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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
 Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 12:05:55
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Hi all
I have been saving hard for a while now to replace my ageing Mercury 15hp 4 stroke.
I now think I have a sensible budget, so now need to narrow down what to buy. I want to replace the motor, the remotes, tank and lines at the same time.
My gut feel says a new Honda 20 long shaft is the one to beat, but at around £3K it is a little eye-watering.
Is there really any bomb-proof alternative?
How much do you think I would be expected to pay someone to swap the motors, remotes, tank, lines etc., etc. and to carry out a quick modification to the helm binnacle to accept a new plate with the new rev counter and to swap the old horn/wiper/nav light switches into a nice, tidy new layout?
Again, my gut feel is that this a pretty simple days' work.
Finally, what sort of value is there in the old set-up. It's a 2000 year motor, and will come complete with the remotes, and a season-old 27 litre fuel tank and line?
If it makes any difference to the advice, I'm moored on the Broads, so sheltered cruising, tidal at times.
I use the boat year-round and have a shore power mooring.
The boat has a 50W solar panel, an engine and starter battery with intelligent charger.
I would appreciate any and all advice and opinions.
Steve
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tigtog
United Kingdom
421 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 12:33:51
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just sold my evinrude 15hp longshaft four stroke close to the same year for £825 cash had remotes and fuel tank.
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 12:37:36
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Wow! I'd be happy with that kinda cash!
I suspect that Mercury may not have the same reputation at the Evinrude though - however, I have serviced it regularly in the last 4 seasons that I've had it, and had the carb fully rebuilt last winter.
I reckon its a decent unit, but then I'm selling and not buying |
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trevork
3949 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 14:39:12
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I know naff all about outboards but I do hear a lot of folk singing the praises of Tohatsu. Are they worth a look at?
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 15:03:30
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Tohatsu are good, avoid the cheap chinese junk as it's a false economy.
Whats up with the old motor? It sounds like the ideal motor for a 23 and not that old realy, a lot of the mercury/mariner stuff was built by yamaha and as good as an evinrude any day.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 15:44:00
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Nothing basically wrong, but it is 15 years old, we cruise a lot in the winter on the Southern Broads and if you were to have a failure, you can site in the reeds for a long, long time waiting for a passer by!
We have had a series of fuel over-delivery issues with petrol backing up out of the air filter a year or so back.
Ten minutes of drifting about letting it evaporate and she started again, but really frustrating.
Since the carb re-build it's been much, much better, although we have got into the habit of disconnecting the fuel line and letting her run dry every time we leave it now.
Both our lives are horrendously over-paced at work (and at home), so the boat is a bit of a sanctuary. I want it to be as "drama-free" as possible, and feel that a new bomb-proof motor will help no end.
I know it's a big investment, probably too much for such a boat, but we try to get several long weekends a year on board, and a couple of extended cruises, so pound-for-pound it represents a decent holiday.
A new 20hp would be quieter, more economical, more capable in a strong tide and would hopefully give peace of mind.
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tigtog
United Kingdom
421 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 18:31:43
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eveinrude etec 20hp two stroke, brand new remotes and tank fitted for £2500 cash.
winterises itself, no servicing for three years. or 300 hours
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df
United Kingdom
5994 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 18:41:56
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The problem with that is 2 stroke Tigtog.
How about a small 2 stroke for emergency use and an outboard bracket so you know you can always get somewhere safe, when I had a mariner 9.9 4 stroke I bought a complete new carb to boost it to 15hp from the states at a reasonable cost.
NBAS--The communal colostomy bag of the boating community.
Visit leomagill.co.uk |
Edited by - df on 29 Jun 2015 18:46:01 |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2015 : 21:09:58
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Thanks gents
I'm also hearing some warning stories about Honda 15/20 cam pulleys coming apart after very few hours (20 to 40). In some cases this has bent valves and required a top end rebuild.
Apparently caused by the OEM pulley being polypropylene with a metal centre. They wear fast, throw the belt off and...bang!
I've seen a nice engineering solution in all-aluminium made by a pulley specialist in Scotland, but still got a bit of digging to do to find prices and effectiveness.
Anyone throw any light on this problem, seems very un-Honda like to me.
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 05 Jul 2015 : 17:58:20
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Update....
I have been offered a Suzuki 20 with fuel injection, new tank and lines, remotes and the supplier has offered to fit it free, including carrying out the hour or so adding the helm binnacle panel and the new switch gear.
List price is £3K, but he has also offered a pretty generous trade in for the old Merc set up.
I would have to pay for the lift and re-launch, but I'm looking at £2,200 all in.
This seems a great deal (and no carburettor to go wrong), but has anyone got an opinion on the Suzi?
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Deano
United Kingdom
1843 Posts |
Posted - 06 Jul 2015 : 18:40:48
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No knowledge of the engine, but that looks like a hand biting off kind of deal.
Presumably it comes with a warranty so any niggles will be sorted at no cost.
Dean - Boating on the Great Ouse.
Freeman 32 "Liberty"
See the photos http://www.flickr.com/photos/54758027@N00/ |
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john-m
130 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 14:18:37
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| If I was going to spend that sort of money I'd get a price for a honda. Me I'd sooner buy good second hand |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 20:16:35
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Yep, Deano, full 5-year warranty. The offer was from an official Suzuki dealer - I was surprised too, hence my suspicious mind wondering what's the catch.
John-m, the equivalent Honda 20 is £3,500 list, best deal I could get was a £600 discount. Fitting would have been £300. I am guessing that the fitting costs would be raised by a hundred or so for the extra helm work I want done.
This would mean needing about £1,300 trade-in for the Merc to match the Suzi offer. hahahahahahaha - not happening.
I do have two enquiries still out there which would included the fitting, but not had the net-of-trade-in quotes yet.
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john-m
130 Posts |
Posted - 07 Jul 2015 : 21:30:22
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| Honda will always be worth more in the long run. Always heard good things abouts lings at Lowestoft they like a deal |
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IanM
United Kingdom
2238 Posts |
Posted - 08 Jul 2015 : 17:43:49
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£2200 fitted, with a 5 year warranty.
Yeah, I'd grab that with both hands. |
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Steve T
United Kingdom
88 Posts |
Posted - 17 Jul 2015 : 21:23:23
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Update.....
Ordered the Suzi today.
Written quote came in at £2,800, including a new wiring harness,a new binnacle and a full new set of Suzuki instruments and all my existing switches renewed.
It also included a much larger tank than standard and an alternative prop, the lift, install and re-launch.
Full 5 year warranty included.
I know this is a lot, but it's less than I thought at the start, and (perhaps more importantly) less than I had saved!
I'll let you know how it all goes....
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New outboard for N23
