Seafarer Vermont 5.9 engine

[Marchy001]

Hey crew,

Minister for war and peace hinted that I may be allowed to "invest" some more $$$ in the boat by way of an engine in the near future (after I build a new trailer). So I'm looking for a little guidance.

Originally the boat had a DF140 when we purchased it and it was ok. Fairly slow but chugged along nicely for the most part. Could easily overload it tho to the point it would struggle up on plane (yes I had played with props a fair bit)

Kids started water sports tubing knee boarding etc and that really pushed the little 140 out of its comfort zone even after dropping down 2" pitch on the prop so sourced a second hand F225 for good $$$ hey presto the boat now does some impressive speeds and hauls arse. BUT it's super heavy in the arse end and that has made some drastic changes to how the boat performs. Relocating batteries and the addition of an anchor winch up front helped swing the balance a bit but it's still bum heavy in the water.

Trying to figure out in my head where the magic number weight wise might be for this hull so I can narrow my search. Anyone care to offer some guidance for me?

Optimax's for example I can drop 50kg and stay with a 200/225hp or drop 100kg (same weight as the DF140 approx) and go a 175 obviously with other engines the numbers will be similar.

Will dropping 50kg be enough? Will a 175 still meet my expectations in the fun factor when I want to play? All these questions?????
Help lol

Cheers

Marchy

[Chimo]

VermontAdayfishing005.jpgVermont0701010001.jpg
Pic tells the story.

Ask Jabba.

Cheers
Chimo

[Marchy001]

Wasn't planning on going up to a 250 Chimo but if it's light enough.......[emoji48]

[Chimo]

You are at about half power at the moment so going to a 200 HP would make it run close to what it should.

My 230 HP on the Vagabond with a fair bit of weight (hardtop and bladder of fresh etc) runs it to a few kn over 40kn in reasonable conditions but they are the old-techs on the back with lots of smoke at cold start, which the marine tech likes to see!

[scottar]

New small block 200 ETec, 200 4 cylinder Suzuki or 200 4 cylinder Yamaha - take your pick. Any of these will a good match weight wise.

[fishtragic]

Hi marchy.
Ive got the same boat with a 200 HPDI Yamaha (275kg by Yam specs.). It goes like a scalded cat and handles 300kg of fish and a couple of tired fishos well. I'd suggest that 200 is about the optimum HP for this vessel. I'm kicking tyres now for a new engine myself, it will more than likely be Yamaha 225 (4.2L 253kg) after I sell the current donk, but it depends on your operational needs. Sounds like the 3.3L f200f would do it for you, but then I'm biased toward grey engines.

[Andy56]

Etec gen2 200hp, 240kg. When i was testing signature boats, a 115etec was the same as a suzuki 140 in outright performance. Models have changed on both sides of the equation, but a gen2 etec with all the benefits, hands down best bet in my books. Auto trim, fly by wire, cleaner plumbing, more power, power steering and mounted six inches further back as in jack plate means its streaks ahead on features. Price however is something i cant define. A few thousand difference is a lot of petrol money.

[Ocean_Spirit]

Don't put too much weight on the bum or you'll ruin the boat. The old lightweight G1 Evinrude 200 was perfect (190kg). The G2 SB 200 is a good match.

[tenzing]

New suzi 200 pushes the victory along nicely.
No heavier than my 2012 suzi 175 was.
Powerful , cheap to run, quiet.
No 2 stroke oil!
Pair with some nice tabs
Cheers

[Marchy001]

So funds to purchase new have been squashed.
So turning to the used market I'm currently tossing up between a 2009 175 optimax with 400 hours and a 2010 175 ETEC with similar hours. $$$ are very close.

What way would you go and why?

I have had 3 Opti's and never had an issue, never had a white one so know nothing about them.

[Chimo]

Go with the one your marine tech is best equipped to service for you would be what I would do.

In your situation I would get the one who will be servicing it to check the motor over before you buy it.

Cheers
Chimo

[scottar]

Have you got trim tabs Marchy - if so what size. Another option/addition is a Permatrim. Recently increased my tab size to 12x12 and have a Permatrim fitted - difference is night and day. May be cheaper options to get the bum up when moving as against a repower. If you have other reasons or are looking to get weight off at rest though different kettle of fish.

[Marchy001]

Trim tabs are on the list, have a permatrim on the 225. Underway it's very good to be honest and it seems balanced. Main issue is at rest off shore or in the bay chop the motor tries to drag the arse end in. It's also these times that one 2 or 3 people are standing at the rear fishing adding to the issue. Only taken water into the hull once or twice but it just doesn't fill me with confidence.

It's happening. 225 is on the market, may have put down a deposit on a 175 Etec this afternoon.

Unsure when I'll "get lucky" or even be spoken to again but she will calm down one day.......

[tenzing]

Boat show in a few days
Specials are usually quite significant
Last 2 motors both " boat show price"