Hi ALex,
Quite a few of the local commercial fisherman and many of the guides
have gone over to the Suzuki engines. They are really quiet, and sip
fuel with an eyedropper. The counter-rotation of the crankshaft and
propshaft cancel out vibration.
The 115 is the most common engine in use by the "crabbers" and the 140
is favored by the bass guides.
I have spoken with Jerry at Advanced Marine. (Craven Rd, Jacksonville
FL) Advance Marine is a factory authorized Suzuki and Tohatsu repair and
sales shop. Jerry had shown me the Suzuki's on board computer which
records the engine's use over its life span. The motor (90hp) we were
looking at was 2 1/2 years old. It looked well used too. Downright scruffy!
I was astonished to see the computer had recorded over 18,000 hours of use.
Capt. Frank
Alex Moore wrote:
"-v-" wrote in message om...
"Alex Moore" wrote in message
.com...
Hi All: I'm in the market for a Eastern 24' Cuddy Cabin boat. The
boat's dry weight is appx. 3000-3100 lbs. If you live in the New
England area this boat looks exactly like a lobster boat & is.
Although, this will be used for pleasure boating.
Here's my scenario. Eastern is a Honda outboard dealer & they are
pushing the Honda 130.
Are you sure that is enough power for a 24' boat?
I have a 200 Merc on my 22' walkaround that weighs about the same and has an
8' 3" beam and it is good power (46 mph WOT) but I wouldn't want less.
V: Almost all of Eastern's 24' "Lobsterfisherman" boats are fitted out
Honda 130's. Is it underpowered? Well...It's not a fast boat to begin
with. It's not a deep or even a modified V hull, it's has a rounded
hull w/ a high bow. It almost has canoe properties in the bow. If you
ever seen a Nova Scotia lobster boat, the Eastern's are in the same
family.
I called Eastern boats & told them I'm leaning towards the Suzuki &
asked is a 140 HP enough. They said "Absolutley" Then I mentioned a
Suzuki 200 HP four stroke & he said too much power. Not needed. I
understand your thinking...I currently have a 20' Robalo CC w/ a
Mariner 135 (V6) 2 stroke & that boat weight is 2650 lbs. The Robalo
is a pocket rocket with that engine.
This boat is really meant to run about 28-30 MPH tops @ 4500-5000 RPM
with a Honda 130. The Honda redlines @ 5500 RPM, the Suzuki 140 is @
6200. I can put a Suzuki 200 four stroke on back but the weight
difference is HUGE. 140 HP=421 lbs. & the 200 HP=581lbs (160 lbs.
difference). I would need trim tabs, which I don't want.
Another poster mentioned the Yamaha 150 four stroke. 1st, this engine
is allocated until March 2004!!! Unreal. 2nd, the cost is a joke
(appx. $14,500) & that doesn't even include installation! The new
Honda 150 HP four stroke, coming out in January is $12,900 installed.
I don't think $3,900 is worth the 10 extra HP vs. the Suzuki 140 @
$9,000.
Here's a link to my 24' Eastern boat:
http://www.easternboats.com/tour24.html
I'm still on the ropes over here.
Alex