Repowering 21' Wahoo

[Mikecoh]

I just bought a 1989 Wahoo 21' offshore with a dead Yamaha 150. I plan to repower with something much newer and somewhat larger. I think 150 may be a tad small for the boat. Optimally I'd like to get close to 40 mph.<br />Several questions:<br />1.The boat has decent controls and gauges for the Yamaha. Would the 1989 vintage controls work with a late model Yamaha? If so, it seems like it might be beneficial to stay with a Yamaha motor.<br />2.I want to be as fuel efficient as possible but can't afford a 4-stroke (budget is less than $5000). Given that I'll be getting another 2-stroke, are the fuel injected models significantly more fuel efficient than carbed motors? Also are today's carbed motors better on fuel than the 1989 vintage stuff?<br />3.What is the general consensus on which year FICHT motors to avoid?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Repowering 21' Wahoo

There is a 1996 225 Yammy here for $5.5k:<br /><br /> http://www.boatmotors.com/rebuilt_outboard_motors/ <br /><br />On the FICHT - Go to the red search at the top of the page and enter FICHT - tons of info there.<br /><br />Out of curiosity wht is wrong with the 150 that you have? If running well I would think it should shove your boat into the 40s.

 

[Mikecoh]

Re: Repowering 21' Wahoo

Thanks for the reply. The motor got caught under a finger pier. High tide came in. Motor submerged and seized.

 

[Mikecoh]

Re: Repowering 21' Wahoo

There is a 1988 Yamaha 225 in my area for cheap money. While it goes against my initial plan to get something as fuel effecient as my wallet allows, I have to ask the following stupid question:<br /><br />Will a 1988 Yamaha 225 burn more fuel to push that boat at a 30 knot cruise than a 150 carbed motor would?<br /><br />I realize the 225 will eventually push the boat much faster and burn more fuel, but at similar speeds is there a fuel penalty with the bigger motor?

 

[Solittle]

Re: Repowering 21' Wahoo

You will probably get input on both sides to your question. <br /><br />While we are all miffed at the rising cost of fuel and wonder where it is going to level off I would look at it this way and worst case at that. Lets say that on a typical day outing that you burn 25 gallons of fuel with the 150 and 30 gallons with the 225. The defference is 5 gallons. If the extra cost of the 5 gallons is significant to you then it is a factor in your decision. As for me the cost of the 5 gallons of extra fuel would not be a factor.<br /><br />You will get input that the 150 should burn about 15 gallons per hour at WOT and the 225 22 1/2 gph. But who goes WOT for long periods of time.<br /><br />Both of those engines should push your boat well above 30 mph.