Any one run a Honda 225 on a 22?

[Aaron43]

I m considering replacing my 1986 200 Johnson Looper with a 225 Honda. The Johnson runs well and seems to have no serious problems but Im worried about the fuel economy....The Honda is heavier at 590lbs vs 490 for the Johnson but the fuel economy is far better...anyone have a pic of a Honda V6 on a 22? I would like to see how it sits. Im thinking, where my 22 is a Sandpiper with a bit more forward weight it will be fine but a pic would be nice....

[wingtime]

I'd put 100 lbs of ballast on the stern of the boat and see how she sits.  Modern four strokes are usually heavy for these older two stroke powered boats.  It all depends on how much water weight your hull has gained over the years.

[Aaron43]

The boat is high and dry getting repaired, rewired, rerigged, sanded and painted, hasnt seen water in 3 years...Im just getting to the point where I am getting to the motor and considering the costs involved in making it offshore worthy, I would want to replace the entire electrical system for peace of mind.... I can get a hell of a deal on the Honda...That being said the Johnson just needs a service to run it around without going offshore....The boat currently has the batteries in the stern. They must weigh close to 150 so Im thinking of relocating those to the port console....Do the center consoles run the batteries under the console? As I write this I realize the concern may have more to do with the reliability of a 30 year old motor than it does with a hundred pounds of weight.....

[Jack Hart]

225 hp is a lot of hp for a 22 foot boat.  100# is a lot of weight to add to the transom.  You will never recoup the cost of  replacing your engine by savings in fuel costs.  Finally, the 200 hp looper will probably give as good or better performance as a 225 Honda.  I'd stick with what you have.

[fitz73222]

I agree with Jack that the ROI for the average boater isn't there, but an '86 looper OMC isn't exactly worth hanging on to. The 225 honda is a very nice engine and very reliable and with normal maintenance will easily outlast the hull. It's a 4000 hour + engine, what's left in the OMC? You want to go offshore? I wouldn't think twice about it. You're only one VRO pump or dislodged flywheel magnet and taking out a stator away from a parts motor. Move the batteries up front and bolt that Honda up. When's the last time anything related to boating was a wise investment? The intangible is when your running through 4-6 footers in a T'storm or a nasty inlet with your wife and kids and the last thing you have to worry about is your outboard.

[Jack Hart]

Newer 4-strokes are cleaner, quieter, and more fuel efficient, but they are also tremendously complicated, heavy, expensive to buy and even more expensive to maintain, lack low end punch, and since they are so complicated, there are more things that can go wrong.  Just getting maintenance can be a huge hassle if there's not a good Honda outboard dealer nearby, and their dealers are few and far between.   Pay your money and take your chances, but at least with the OP's current motor, the additional cost is 0. 

[Bergertime]

The business case for a new 4stroke in the 200+ HP category is not that bad if you use your Looper 100+hrs a year..  You would likely go from low 2s for MPG to high 3s maybe even 4 with a Honda or Merc.  If you are going to keep your boat for 5+ years after the re-power and have the means for the financial investment I think the concept is solid.  Personally, I would look for a lighter motor (Merc or ETEC) in the same HP range which would likely offer you a better dealer network for routine maintenance or any warranty work. Nothing against Honda's but I might migrate to another brand if I had better and competing dealer choices.

It would be wise to consider the weight thing tho... 100 lbs could make a meaningful difference with regards to ride, drainage and scupper performance.

B

[Capt. Bob]

Well we have come back to this so let's review a few points.

First, your hull (SP) is a CCP with a different cap. Both models have the same (as shown) dry weight. The SP is listed as having a higher (assuming not a misprint) capacity rating by 200lbs.

Moving batteries forward will re-balance the load of course. Group 27s weigh in the 60 lb. +/- range, Group 31s can edge into the 70lb. range or higher. You need to increase conductor size and length to account for voltage drop.

Is the Honda new?
If so, how about going a little smaller?
Here's a member with a 150 on your type (CCP) hull.
http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=9506.100

Rated HP for that year is 240 HP.  I'm guessing (without searching) that a 250 hp Johnyrude may weigh in closer to 550lbs.  I begin to suspect that the weight (certainly not the HP) may not be a deal killer in this case.

Assuming the transom mounting is secure (aka no transom rot ) I'd feel comfortable with the engine. Wing's idea of the extra 100lbs. ballast is a good start but then the old motor isn't mounted yet, correct?

The last sentence of B's post is where you may have concerns. I believe your cockpit drainage is displacement type so you may want to consider plugging them on launch (steep ramps come to mind) and removing when underway. Reinstall when fishing/trolling or caught in a rain shower. Trim tabs would be a must, in my opinion to help counter the increased weight/ride characteristics.

Lastly, Fitz stated what my main concern would be, reliability mechanically speaking and peace of mind while underway. I don't want to be second guessing while offshore any more than usual.

Good luck.

 

[Aaron43]

Thx Bob.

I have two Honda 225's a guy traded in with 5000 hours on them. Both run well but 5000 hours is enough, they are 2006 motors....I was going to put a new power head on one, for 2900...and rebuild the lower unit for 800....then service the motor and paint it to match the boat...I can do the whole job for about 5k....my wife is a Honda tech so the 20 plus hours of labor is free....then the fuel economy is nearly twice as good as the 200 Johnson at cruise....so Im thinking I could recover the expense in short order...I was considering raising the scupper drains an inch or just putting scupper valves in the hose...