1996 Stratos 258 Repower

[dave524]

I have a 16' Stratos with a Johnson 88SPL V4 on it. I would like to repower, and am wondering what to go with. I can only go up to 90hp, but I hear that the new motors are more powerfull and I might not need that much HP. My main ideas are hp,in relation to top end speed, vs weight. And I would like to stay 2 cycle. I kind of would like a fuel injected engine. and am partial to Merc, but a deal is a deal, and I want to get the most Bang for my bucks ! Thanks in advance for the help. Dave

 

[JB]

Re: 1996 Stratos 258 Repower

New HP are still the same as old HP, Dave, as long as the engine is later than 1985.

If you must repower a JohnnyRude 90 is a good choice for several reasons. You haven't said what year your 88SPL is, but if it is recent you can put a JohnnyRude 90 on all of the same controls, etc.

On the other hand, you could power your Stratos with a JohnnyRude triple looper 70. You would lose about 3-4mph top end and cut your fuel usage to a bit more than half. It might use the same controls, etc. as the 88.

Another option I like is the Johnson/Suzuki DF70 EFI 4 stroke.

On my 16-17' Boston Whalers I used a pre-1985 Johnny V4 100HP, a Merc 90, a Johnny 70 and a Suzuki DF70.

The Suzi was definitely the most user friendly, quietest and most economical, but the weight affected handling a little bit. The Merc was terrible at low rpm.

The Johnny 70 made for the best handling boat with plenty of top end.