F200/F175 or smaller?

verch · #1 02-12-2015, 10:11 PM

I'm looking for a little help. I know the classic Seacrafts don't do well with a lot of weight on the back of them. I have a 1988 Tracker/Seacraft and just sold the Yamaha F115 off it yesterday. It had 500 hours and was 13 years old. I figured I'd upgrade while I could still get a fair price for it. It only pushed my 20' Open Fisherman about 30mph and to my surprise after installing a fuel flow sensor last week, it was burning 11.9 GPH at WOT to achieve that. I live in Louisiana and a lot of my ridding is in rivers and canals where its very comfortable to cruise at 50mph+. I had my eye on the F200 inline 4 Yamaha or Suzuki. Both are under 500lbs and by old 115 was 440lbs. Didn't figure there would be much difference there. I believe my boat is a little heaver and longer than the classic 20 footers and felt like it could handle the extra weight but would like your opinions. I;m not much on 2 strokes as I believe they will eventually fade out and depreciate quickly. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

FishStretcher · #2 02-12-2015, 10:54 PM

I suspect a different prop would have gotten you to 36mph with a F115? Based on my 33-34 with a F100. My 20MA came with a 175 2 stroke yamaha at 410-415 lb and would touch 50 mph I was told. But I never tried it. A potter 20 is lighter than a tracker, though.

FLexpat · #3 02-12-2015, 11:01 PM

x2 on the prop
I'm also thinking you might want to try the cav plate up ~1.5-2" from the hull bottom (depending on prop) - at least outboards are easy to change.

verch · #4 02-12-2015, 11:51 PM

Yeah. I like the idea of a smaller engine. Just don't like running at WOT. I should have tinkered with the 115 a little more I guess.

FishStretcher · #5 02-13-2015, 12:57 AM

Bushwacker is an e-tech guru. I feel that for 4 strokes above 100 hp, they get heavy fast. Like a 4 stroke 150 is often a loser for weight/ hp. But I think(?) an e-tech 130 is a decent tradeoff. Some guys like a suzuki 140. I quietly think it is a tiny bit heavy for a potter 20, but might be ok for a tracker 20. I am not impressed with the corrosion resistance of most anything versus a Yamaha. But I really don't know.

FWIW, I think a 4 blade stern lifting 15" pitch prop on that F115 would have done you justice. I have that on the F100, but it has more lower unit reduction. 2.31:1 versus 2.15:1.

The new Yamaha F115 is almost as light as an older F100/F90. 377lb for a 20"shaft? The F200 is only 110 lb more. But I have no firsthand knowledge.

My cruise for the F100 on a potter 20MA is just under 25 MPH. Even with a kicker and hydroshield.

McGillicuddy · #6 02-13-2015, 03:22 AM

Verch,
I run an old 20 and get 36 with and old merc I-6 115. I doubt it would get that on your Slacker due to extra length and weight. You may have gotten 33-34 mph tweaking with prop and height but I kind of doubt it.

Respectfully, your opinion of 2-strokes going the way of the dinosaur is unfounded. All Direct Inject 2 strokes are valid and with the exception of those that may be put out of business by their competitors. On a SeaCraft 20, the 2-stroke, direct-injected BRP Etec in 150-200 hp will out perform any 4 stroke in the class by a distance. At 420 lbs, and balls galore your stocky slacker will praise and please you should you take that route. It's 50 pounds lighter, more efficient, and as quiet or better than any of the best 4 strokes in respective categories.

If you can run at 50 in your water, heck, do it! I cant, so I'm content with a 115, But if i lived on a river or lake would I want 50 mph? heck yeah!

verch · #7 02-13-2015, 08:02 AM

Thanks for mentioning the Etec. I took a look at the website and I'll call a few dealers today. I have to be honest, part of my attraction to the Yami and Zuk are the deals on them right now. If I drive 2 hours to Mississippi I can save sales tax and the dealer can get me out the door fully installed with a prop for Suzuki F175/$13k Suzuki F200/$14,500 with a 6 year warranty and Yamaha F175/$14,500 and F200/$15,500 with 5 year warranty. The Etech on a couple websites is $14,500 just for the engine with a 3 year warranty. The Suzuki 175would only be $9k out of pocket after considering the $4k I got for my old Yami 115. Its hard to believe that I could sell a Yamaha 4 stroke for 1/2 of what it was purchased for 13 years and 500 hours ago. So not only am I considering performance, I'm also considering where I'll be in this thing if I decide to sell it in a few years.

CHANCE1234 · #8 02-13-2015, 10:11 AM

[QUOTE=

My cruise for the F100 on a potter 20MA is just under 30 MPH. Even with a kicker and hydrroshield.[/QUOTE]

Wow!! That is impressive, what kind of fuel burn do you get at cruise?

FishStretcher · #9 02-13-2015, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHANCE1234

Wow!! That is impressive, what kind of fuel burn do you get at cruise?

Too impressive. I mistyped my cruise. It is about 24mph for 45-4600 rpm. And 5NMPG.

verch · #10 02-13-2015, 09:52 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm still not 100% sold but leaning toward the Suzuki F175. Its just a couple lbs lighter and a dealer in Mississippi who sells both the Yami and Zuke swares that its ability to turn a larger prop puts it in the same class with the F200 Yami. Your right. Money really isn't the issue here as much as feeling that I made the best selection. Any preferences of the Yami vs Zuke? Most all the reviews I read say the Suzuki performs flawlessly with lots of torque, great mid range and good fuel economy but the downfall is that most say that if they were shopping for a used boat, they are more likely to buy is a Yami is hanging off the back.