23 Sceptre adding bracket and twins question

[Leostaats]

I'm sure its been answered a million times on the board but I didn't find anything exact, so I thank you in advance fro your responses and forwarded links.

So Ive been given 3 running 225 oceanpros from early 2000 which has led me to want to put twins on my 23 CUDDY, has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with this much weight. Ive read the boat is spec'd up to 500hp and while I'm not looking for more power or performance I am looking for the safety aspect of returning if one motor fails.

Thanks again

[Bushwacker]

What year Sceptre? The later ones with the glass seat boxes were apparently more bow heavy and would tolerate the CG shift of a bracket better than the lighter 70's vintage Potter era models with balsa core decks instead of plywood used in later models. Some guys doing restorations on Sceptres have found pig iron ballast under the decks in the stern, so best to check for that using a Boy Scout compass and remove it if found.

2000 vintage motors would be made by BRP, so good motors that might have decent resale/trade in value unless they're Fichts. Trading all 3 in on a new big single would give you less weight, better reliability, and much longer range. Suzuki seems to be selling the 250/300 4 strokes relatively cheap, or you could check out the G2 E-TEC if you want lowest fuel burn.

[DonV]

Are those the Ficht Ram Injection engines? I Googled "2000 Evinrude 225" and it came up with Ficht engines. As Denny says the Fichts are pretty low in value and reputation. Might be why you received three for free? I would use them as trade in engines and buy a single as mentioned above. When I win the lotto tonight I'm all over a G2 250 HO eTec, however I'm thinking the odds are the old beat up EFI Merc will still be there for quite a while.

[Cutiger]

Can't help you on the weight question yet, but I'm mounting twin 150 Optimaxes on my Sceptre. No bracket though. It's not done yet so I can't really comment anything useful yet.

To clarify some of what was posted above, 2000 would not be BRP. BRP didn't enter the scene until like 2002 or 2003. 2000 Ocean Runners would be OMC Rudes. Carb'ed gas guzzlers but great motors. There were some Ocean Runner labeled OMC motors that were FICHTs in some late 90s model years under both the Rude and Johnson brandings. But by 99 all the FICHTs were branded as such, or RAM Injection, and all under Evinrude branding. They also still made carb'ed motors under the ocean runner branding during those same years. Seeing as you own three of them though and didn't ask any questions about the motors themselves, I doubt you needed any of us to tell you what you may or may not have or googled yourself. Or know more than any of us about them.

[NoBones]

Originally Posted by DonV

however I'm thinking the odds are the old beat up EFI Merc will still be there for quite a while.

You are a cheap bastard.....
I plan on hitting the lotto tomorrow...

Will be lucky to hit two numbers !

[DonV]

Well I did my usual on the lotto.....zero numbers. See if you can beat that!!!

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by Leostaats

I'm sure its been answered a million times on the board but I didn't find anything exact, so I thank you in advance fro your responses and forwarded links.

So Ive been given 3 running 225 oceanpros from early 2000 which has led me to want to put twins on my 23 CUDDY, has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with this much weight. Ive read the boat is spec'd up to 500hp and while I'm not looking for more power or performance I am looking for the safety aspect of returning if one motor fails.

Thanks again

Get me the SN and MN and I can tell you what you have.
Late 97 rude went ficht
Johnson was carbd thru 05 unless Suz 4 str rebadged.

Many older engines were called later when put in service for warranty.
Pull the cowl and look for carbs or get me the numbers.

BRP says after 01 is fine. Others say after 02.
Most of the ficht problems were with the sb 2.6 150/175
The BB 3.3 were much less trouble

[Vezo, Part II]

Jesus! I'm impressed! You cook, have a knowledge of knives, and The Grateful Dead? What else do you know? Coming to Scallop Fest?

Stagger Lee.

[McGillicuddy]

Originally Posted by Leostaats

I'm sure its been answered a million times on the board but I didn't find anything exact, so I thank you in advance fro your responses and forwarded links.

So Ive been given 3 running 225 oceanpros from early 2000 which has led me to want to put twins on my 23 CUDDY, has anyone had any positive or negative experiences with this much weight. Ive read the boat is spec'd up to 500hp and while I'm not looking for more power or performance I am looking for the safety aspect of returning if one motor fails.

Thanks again

Threee - for freee? For yer 23? Lucky dog! I'd be happy with 1 on my 21.

Yeah they were at some point rated for 500hp, originally 400 but the CG changed their rating formula cause they were bored... And 250s hit the market. keep in mind the biggest stuff in the late 70s was the 200 class 2.4 L and similar that weigh about 350 lbs.

I had a Seavette for a while that had pretty light twin '86 merc 2.4L chrome bores, with 225 carbies. it was allegedy clocked @ 68mph with radar gun.

Those motors are each nearly 100 lbs less than the Ocean Pro's.
Point is, the transom had taken a beating and the starboard gunnel and cap had begun cracking about a 6-8" in front of the transom. Former owner suggested torque might have been the culprit... they weren't counter-rotating - both righties. I don't know...

I think the bracket would alleviate some torque twist but 900lbs plus the backet 2+' back sounds awkward. Definitely want to to ante up for one of Hermcos Double wide flotie brackets,

I tend to lean to lighter solutions, and so I would be happier with a bigger modern single and a lot less weight. And paying for twice the fuel to go half the distance makes no sense to me.

Now a pair of those on Sandman's raceboat...

Good luck with you decision.

[gofastsandman]

Leaning toward transom mount...