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carlosproa · 22-04-2018, 11:42

I have a 1985 EDELCAT33 with a single 15 HP 2 cycle Yamaha outboard with tiller and rope start

The engine propels the boat at 4 to 5 knots in slack current, and is a pig when crossing channels and the tide is against it (2 to 3 knots)

My question to the group is wether is worth upgrading to a 25 HP outboard or not? I would like electric start

In US all engines are 4 cycle and so they are heavy, not sure if there is a way to get a different propeller for the 15 HP or if the extra 10 HP on the 25 HP outboard would make a difference since I have read 4 cycle engines are very sluggish.

Right now looking at the Suzuki 25 hp, any other suggestions? Would love to have two engines to be able to spin the boat in marinas but is double cost and double headache and double weight

smj · 22-04-2018, 11:56

You would be better of with a Yamaha high thrust 9.9 4'stroke or a Honda 15 high thrust. We have the Honda 15 on our 38' 6700lb cat and top speed under power is low 7's cruising speed low 6's.

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44'cruisingcat · 22-04-2018, 14:23

If you were going for 25 HP, then the Yamaha 25 high thrust would be best suited. They're big, heavy engines though.

Does your current motor have a high thrust prop?

admiralslater · 22-04-2018, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by smj

You would be better of with a Yamaha high thrust 9.9 4'stroke or a Honda 15 high thrust. We have the Honda 15 on our 38' 6700lb cat and top speed under power is low 7's cruising speed low 6's.

Sent from my iPhone using Cruisers Sailing Forum

100% on the yamaha s our pdq 36 has 2 . One pushes at 6.5 and two at 7.5 . Great torque in bad weather and a usefull reverse

carlosproa · 22-04-2018, 18:01

I do not know the pitch of my propeller. I was looking at a 4 blade SOLAS AMITAS which supposed to provide great thrust. Is about $70 but I am not sure which pitch to get. They have 8,9,10,11,12
Before I jump into the next big investment, well - I guess I can blow $70 first

44'cruisingcat · 23-04-2018, 00:04

The size (diameter and pitch) should be stamped on the hub of the prop.

It would be worth measuring the clearance between the shaft and the cavitation plate so you can get the biggest diameter prop that will fit.

Of the pitches you've listed, I'd think the 8" would probably be as much as you'd want on a 15 hp.

As an example, I have 10" X 7 5/8" on Honda 20's on a 44' cat with 2 engines, and they're pretty much right.

LeeV · 23-04-2018, 08:39

This is what we just put on our 36' tri to replace the 2004 model that was getting really tired. She works extremely well for us, elec start, power thrust and all:

15HP Honda BFP15D3XRT 24800-ZY1-876 Control Box 14' Cables 1165489

Cadence · 23-04-2018, 09:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlosproa

I have a 1985 EDELCAT33 with a single 15 HP 2 cycle Yamaha outboard with tiller and rope start

The engine propels the boat at 4 to 5 knots in slack current, and is a pig when crossing channels and the tide is against it (2 to 3 knots)

My question to the group is wether is worth upgrading to a 25 HP outboard or not? I would like electric start

In US all engines are 4 cycle and so they are heavy, not sure if there is a way to get a different propeller for the 15 HP or if the extra 10 HP on the 25 HP outboard would make a difference since I have read 4 cycle engines are very sluggish.

Right now looking at the Suzuki 25 hp, any other suggestions? Would love to have two engines to be able to spin the boat in marinas but is double cost and double headache and double weight

A Honda 15 with the long leg 28" which is geared and propped for loads would probably do you fine. Heavy compared to your 2 stroke also heavy on the wallet. You get the electric start, charging, power T&T, Also control and steering cable ability.

Scout 30 · 23-04-2018, 09:19

Another option is the Etec 2 stroke. Lighter & more torque.

Erasmuss · 23-04-2018, 11:09

Price range is probably out of the park but there is a New German Designed / Yanmar Built Diesel Outboard that you may want to keep an eye on. Neander Shark Turbo Diesel Outboards ... I believe they currently only have a 50 HP version at a Basic Config. Weight of 175 Kg. If you believe their sales pitch it's supposed to be the cats meow ... Interesting Engine design with counter rotating crankshafts for a two cylinder engine which is supposed to eliminate vibration and the destructive forces associated to such. Just info and they speak of lower output engines in the future.

Erasmuss · 23-04-2018, 11:21

Probably to Heavy as Well ... Just checked basic specs on the Yamaha 25 HP High Thrust and it supposedly weighs 201 Lbs as opposed to 385 Lbs for a Turbo Diesel Outboard with 50 HP and 111 Nm of Thrust. Again just sending out info to new products on the market and possible options down the road when they broaden their product range.

Scout 30 · 23-04-2018, 11:24

I don't think the Yanmar will be sold in the US anytime soon because it doesn't meet the EPA emissions standards.

alansmith · 23-04-2018, 12:41

I just went through this last year. I literally looked at every outboard made and available in western USA. I looked at cost, weight, and features.

One of the features that was very important to me was fuel injection. Since USA has corn alcohol added to most fuel I didn't want the issue of gummy bears eating my gas hoses and clogging jets in carburetors. Check YouTube for what ethanol does to fuel hoses.

Honda's... and I love Honda engines... were not fuel injected. They were heavier than others. They were pricey. I looked very closely at the Yamaha. Nice big prop and has that low end grunt that regular outboards lack. Two strikes against the Yamaha... not fuel injected and can only buy electric start. What!!!???!!! Yes, you can't buy electric start with rope pull start. Amazing oversight IMO !

So, I got a Suzuki 9.9 hp, fuel injected, dual start, also has port for washing out the head of motor with water w/o starting the engine with ear muffs.

My Zuk sat from August till mid April and started on the second pull. I am pretty sure that the 10 hp and 20 hp are the same motors with just some porting and chips changing the output.

Ports-bote will only sell Susuki with their boats due to too many problems with other motors. I bought mine with electric lift because I am getting old. Do yourself a favor and go fuel injected.

I paid 2500 dollars in July '17. Call Porta-bote for best price I could find.