Which 175 or 200HP Two-Stroke Outboard?

Nasher · 24 August 2004, 15:55

Even though it starts and runs so well, I’m fed up with pouring gallons of petrol down the carbs on my old 150HP Johnson VRO and having no range for cruising, so I’m looking at what to replace it with over the coming winter.

Whilst I’m changing engines it would be rude not to put a bigger one on, as the boat can take up to a 200HP, and with the better fuel economy I can tackle my intended run down to the Channel Islands. I have decided however to stick with two strokes.

Having looked at what’s currently available I’m wondering about a 175 or 200HP Yamaha HPDI or HPDI V-max, but don’t know if any other manufacturers new generation Two stroke would be a better all round package.
I’d obviously like to keep the weight down as much as possible and do not have enough information on reliability etc.

I know its all been discussed loads of times before, but its worth asking the opinion of the masses again.

Also, a friend has just put a new Tohatsu 90 on his 5.4M Searider which I’m very impressed with, does anyone know of any plans by Tohatsu to extend the range past the current limit of 140HP?

I suppose the other question is, does anyone have any experience of an engine that big on a 6.25M Ocean?

Nasher.

Nick Hearne · 24 August 2004, 16:19

Hi I have the same want, but can not come around to spending a small fortune on a bigger engine when the old one works fine!
I can by a lot of fuel for the cost of a new engine & to go a bit faster!
If only it would go wrong I could then justify it to the management

Nick

Turbodiesel · 24 August 2004, 16:28

How about looking at the Optimax? (i would say that of course!!)

Alan · 24 August 2004, 16:33

Nasher,

You are talking Yam HPDI so assume you are intending to spend the money on new tech 2 stroke (Ficht/Opti/Hpdi) rather than old EFI or Carb? Yam's are great engines but bit more expensive than Opti's say. Opti's are good engines. Lots of threads about which 2 stroke if you search.

Wouldn't bother with the Vmax twin prop as I don't think its worth the extra money.

200hp on 6.25m Ocean is Ok but on the limit IMHO. She'd go just as well with a 150. Chap I know who had one went from 150 Johnson VRO to 130hp Honda 4 stroke. Lost top end but could cruise all day at 30kts with much improved fuel economy.

Tohatsu 140hp I believe is old tech carb/efi and hence v thirsty. I don't think their version of optimax (TLDI) extends beyond 90hp

You will find it a life changing experience swapping 150 VRO for fuel efficient engine! We went from Johnson to 150 Opti on our DS 21 when the VRO expired. Fuel consumption went from "too frightened to measure it but probably around 2l per mile!") to 1l per mile easy!

Cheers,
Alan

Nasher · 24 August 2004, 18:33

Thanks for the replys so far, I did think about an opti and may well end up with a 175HP.

Nick
I know what you mean about justifying changing a running engine and the amount of fuel I can buy for the price of a new engine, but I'm looking for more range without turning the whole boat into a fuel tank.

Over the weekend I'll start compiling a spreadsheet comparing all the engines I might consider, which I'll publish later.

Nasher

tue · 24 August 2004, 18:35

OPTIMAX

Rogue Wave · 24 August 2004, 19:45

sniff around and you can get a good deal on an Opti 200, they don't sell as well as the Opti 225 so you can pick em up occasionally.

Don't know a lot about the Yammies I know they are reckoned and I think tey are the best engineered theres a guy called Islander on the forums runs 6 of em.
I think the nobber has an HPDI 200 on his lovely bote he seems a fairly together guy (unlike me) so he may even be able to give you some accurate figures

I guess that only leaves the FICHT RAM....theres a couple of Dubliners swear by em so talk to Tim and Gavin.

when you've done all that go buy an Opti and start smiling.

Another thing the Opti 175 is the same lump as the 150 which is smaller and lighter than the 200 so that may be th one for you.

tue · 24 August 2004, 19:53

FICHT

Phil Davies · 24 August 2004, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Wave

I guess that only leaves the FICHT RAM....

Shortly (November I think) to be replaced by the new Evinrude E-Tec versions, which you might also consider.......says the man with a Honda 30

Nasher · 24 August 2004, 23:00

Been doing some more research tonight on the web and it looks like Stuart is right (Should have guessed)

The Optimax 175HP appears to be a good combination of power to weight at 195Kgs, a full 30Kgs lighter than the 200HP and should be more than enough for my 6.25M

All I need to do now is wait a few months and find one at a good price.
Don't mind a used one if anyone knows of any, probably the preverbial hens teeth though.

Nasher

Richard B · 24 August 2004, 23:28

Hi Nasher,

Yamaha hpdi is certainly a good engine. Compares well with Optimax, but you might not find the same deals available due to lower sales volumes.

Check out Yamaha's web site http://www.yamaha-motor-europe.com/p...jsp?view=specs for the weight of hpdi engines - I think the 200 is quite light but the 175 and 150 may be a bit heavier than the Optimax equivalent.

Keep your eye on Ebay for some occasional genuine 2nd hand bargains - yes, there are some around! Also, dealers regularly sell good 2nd hand motors, so keep looking... If you live anywhere near Portsmouth I would speak to Lee Fairweather http://www.fairweathermarine.co.uk/ or check out Wayne Maddox in Margate http://www.waynemaddoxmarine.co.uk/

Rogue Wave · 25 August 2004, 00:08

with the Verado's coming on line you may well fing Opti prices getting keen.

Also with your international connections it might be worth sourcing one in the States

Alan · 25 August 2004, 10:02

Having had the joy of ownership of both "the nobber"'s 200 HPDI and a 150 Opti, if I were spending my own money on a new engine I'd go Opti on performance for lower price plus the benefits of the smartguages. (Blue Ice came with the HPDI fitted already).

Rogue Wave · 25 August 2004, 10:06

Top bloke that Alan

swginn · 25 August 2004, 11:37

Got to agree here, had to make decision 6 months ago on HPDI/Ficht/Optimax. Now I'm positive I made the right decision.
Optimax was just too good a deal to let go. Twin Smartcraft and 21" Stainless Laser 2 on everything 135hp and above as standard!! After 60hrs she still makes me grin!!

philip · 25 August 2004, 12:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by swginn

After 60hrs she still makes me grin!!

Sorry can't resist the option to chime in again and tell the world how pleased we are with our OPTI. It really is adictive - loads of times I've just been about to have to slow down for a river entrance and I've had to turn round and go out for more

I'm afraid that doesn't help you very much trying to make a rational decision - but there do seem to be a few of us on here passionate about our OPTI's.

Rogue Wave · 25 August 2004, 12:49

I'll have a spare 150 lump in a couple of weeks. It's destined to go on the Camel (

) but you are welcome to bolt it on to your boat for a go if you want. It gets a lot easier if the mounting holes are the same and I think they might be.

Nasher · 25 August 2004, 20:34

Stuart

Thanks for the kind offer, I may well take you up on it particularly as I want to end up with a 175 and as you rightly said they are the same engine just tuned different, so the mounting holes will line up.

However you have a buisness to run, and being such a helpful bloke will not get you anywhere, so if I borrow it for a couple of weeks we can come to some agreement on hire costs.

I'll let you know very soon, trouble is I still have to get the money together for the new engine which will take a few months.

Nasher