 by suttontroller94

[bandrus1]

5 hours ago, suttontroller94 said:

Sounds like could make it happen in one day if you really wanted to  and a 10hr break in for a 4stroke vs a 2 stroke sounds like an easy trade for me for what it's worth a 4 stroke your gonna save money in the long run

 

 

I trolled 9 hours and ran 6 miles with my 90 etec on sat and burnt exactly 3.35 gallons on gas

[suttontroller94]

1 hour ago, bandrus1 said:

 

 

I trolled 9 hours and ran 6 miles with my 90 etec on sat and burnt exactly 3.35 gallons on gas

That's impressive!

[Bada Bing]

Why not rebuild the one you have?

[thork9]

Etec greased main bearings, once you over heat and grease leaks out just a matter of time.  Ask a person with etec skidoo snowmobile , rebuild around three thousand miles. Your car four stroke, home many miles do you get on that four stroke. If your ever by the ocean notice how many  4 stroke Yamaha motors there are out there, longevity. I'd by any of the four strokes, super quiet. Oh how many four stroke kickers do you see out on Onatrio? Also no smell no I forgot the oil. Just my thinking  merc, Yamaha, Nissan, Honda !

[Bosun Cowboy]

Whatever you do. Buy a Yamaha or a Honda , They are the best motor being built .. I own a 115 and it's been nothing butt awesome in every aspect. I Also fish the gulf in Fla during the winter. And 90% of the motors on the water are Yamaha.


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[thork9]

X2

[NPike]

Can't beat Honda.  You can't beat Seager's for service in Canandaigua. Arny's in Sodus also sell's them.  Some brake-in (only 10 hours follow manual). Break-ins much better than it used to be.

[Rock bass bones]

I am told break-in needs to be in the water. Apparently you need to go to many different rpm's during this period of break-in. No low low speed trolling at all.


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[cmc5028]

Yahama or a Tohatsu 

[Gator]

Yamaha 4-stroke, all day.