Is a Verado to heavy for my 79' 23' savage?

[crsurf]

I just talked to a dealer about a new motor for my savage w/bracket. He said a 4 stroke would be too heavy for my boat. I guess the Verados are 650 lbs. Has any one run a verado or other 4 stroke on a 23 ? I am looking at the verado because I am already rigged for mercury. I would also like any info on the optimax 200-250s Thanks!

[Fr. Frank]

No, you can run a Verado just fine.

Your boat was originally rated for TWIN 25" V6 outboards up to 500 hp total on the transom - that's over 800 pounds when talking about the Evinrude 150-235's, and nearly 1000 lbs if speaking of twin V6 big-block 250 Mercs of the day.

(Although I confess, the only comparable boat in size I have seen with t/250 BB Mercs was a 233 Formula converted from twin Mercruisers to Gil brackets. It sat very low in the water)

However, you have, as well, a flotation bracket to help float the motor(s).

A single 300-350 hp Verado is no sweat.

[crsurf]

Thanks for the info. He told me the bracket made it worse. I found a 99 optimax for cheap. I have heard good and bad about them.
does anyone have any input?

[Fr. Frank]

If your bracket was an open Gil bracket, or Porta-Bracket, it would make a difference, but not so much you couldn't evn run twin V6 2.5L Mercs just fine.

Some of the '99 - '02 V6 Optimax's had some computer problems, which should have been covered entirely under the original warranty. If the '99 you're looking at wasn't updated under warranty, it could be problematical.

On the other hand, most of those old Opti's never showed any problems at all. And certainly the Optimax weighs considerably less than a Verado. I know I wouldn't suggest running anything less than 250 hp with a single on a bracket on a Savage, and 275-300 is really a more reasonable minimum power.

[gss036]

I am currently running a Honda 225 HP on my 1989 23WA. My boat was made for twin engine set up, it handles it ok. I had to raise the engine up a couple of hole and go to Power Tech 4 blade stern lifting prop to stop some porpoising problems. I do set a little lower in the stern with the Honda and have to be careful of some of the big wakes made by large boats passing too fast as they will put water over the transom. I now have to keep my engine well plugs in to help keep water out of the engine well while fishing in choppy water. Power wise, the 225 provides all the HP I need. I am not a speed demon and cruise at around 26-28 MPH at 3700 RPM. I get excellent fuel consumption at that speed, increase the RPM and the fuel flow goes up fast. I have a Northstar F210 fuel flow gauge installed and it sure helps monitor your flow and lets you know what you are doing to the fuel economy at higher RPM.

[Bigshrimpin]

I thought Verado's only used DTS controls. I don't think your old Mercury controls will work with the Verado's (I could be wrong).

Weight is probably fine, but keep in mind that Bass and Walleye mag weighed the Verado . . . unrigged it was well over 700lbs without hydraulic steering pump (not the 649 as advertised by Merc). One Verado 200 (6 cylinder), 225, 250, 275, 300 is actually heavier than two mercury v6 late 70's - mid 80's Mercury 200's (363lbs each).

You might also consider a suzuki 250 - 300 or a Mercury 250xs or 300xs. Good Luck!!

I see your signature say Costa Rica. If you have any plans about using your boat down there . . . live by the K.I.S.S. rule.

[JohnB]

I had to repower a couple of months ago, and my short list was optimax or suzuki. IMHO, the hp to weight ratio on the verados took them out of the running. They are heavier than what merc prints, and the merc dealer told me I would need all new dts controls, to the tune of about 3k. I had existing merc controls.

I went with the suzuki with a 6 year warrantee. I looked at the 300 suzuki, but it required 2k worth of dts controls and cost over 3k more than what I found the 250 for. They are sweet, but not worth 5k. I cruise at 31 mph buring 11.2 gph, and wot at 41 at 17 gph. It is mounted on an Armstrong bracke, and I believe the bracket helps the perfomance. The only thing I did was move the batteries from the back to the cockpit, to help balance a little better.

[PressureDrop]

time to update that picture johnny...

[joshmon71]

Not at all 2 heavy. Yup Verado needs DTS controls. You can as well mount the hydraulic pump under the console for better weight disty. Plus the steering is integrated, and counted into the weight of engine. Is the 70 lbs over a Suzuki really that much more in the end?

JohnB lets not start wars on engines -The Verado is quieter, more torque, more refined, better fuel efficiecy in cruising range, with a better dealer network. I am not buying the Suzuki pitch of its lighter with more parts for the HP. The techology in the Verado is not new to engines. Time will tell ultimately on both.

The Verado 300 pushes 320 HP with high test, and 300 with 87 now. To be fair to Suzuki, compare a 300 Uke to a 275 Verado. Plenty of tests on the Merc site...with 23 SC/250 Verado. With a dual 300 Verado to dual Suzuki 300 tests...draw your own conclusions.

I get close bout 50MPH at 6300 RPM with a Mirage 17P light load 2 folks total, and so far 5850 RPM at 43 MPH running in chop fishing with a rev 4 17P and semi full load of 150 lbs ice, 3 people, and gear.

I'd buy either a Suzuki or Verado or any modern 4 stroke right now, and see whom is a better local dealer to fix the issues that all outboards have from time to time.

[eggsuckindog]

From a well known and no BS guide here with a description on all current motors - you better really like your dealer even if under warrenty - as stated keep it simple and They are not simple, good maybe but not simple. I had a 650 lbs of V8 Rude on a Sceptre and it was fine - thats all I know 650 is fine. For simplicity I would stay with what ever 2 stroke you have dealer support on down there - dealer support being the kicker when in BFE