Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

[texasmaid]

I am restoring an old girl (1957 Texas Maid). She's 14' and seats four. She has a steering wheel. I want to install a four stroke on her, but really can't determine the size of engine and impact of the engine weight. Her transom requires a short shaft. Would a 10, 15 or 20hp be appropriate? Please give some advice.....the water is hard in Michigan and I can't float her now to check weights.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

Welcome to iboats!

Being in VT I sincerely understand hard water

Most 30 HP 4 strokes are under 200 lbs and you should be safe there. Many of the older texas maids had the old 40 hp on them and the older ones were never too light. I doubt you would have a problem and even a nice 40 hp 4 stroke or a 50 hp are available at 200 lbs.

I am moving this post to Non-Repair Outboard Discussions where you will get alot of suggestions.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

Welcome to iboats, I'm in Indiana so I am having a problem with hard water too.

If you can get a battery up towards the bow that would help alot.

As far as power a 20 should move her out very well, a 40 would really go.

I am in the camp that static weight is less of a problem than thrust, a transom HP rating is based more on the power of the engine than the hanging weight, so 40 4-stroke HP is the same as 40 2-stroke HP as far as the transom is concerned, of coarse if you are going to tow this boat I reccomend a transom saver.

You have 3 really heavy items to work with, motor, gas and battery, the motor is where it is so if you move the gas or a battery forward it should work, maybe don't finish finish the boat till you can float it just in case.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

have you considered the ETEC. the old 40's were about 150#'s.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

You might consider how you plan to use her. If your going to be alone most of the time, a 20/25 might be Ok, if your going to reagularly load it up with people (and still want to plane), go 30-40.

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

well i would consider an etec liek tasha said. they say no maitenence required for 3 years.( id prefer every two years cause of the price of the outboards.) etecs get a bit pricey i must say but they do get better fuel eco then most forustrokes. the 40-60 hp rnage is most liekly out of question cause the fact that they r they weigh in at a large 240 pounds. the 25-30 hp is really since since thye weigh 150-180 pounds depending on ur options.

but there r some nice older outboard out there that weigh half as much as the newer ones sometimes. oh yeah and the etec claim no breakin period. but u might be able to find a used etec also

 

[mthieme]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

I don't know about other brands,
But my (older) two stroke Mercs weigh...
25 - 112#
35 & 402 - 150#
50 - 199#
The new four strokes are...
25 - 157#
35 - 172#
40 - 216#
50 - 247#

Roughly 50# more for 4 stroke.
I wonder if and when the USCG will update the boat plates to take 4 strokes into account?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

if price ins t a factor etec r nice but there is other comapnys with two strokes and four stroks.

im curious y u wnat a four stroke?

 

[mthieme]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

He may not have a choice.
It looks like Merc is now totally four stroke at least 60hp and under.
I assume the other manufacturers are the same (?).

 

[coolguy147]

Re: Four Stroke on Older Aluminum (what hp?)

there r always other manufactors u know