Engine Choice for new N.R. Seahawk.... DECIDED?????

gimmeumpqua · 02-16-2003, 09:09 AM

My 21 ft. NR Seahawk is just about to hit production. During this wait, I have had many ask "Why do you need a 225 4stroke Yamaha when a 115 would do"? So, I'm asking your opinions.(NR doesnt sell 130 or 140 4 strokes)

This boat has an 8 ft. beam and a 6'10" bottom...a bit wider than the common 6ft. bottom. It has an offshore bracket, and the aluminum is all 1/4"...so a bit heavier. North River says I wouldn't be happy with the 115.

What would you do...any opinions on comparative performance characteristics on similar boats with a 115? It's 5 grand less!

Thanks,

Kurt

[ 02-17-2003, 02:41 PM: Message edited by: gimmeumpqua ]

corrirod · 02-16-2003, 09:42 AM

I can't speak for your particular boat Kurt but I can give you an example of why you would want to go with more power based on my situation.

I have a 20' Trophy with a 120hp Force outboard. Is that enough power? Yes and No. It's enough power if you only have 2 people on the boat and conditions are good but it's not enough if you've got 400lbs of tuna, 3 people, 200 lbs. of ice and gear on a choppy ocean.

The other drawback to that is fuel consumption. Because of my lack of power the motor has to work twice as hard to achieve plane. For example, Salmonator has the same boat I do except he has a 6 cyl. 150hp Merc. and gets twice the mileage I do.

Like I said, I can't give you specific advice on your boat but these are a couple of questions you might want answers to when making your choice. It's a new boat, give'er all you can.

02-16-2003, 09:52 AM

You can always use 1/2 throttle and save the extra power to get you out of trouble. I'd rather have 2 100hp motors.

Orca · 02-16-2003, 10:13 AM

More power! Unless you are pinching pennies, but then upgrading later when you are unhappy is going to be more expensive.

Pirate · 02-16-2003, 01:21 PM

I used to have a 18.6 foot NR Mariner with a 150hp Yamaha prop. It's smaller than the boat you have on order and I never felt like I wanted less power.
Why can't NR get you a 140? :whazzup:

[ 02-16-2003, 05:17 PM: Message edited by: Pirate ]

fishwhenican · 02-16-2003, 01:27 PM

I have a 20' Koffler, 6' bottom, 8' beam .190 bottom .120 sides. Running a 115 HP Merc 4 stroke. Top speed: 38 mph with 2 people, about 34 with 4 people. Runs about 24mph at 4200 rpm.

I usually run between 4200-4500 rpm. This combo has given between 3.5mpg and better than 7 mpg
TUNA trip better than 5 mpg, 2 day trip salmon fishing Chinook to the CR bouy (90 miles) burned 1.2 gal in 8HP kicker and 7.5 in main tank. 4 strokes are soo much better on fuel than 2 strokes.

Do I wish I had more power? OF COURSE! do I need it? no

I would strongly consider finding/rigging a 140 Susuki to your boat rather than a 225 hp I don't think you will need the additional power and the boat will sure sag more in the rear (don't we all)
My .02 :smile:

[ 02-16-2003, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: fishwhenican ]

skein · 02-16-2003, 02:39 PM

There are good deals to be had on the 140 Suzuki right now - that's the motor I'd go for in a heartbeat. The power/weight/cost ratio makes it the best deal out there. It's amazing the extra gph you get by NOT being on the last bit of throttle all the time.

Talk to those people - if they're pushing Yami's that hard it's because it works best for THEM, not you. You're the one that's gonna live with the setup, not the dealer.

My .02

Skein

Joe · 02-16-2003, 05:53 PM

A mechanic friend told me today that the wait for most 4 stroke Yamahas is until July (at least). You don't suppose they are just trying to sell you what they can get right now?

I have an 18.5' NR Seahawk with a 105 Jet and it is just adequate. Never been underpowered but any less would be.

Re:Play · 02-16-2003, 06:17 PM

I had a 17' Arima with a 90 Johnson on and now have a 19' Arima with a 150 Yamaha 2 stroke. While I have never needed to bury the throttle, I will not ever buy a motor that is much less than the maximum the boat is rated for.

My 150 is more economical than my 90 was, and I run 45 mph with 2 people and lots of gear. I have never felt I had too much power on the back of a swell! my .02

Chaps · 02-16-2003, 07:43 PM

Yup, the Suze 140 would be great on that boat . . . also check the Johnson 140 4 stroke (rebadged Suzuki) and you'll be able to troll with it . . . no kicker needed IMO.

1pump · 02-16-2003, 08:12 PM

With a boat that big and wide, I wouldn't think weight would be much of an issue. Your 225 might be 170 lbs heavier than a 140, but that 170 lbs makes 85 more HP.
A 115? IMHO, forget it. I'd hate to spend $$ on a new boat only to be unhappy with its performance.
A 140 would be the minimum I'd run. But if you've already set up the financing and are comfortable with the payment, stay with the 225. Just my .02, but I'm a power freak. I like the scenery to fly by in a blur.

