okay guys need some help/suggestions

1. how long should my motors last 2002 honda 225hp all matience done annually ? I read on one forum up to 3000 hrs ?

2. whats best motor out there now thinking of moving to 250hp when time comes either yamaha or suzuki ? I feel its where I can get best service in long run and short term best price. other options to think about is what I will have to do to config boat for engines such as steering etc....

any imput is much appreciated....

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http://aristakatcharters.yolasite.com/
Learn to hunt megs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfbZU7JCEPw

I use mine a lot but If they make it that far, start thinking I need to get rid of them around the 5 year mark.
The F250 Yamaha is as solid a motor as they come. That being said, I am considering the new F300. For the pair I can drop over 100 pounds and gain over 100 horsepower upgrading from the 250s. And you can get the electric shifters with them. 12 years with Mathers electric shifters in my little boat and the cable shift on the big boat feels positively primitive.

Jamie,

The CG has run those engines many thousands of hours. You may repair several things or replace a lower unit, but the basic long block will last a long time. You only need to repower if you really want to. This is true of 4-stokes in general. Screenname has over 3000 hrs on his Suzukis.

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Steve Moore 305 849 0866
steve@keysmobilediving.com
www.keysmobilediving.com

Steve,
Haven't you had to replace the blocks on your Hondas at 2000hrs when they cracked?


Jamie,
What's your hull rated maximum HP? I would go with Suzuki or Yamaha depending on service quality. Suzuki is cheaper usually, and has 6 yr warranty.

C

I'd look to piece together a quad set of matching Force 120's. Yes, there would be more drag from all the lower units, but between the smell of 2stroke oil and the safety of all that redundancy...plus, you'd gain some overall horsepower.

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Caring,Understanding,Nurturing,Tolerant;

May I borrow your carbon credits?

I would go with the Yamaha F250's, they are bulletproof. Had a friend in the Bahamas put 4500hrs on a pair and they still ran strong.

Chris you might be right those force engines are the bomb, besides when I am done they would make good reef site


all kidding aside my motors have 1200 hrs on them no apparent problems just trying to think ahead. Charlie I have seen my boat with 250hp's and even saw one with 300's, the spec sheet when I bought it stated max hp 450, my Honda's weight 615lbs each seems like 8 yrs later I could get bigger motors same weight ? Seems like there is alot more service outlets for yamaha's around here.

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http://aristakatcharters.yolasite.com/
Learn to hunt megs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfbZU7JCEPw

The risk is getting insurance with too much HP.

Yes, Honda replaced them under warranty. But the unaffected cylinders had 90% of rated compression. They were NOT wearing out.

Just replaced a lower unit that had 2600 hours.

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Steve Moore 305 849 0866
steve@keysmobilediving.com
www.keysmobilediving.com

Horseshit - his powerheads have been replaced multiple times.

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SPUC
1988 Mako 20 with Yamaha 200 HPDI

Counting the minutes until meltdown!

Boats/motors in the islands last much longer cause they get used everyday. I am a big fan of Suzuki's when run right they are very reliable.

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well, you could freshen up the lower units w/ , new bearings and seals and get another 1000 hrs out of them and the chances are next to none the lower units will fail. put on some new battery cables and replace any other wires w/green guts .New starter motors, sparkplugs and plug wires on,fuel pumps,a few sensors and you are relatively problem free.[ like dont leave your sparkplugs in forever like last time]

do a compression test 1st and if all is well .Dump a few bucks in ahead of time so you wont get broken down and left stck from something small and stupid.
besides w/2x 225 hp you can always cruise back in from the megladon grave yard on 1 motor. that might put you a wopping 14 minutes behind schedule. reprop the good motor down 4 inches in pitch that nite and you can keep running teeth charters till you get a break and can get whatever ails you fixed.
Of course I'm just looking at keeping costs loww .If I got a new $40,000 powertrain pushing 600 horsepower w/unlimited stump pullin torque I'd certainly have a stiffy maximus. I'd probably have to sleep curled up next to the new motors every damn nite too!!! Whats not to like? except dumpin 40K into the ocean.

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Its time for a beer run.......

Jamie for service reasons I picked the yams over the suzs as major parts have been a issue for suz for some time(mainly powerheads). Everyone I know that has the F250's has had great results. Had no problems getting ins. after putting 500 hp on the Mako even though specs say 450hp but hat could vary by ins. co.. Just extended warranties and running great with 1300hrs.

I've owned and worked on a lot of salt motors that ran fine, but were otherwise junk because of the difficulty involved with the disassembly. When you get to the point that you are Time-Serting (like a Helicoil, but better) half the bolt holes when you are performing regular maintenance or light repair, it's time to deep six the motors. Broken bolts, pulled threads and other corrosion related issues cost you additional money, but more importantly in your line of work, it's the down time on your primary money maker.

He has a 9-5 job, boat was mainly used on the weekends with some occasional tuna runs.

Then he did not put 4500 hours on them. F250's have been out about 5 years, so that is 900 hours per year, which is 17.3 hours per week. So you are saying, if he bought them when they first came out, he has ran those motors all day long, every Saturday and Sunday, for 5 years. This does not even factor in weather days. I call bullshit.

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SPUC
1988 Mako 20 with Yamaha 200 HPDI

Counting the minutes until meltdown!

You're right, I messed up they were F225's.

yepper Steve seems like Yamaha's last long time and service is always close by for me. I have seen motors on yors and Cory's boat and they always seem to run great. I had mine loaded down for spo with 20 tanks and gear and 5 divers and had me nervious how she seemed weak but today had 3 divers with 6 tanks and she hauled butt !!!! I pulled plugs and regreased threads other day and will continue with proper mantience and see how long I get out of these honda's for now.... Boats I mean to tell you today pulling it to ramp and back tireand rim on triple axle flew off bending up fender knocking pvc light pole and breaking tire flew across median and then over two lanes into ditch lucky for me tralier shop open 9am-12 and he fixed me up while I was out...

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http://aristakatcharters.yolasite.com/
Learn to hunt megs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfbZU7JCEPw

Jamie,

I hear ya. Damn trailer is as much trouble as the boat if you launch/retrieve a lot in salt water.

__________________
Steve Moore 305 849 0866
steve@keysmobilediving.com
www.keysmobilediving.com

Corrosion X makes a very thick version of their product that, IMO, is worth it ($17 a can?). Spray it on springs, rims, shafts and don't knock it off when washing it down and it lasts for many dunkings.

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In the beginning of a change the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. ~Mark Twain