Page 1 of 2

Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 4:58 pm
by Chill-N-Grill
I have a Skeeter zx20 bay boat that came with a Yamaha 115 4s and the boat is rated for a 150. The dealer will upgrade my 5 month old motor for 4k with 6 year warranty instead of the 3 year that came with my 115. I want the extra power and also be able to cruise at 30mph at lower rpm. I think the lower rpm will preserve my motor longer.

Any thoughts on this matter? :D

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 5:23 pm
by captkeyser
I think that you are making the right move. I have been told that a 115 should go on nothing larger than an 18ft fiberglass boat. Reason being, as you metioned, you will burn it up. It will never be as fast as you want it, but you'll still have to pin it.

Not an expert by any means. This info was given to me by people that have been in the boat industry for years though. The Bellflowers a.k.a Bellflower Marine. I am looking for an 18ft flats boat and that is the recommendation that they gave me.

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 5:26 pm
by Reel Cowboy
Do it.

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 5:42 pm
by silverking
Always a better scenario to go with more power and not tax the engine than constantly straining one with less horsepower. Quicker planing time, higher cruising speed and reduced wear are all pluses. The extended warranty is nice, too.

The only caveat is the added weight. If the difference is too much, it can impact the center of gravity, self-bailing and draft, although none of that is likely in your case. I'd recommend doing some more research on the Skeeter and Yamaha web sites. yamahaoutboards.com has performance tests/specs for different models/power and you can compare your current engine with the upgrade. And since Yamaha owns Skeeter, they should have all the parameters.

I don't think you'll be disappointed by stepping up to the bigger engine. Good deal, both in terms of price and long-term durability.

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 5:44 pm
by culrich
I have a 18ft Hewes with a 115 and I sometime want more motor. If I was you I would do it if you can afford it. :thumbup:

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 6:16 pm
by Flint River Pirate
:thumbup: Do it!

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 9:13 pm
by Chill-N-Grill
Thanks for all the input, But after the talk with the wife........She said NO!!!! :smt010

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 9:20 pm
by shnstone
It would be a good move if she would let ya. lot of difference in the 2 engines.

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 9:23 pm
by Reel Cowboy
To bad she said no, it sounds like a heck of a deal.

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 9:54 pm
by BAD BEHAVIOR
Chill-N-Grill wrote:I have a Skeeter zx20 bay boat that came with a Yamaha 115 4s and the boat is rated for a 150. The dealer will upgrade my 5 month old motor for 4k with 6 year warranty instead of the 3 year that came with my 115. I want the extra power and also be able to cruise at 30mph at lower rpm. I think the lower rpm will preserve my motor longer.

Any thoughts on this matter? :D
Talk to Bow'd Up on this forum. Send him a PM. He has the same boat with the F150 and it will scream. He can hang with my Triton 220lts with a 225 Opti. I think he tops out around 52. Plenty fast and his doesnt hurt near as bad as mine when we pull em up to the pump :oops: . I d ask her to reconsider. Tell her how much safer it would be to have enough motor to get home. :-D Tell her its not your fault if its 3am when you get home with whiskey breath and perfume smell on you because you had to be saved by a Pontoon boat full of Nekid Gaff girls. Tell her your forum buddy "BAD BEHAVIOR", a divorced fella with no kids, told you this!!! :lol: :beer:

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 15th, 2009, 11:59 pm
by Flint River Pirate
Bad Behavior is like the Dr. Phil of BBF.NET :lol:

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 16th, 2009, 12:15 pm
by wevans
Just explain to her that the money you'll save by not buying her an anniversary gift and not going out anywhere will more than pay for the upgrade :thumbup: :thumbup: :-D :beer:

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 16th, 2009, 12:41 pm
by Redbelly
Just go do it, don't tell her. Get the payment book sent to work. If she's like my wife she'll never notice the motor being different at all!

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 16th, 2009, 3:31 pm
by shnstone
Redbelly wrote:Just go do it, don't tell her. Get the payment book sent to work. If she's like my wife she'll never notice the motor being different at all!


I like this idea i would go with this one :thumbup: :thumbup:

Re: Motor Upgrade?

Posted: January 16th, 2009, 4:32 pm
by Flint River Pirate
Redbelly wrote:Just go do it, don't tell her. Get the payment book sent to work. If she's like my wife she'll never notice the motor being different at all!
You sure are brave! salute3