Powering 21' North River Seahawk Question

GaryB · 08-20-2006, 09:08 AM

I am going to purchase a 21' North River Seahawk in a few weeks and wanted to get some feedback from NR owners on the motors you guys are using. I have decided on a four stroke.

I plan on using this boat for River,Bay inshore for bottom fish and ski and tubing with the family.
Any suggestions?

I live on the coast so honda is the only service rep near me but I understand that there is not alot of maint. with the four strokes. The place where I'm getting boat handles Yamaha and understand they are top notch.

Any comments would be appreciated!!
Thanks
GaryB

timinthegorge · 08-20-2006, 11:44 AM

Although I don't own a NR..... after a recent Fire, I re-powered my 19' Alumaweld window boat with a 115 (biggest motor rated for the boat) 4 stroke. I'm still in the 10 hour break-in period, but IMHO you've made the right choice going with a 4-stroke. I'm loving mine.... :grin:

Don't know what your 21' NR is rated at, but if you can afford it, go with as close to USCG max as possible, especially since you're going to be using it for multiple activities....

My new 115 is a Merc, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of the large-outboard manufacturers these days. Honda, Yami, Suzuki, Merc, all make great motors....

Service is important, especially on a new motor, if you choose a dealer you trust close to home, the better off you'll be...

Hope that helps.... Enjoy the new boat!! Tim

Thomas Gilg · 08-20-2006, 12:00 PM

My wife and I are now thumbing thru NR/Alumaweld/HewesCraft catalogs. What are the major reasons for going with an inboard jet vs. outboard prop? Other than running shallow water, it sure seems that an outboard prop is the better deal - better gas mileage, more efficient, frees up deck space, quieter (?), better backup/reverse capability. Which is cheaper to own over time?

Thomas Gilg

chukarpointer · 08-20-2006, 01:57 PM

A friend just took delivery of the same boat and had a 150 4stroke Yami put on the outboard bracket on the swim platform.
Probably the best engine IMO. Also since it's a 4cylinder it is good on gas consumption.
I am aware of the Honda 130, but not sure if they have anything larger.

Good luck!

WaterDog · 08-20-2006, 03:01 PM

If your pulling a skier you might want more than the 150 otherwise it seems to be the way to go. Great economy and power for fishing purposes.

Thomas - you need to decide where and how your going to use your boat. If you don't plan on running skinny or rapids, get the 4-stroke prop. It will use less fuel and maybe a little cheaper to maintain. On the other hand the jet will open up more water to you. On one weekend I was halibut fishing out of Newport, couple weeks later I was run in Hell's Canyon. :grin: Only a jetboat can do that. Happy hunting!

GaryB · 08-20-2006, 05:19 PM

Thank-you for the input!

If it was just for fishing, the 150 would be great match.
Guess that's why i'm not sure @ this point.
Is there anyone out here that has a 21' NR with a motor larger than the 150?
The sales rep says that a 200/225 work work good on this boat but several more $$$.
I just don't want to wish I would have got somthing different after the purchase.

namu mac · 08-20-2006, 06:18 PM

If you have doubts go with the largest that can be put on the boat and you wallet will allow.

Tacklebuster · 08-20-2006, 08:05 PM

Put 150 plus miles on her and had her running a solid 10 plus hours and she only charged me 40 gallons of petro. Good motor, good economy, plenty of power

ICHTHYDEMON · 08-20-2006, 08:07 PM

With a 150 Yamaha on a 21' Seahawk you should see 40+ MPH. Trimmed up alot of guys are reporting 43-44 as top speed.

IMO the Yamaha F150 (4 stroke) is a perfect match for a 21' Seahawk. Before I bought my 20' Seahawk with the F150,I test drove a 21' with the same motor and it had no shortage of power. It would EASILY do what you want. Tubing really doesn't take much power,you're not pulling anything out of the water,the tube ride on top from the start.

toddsnorthriver · 08-21-2006, 04:34 AM

I bought my 21 Seahawk last year and after many nights of should I get this motor or should I get this motor, I went with the Yamaha 225. With 70 gallons of gas, 4 or 5 fishing buddies and all the gear it takes to keep them happy, I am glad I went with the extra power. My only mistake was not getting a stainless steel prop. That problem will be fixed soon.

lurking_out_loud · 08-21-2006, 06:54 AM

I also have a 21' SeaHawk rigged with a 225 4 stroke Yami with a SS prop. No doubt in my mind that this is the way to go. The performance is amazing, fuel consumption is pretty low (up to 3.5mpg at 40mph!)and the sound levels generated from the 4 stroke is little more than a throaty growl.

Fishing fully loaded, 4 large (as in 200lb men) with equipment, ice and the rest I can get the boat up on step quickly and without a lot of effort. If you are looking for a multiuse boat/motor combo, you will want to step on up and get the bigger motor. I'm sure a 150 will do the job most of the time, but there are times when having more power is better.

Good luck, and see you out there.

