[Turn-key]

I just purchased a (new to me.. built in 1999) Legend Sport Fish 166 boat. (16.6 ft aluminum with full steering etc.) Boat weighs aproximately 950lbs empty.I want to change the under powered engine to a larger one so that I can easily get "on top" and cruise at 28-32 mph with two people on board. I would like to do this without having to run the motor "full out". The max rating plate in the boat says 70 HP. (can I cheat and go to a 75 HP model?)I read a great deal on the net and here are some of my best guesses for a replacement.Mecury 4 stroke EFI 60 HP. (light enough and yet a 4 stroke) (does EFI make this better than the Yamaha next)Yamaha 4 stroke 60 HP.Yanaha 70 HP 2 stroke. Cannot seem to locate this one anywhere near me. Is this model discontinued?A 4 stroke, EFI Johnston 60 HP. (perhaps too heavy. The salesman told me it had Dual Overhead Cam - 4 Valves/Cyl but the net literature does not match this)Is there a new model?I am seeking everybody's advice on a motor that will provide the best performance versus weight options. The 4 stroke models are nice but I can be just as happy with a great 2 stoke if I can get better performance per weight gains.I would like to get as close to a 70HP if I can unless you folks thing that I will be quite happy with a 60 HP on this boat. I do not have enough experience to tell what a 60 versus 70 will compare like and cannot try unless I purchase the motor.One last question for a newbie to this stuff.Which prop (pitch) should I get when I buy the motor? I already asked the sales people at the shop and they said that the choice was up to me. Some help they are for a new guy.Thanks for any guidance you can offer.

[JB]

Yes, TK, EFI makes a lot of difference in 4 strokes. Better starts, better economy, better flexibility.For your boat, go with the Johnson/Suzuki 70HP EFI 4 stroke. It weighs the same as the 60 and has more punch. That engine has turned out to be a real winner.The weight of your boat suggests a 17" or 18" prop.For 2 adults, I suggest that you start with a SS 18" and see if you can get her to turn over about 5500rpm (5800 is redline). If she wont do over about 5200, go to a 17".Good luck.

[Bill in IN]

TK:You may want to look at the new Evinrude e-tec. It is available as a 60 but not a 70 (there's a 75). Very nice motor. I have a 50 and it pushes my 18' Alaskan nicely( 760lbs).Trout

[Forktail]

Yamaha's proven 4-stroke F60 is EFI. It weighs in at 237 lbs....that's lighter than Merc's EFI 60 (248 lbs). The 2-stroke DFI E-Tec 60 will weigh 235 lbs....only 2 pounds lighter than the Yamaha. The Suzuki DF70 will be 100 lbs heavier.Yes, Yamaha still makes the 2-stroke 70. It'll weigh in at 228.IMO, the Yamaha EFI F60 at 237 lbs would be the choice. And I wouldn't exceed the manufacturer's HP recommendation.

[Turn-key]

Hi,Just thought I would drop back in and let you know what I decided. I went with the Mercury 60 HP (4 stoke EFI) for the boat. My decision was swayed by the fact of availabilty in my area of motors to be purchased without having to wait a few weeks and the fact that my boat already had Merc controls.Also the area I will be using the boat the most is is dominated by a Merc dealer whom I have known for many years. As many posters indicated in these forums, go with a motor that has a good local dealer.On the the orignal dealers suggestion (not dealer as per above) I had a 14 pitch prop installed. I spent the better part of five hours on a local lake breaking in the engine as per directions in the manual.Engine ran very good, extremely easy to start (EFI feature) and did not even bump my gas gauge down a single bit from full tank for the whole testing period. (46 liter tank) I found this unbelievable but it is true.The only disappointment was that for those few brief moments I ran full open (as per manual) and being properly trimmed I was only able to make 4900 RPM. I called the dealer and he is sending a 13 pitch prop for me to test.Hopefully this will place me into the proper RPM range and perhaps I can gain a bit more top speed in the deal.Well that is my update that might hopefully help somebody else decide what to purchase. Also I should mention that I was getting about 34-35 mph. at top speed for those few brief moments of breaking in the engine. The air was about 75 degrees, water at about 50 degrees and I am at a very high altitude (3500 above sea level).Regards,

[seahorse5]

For 2005 there will be an Evinrude 70 hp E-TEC motor. It will be a twin cylinder economy motor. They were introduced for smaller boats where weight could be an issue, for pontoons, and for the 15-16-17' flats boats market.

[Forktail]

Congrats Turn-key. That's a proven outboard, and when you get it propped better you'll like it even more. I wouldn't have suggested rolling the dice with a new and unproven version of the 70 E-Tec.