18' SS repower question

wmgraphics · #1 November 3rd, 2009, 07:47 PM

Ok, Im finished my 1974 18' SS rebuild and now ready for a motor. It originally had a Johnson 115 which I rebuilt and sold for more than the whole package originally cost me. Sweet. I used the money to rebuild/ paint the boat and buy a lightly used nissan 3.5 kicker and bracket.
Main motor? Anyways with all the great deals and extended warranty offers out there right now with new and old stock outboards, I'm wondering what I should be looking for and what would work well for my boat. I really want to keep things light and will have maybe 3 at max including myself in the boat at all times (500lbs with gear). I'm really not into a whole lot of speed but I am into saving money, good fuel economy and as little outboard smoke and noise as possible. But I seriously don't want to under power the boat either.
This SS is very light (910lbs) so what is the smallest/lightest outboard I can get away with (2 and 4 stroke)? I found a couple great deals all with warranties...

Yami 70 2stroke - 2007 - new - 2year - $5400
BF50 - 2008 - 5hrs - 4.5 years - $4400
E-tech 60 - 2008 - 52 hours - 4 year - $5000
Merc 90 2stroke - 2007 - new - 3 year - $5300

Now if you can think of any other outboards that I should look into please let me know. Thanks!!

ezmobee · #2 November 4th, 2009, 10:01 AM

From that list I'd go with the Merc 90. My new-to-me '76 SS with a stripped out interior and 3 people hit 39MPH on our test run with an '81 Evinrude 90. I'm sure you could get away with less but at those prices why would you?

Huron Angler · #3 November 4th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Based on your priorities I'd go with the E-tec 60hp...very quiet, GREAT on gas, no smoke at all, and good price/warranty also. My dad has a 2009 E-tec 60hp and I couldn't believe how quiet and smokeless it was when we ran it this summer

It pushed his 17' tinny 35-40mph impressively.

If going faster than 30mph is important I'd go with EZ's pick for sure, the 60 may only push ya 25mph with an 18' hull.

Can we see some photos of the rig?

Good luck with her

86 century · #4 November 5th, 2009, 08:30 PM

My new to me 80 ss has a 80 70hp merc runs 34mph on speedo(for what it is worth) with just me and two gallons of fuel.

AmigoAzul · #5 November 5th, 2009, 10:29 PM

I would go used and look for a good 100 to 115 with low hours and not spend a few grand. I've seen some nice ones on CL for a few hundred to a 2k. A lot easier to maintain and reliable. A good outboard isn't really broken in till about 200 hrs. Stay away from 4 strokes until the reliability increases and parts costs go down.