-LOL

Gundog · 08-21-2006, 07:55 AM

I have the 21' Seahawk with the 150 I think it is OK for power but if I had the decision to make again I might step up the HP a little. I would look at the Suzuki 175 that might be a good comprimise between the 150 and 200 but if the cost is the same grab all the HP you can get. When I bought my boat I wanted other options more than the extra HP and spent the money in other places. I had already blown the budget by about 10K so I comprimised. My 150 will push me 43 MPH when all is perfect but when it is heavily loaded it sometime takes a little longer to get on plane. I have a SS prop if you get the 150 make sure to get the SS prop. When I took delivery the engine had an aluminum prop and it was very slugish and did not plane well. My boat goes over the scales at around 5500 pounds I carry a little gear and have aluminum floors with truck bed liner radar arch and closed bow. My boat is probably heavier than the average Seahawk.
GD my .02

One other note I don't pull skiers with my boat if I did I would go with the 225.

bassin · 08-21-2006, 02:00 PM

Can't speak to the 21 foot, I have a 22' with the Yami 250. Love it,I would think the 225 on a 21 would be great. Don't need to put your foot into it. But you have the power if you need it. And I strongly believe in the SS prop.

crabbait · 08-21-2006, 04:51 PM

I have a 23' Edwing. This year went from a 140hp Suzuki to 225 Honda, both 4-stroke props. There is no question, if you can afford the extra ponies never look back!

I don't use much more fuel than I did with the 140hp because I am running the engine in the bottom-center of its power band instead of at 95%. The engine is quiter at the lower rpm and I have the extra poop when I need it. This really comes in when I am coming back with a load and following seas. We don't come off plane anymore!

GaryB · 08-21-2006, 06:51 PM

Thank-you Ifishers for your opinions, I thought that my decision on a boat was going to be easy, then theres the motors and all the hoo haa's that go along with it to make it even more interesting.

After going over spec sheets from yamaha (BTW they have the north rivers boats on there website to compare performance)and looking @ my budget, I decided to go with the F200 v6 Yamaha. I do like the 225, Same block, more HP but I am pushing the limit with the funds and this should be a good
all around setup for my family.

Thank-you again I-fishers

GaryB
Bay City/Astoria

ICHTHYDEMON · 08-21-2006, 07:02 PM

When I bought my boat I was told the T8 has more thrust than the regular 15HP. Even with the great deal on the 15 is it a better deal than a T8?

chukarpointer · 08-21-2006, 07:03 PM

Sounds like a great setup GaryB...especially the 15hp kicker if most of your time is spent in the current heavy LC. Will you be ablet to get it in time rigged for the fall season?

WaterDog · 08-21-2006, 07:54 PM

Does the 15hp have power tilt? If your looking at tiller controls look at the difference in how they are set up. The 15hp has a cheap gear shift that is next to the cowling and not on the tiller handle. The tiller is also shorter. I own both of these outboards and the T8 is a better kicker motor. You'll also find that the 15 will not push you any faster than the 8. Look at the size of the props. I can push my 6000lb boat 6 to 7 mph with the T8. You might also look into the XL shaft as well.

GaryB · 08-21-2006, 08:33 PM

I just found a few pics of the 15 on the internet...
Don't really like the ergonomic layout of motor. Since I will be spending alot of time on the other end of the tiller handle, I better get somthing that will be a pleasure to operate. I also found a few bad reviews (no positive) on the 15 as far as hard starting and not-so-smooth trolling.
Understand the t8 is a pleasure to troll with.

I'm going to spend a few more $$ and get the t8 LS elect start/tilt.

Hope to have it in a few weeks....

Thanks again....

GaryB

GaryB · 08-22-2006, 04:08 PM

BTW...great picture TackleBuster....
Is that why you purchased a RED boat!!!

Cheers!

GaryB

fish_on · 08-22-2006, 06:30 PM

I have the T200 on a 06/21' More than enough power, I had 70 gallons of fuel 6 adults and a bunch of gear and we had no problems. I question my tuna range it seem like it uses about 6% more fuel than the 150. Stick with the S.S 19P prop. If you still have a choice get the offshore bracket that goes all the way across it will make your kicker perform better.

Bluto · 08-22-2006, 07:15 PM

Northriver has been shipping some of their boats from the factory with Suzuki's mounted on the back. I wanted a Yami on the back of my MM, but went Suzi based upon pricing, specs & reviews. I have been very impressed with my DF225 & would recommend a Suzi 4-Stroke main motor to anyone. Go with the Yami T8 Kicker - there is no equal.

Blue Seaduction · 08-22-2006, 08:00 PM

I have a New 21' N/R with the offshore bracket that is out fitted with a 150 Yammie 4 stroke. Way enough power.
We also had them put in a removable ski pole.

lucky2 · 08-23-2006, 06:59 PM

Hey Fishing Gun, You get that thing broke in yet???

Blue Seaduction · 08-24-2006, 07:22 AM

10.2 hours

lucky2 · 08-24-2006, 07:30 AM

Time to go fishing!