[ 02-16-2003, 09:14 PM: Message edited by: 1pump ]

Salmonator · 02-16-2003, 11:05 PM

I did a little searching...

Honda, Yami and Merc's 225 4 strokes all weigh within 10lbs of each other (in the 580's)

Honda makes a 130 4stroke that weighs 496 (almost 100lbs lighter)

Suzuki makes a 140 4stroke that weighs in at 410 (almost 200lbs lighter than the 225's)

Merc optimax 150 weighs 431 (two stroke but very clean and efficient and I'm guessing much cheaper than a 4 stroke but I could be wrong).

A 20ft. bayliner trophy's hull weight is approximately 3,000lbs dry and a 150 prop scoots it along just fine. The 21' NR Seahawk hull weighs in at 2,300 dry (700lbs lighter, a significant difference) and I'm guessing a 140 or 150 horse will make this boat fly.

If this was my boat I would go with the 140 'zuki first, the 150 opti second and the 130 honda third. Find some people with these motors and ask some questions. And if NR won't install any of these motors I'd have somebody else build my boat. I think you're going to spend thousands of dollars extra for 75 horsepower and lots of weight you don't need.

Hope that wasn't too much info :grin:

'ZZZZzzzzzz' · 02-17-2003, 12:14 PM

There is no replacement for displacement.

Too big? What's that? Get the horsepower. I had an underpowered boat and it was no fun with a load.

Z's-

gimmeumpqua · 02-17-2003, 01:40 PM

Great Response! Thanks!....
I've made a decision...is this rational?

I inquired about the Suzuki 140...problem is, the nearest dealer is going to stop servicing and selling them. The next nearest dealer is 200 miles away! I also found out that Yamaha is coming out with a 150 4 stroke in 2 months...which would be perfect...although I don't like being a first owner of a new product. The Honda 130 is 90 pounds lighter than the 225 Yamaha, so no great savings there. So...I did this...

I upgraded my boat to a 22 footer (due to go in production next month and am keeping the 225 Yamaha!

Waddya think?

Kurt

skein · 02-17-2003, 01:42 PM

Purrrrfect! [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

I'll bet you love it!

Skein

Captn · 02-17-2003, 02:08 PM

Sounds like a good match and one that will be fun for a long time.
Congrats

Denali · 02-17-2003, 02:09 PM

Kurt,

You are making the right call. If you are dead set on the 4-stroke you nailed it. You would not have been happy with the 115 at all and the 140 while a great motor would have been on the light side as well. The Seahawk was my boat of choice along with the willie Asaltor(sp). Nice rig, please post a pic when you finally get it. I have the Yam 200 HPDI and have no complaints at all. You'll be operating at the low to mid RPM ranges at cruise and the motor will last a very long time. Great choice.

'ZZZZzzzzzz' · 02-17-2003, 02:33 PM

Good Call. I think that over time you will like your decision more and more.

Z's-

Re:Play · 02-17-2003, 03:30 PM

I think you made 2 excellent decisions!

corrirod · 02-17-2003, 04:09 PM

Wow! I wish that would work on my wife!

"Honey, we've got a 20' foot boat and I can't decide if I should go with a 140 or 150hp so I'm just going to get the 27'Explorer with twin diesels, sound o.k.?"

Sensei-san · 02-17-2003, 08:00 PM

Corrirod.... When ever I tried that on the boss, she definitely thought I had lost my marbles.

Usually she will relent after a few years of one boat and get tired of all the whining about how it won't do this or that or this or that is broken.

More like: "With a bigger boat, I can get more tuna." That seems to work after three or four years.

Engines and boat sizes don't go over too big with the bosses. They just see more expenses and time away from home.

gimmeumpqua · 02-17-2003, 08:06 PM

LOL!!

I guess I must be pretty luck cuz my wife wants me to do what makes me happy....so as long as I keep her in horses..............

Yeah, thats right...HAYBURNERS!...makes boats seem cheap!

Sensei-san · 02-18-2003, 08:32 AM

Yup, I know about HAYBURNERS....

The female equivalent of boats and tuna fever....

(I have a friend that is a horselover and she is one of the best tuna fishermen that I know. She can outfish most of the boys.)

Rip'N'Lips · 02-18-2003, 09:52 AM

Gimme-

I have a 115 hp Yamaha on my new Duckworth 19' Advantage. With 2 people on the boat, it goes about 42 mph. Plenty for a 19' boat, I thought about the 150 hp 2 -stroke for the same price, but I am glad I went with the engine I have.

The 225 does sound like a little overkill. I would seriously look at the HPDI series, maybe the 150 or 175... definately stick with Yamaha. I love mine!!!!

Good luck

Rip'N'Lips