Put a new 300v8 on my 23' Sanger alleycat

[madmatic]

As the title says i have been looking at repower options for my 23' alleycat and took a leap of faith with the new 300. It is the standard 300l not the 300r. I'm going to break down the differences I've noticed right away.

-weight :
the boat sits much higher In the water than when it had the 2.4s on it. Its nice having more boat out of the water on a rough day.

- handling:
Having less skeg in the water really makes the boat feel loose, having a hydraulic jack plate is a must in tighter turns. Also there is more pressure needed to keep the steering wheel straight at higher speeds. (Maybe needs a skeg with camber)

- Noise / exhaust:
Stupid quiet. You just don't hear it above 45mph. Very strange to be honest but nice at the same time. At low speed it's a smooth hum that sounds pretty good. Think of driving in a new sports car with stock exhaust. You also can not smell the exhaust when at idle at the dock.

- speed:
with the 2.4s the boat did mid 80s with low fuel and just myself. Unfortunately it got real rough and I couldn't open it up all the way. I got up to 78.5mph at 3/4 throttle. This is with a 30" 4 blade Ron Hill prop. Stock finish no vents. It pulls out of the hole 100x better. I could pull up a single skier with a full load if needed. I always fought venting with the 2.4s, mid range feels the same. I feel with more prop testing and a nose cone the 300 will be just as fast ontop as it was with twins.

- fuel:
Fuel economy is awesome and being able to run 87 is a real plus. I logged 5 hours of run time and I burned 26 gallons, this was all done while driving normally at a comfortable cruise speed for break in. So it should pay for it self in about 7 years just in fuel.

- guages:
I decided to go cheap and bought the vessel view mobile. For now I have a tablet with Velcro and it shows everything a 7" sim rad would. Pretty cool! Note* the non DTS models do not come with a water pressure sensor. It's an additional 60-70bux..

- shifting:
The cable controls actually don't move anything other than sensors. So shifting and throttle is very smooth and electronically controlled.

-motor mounts:
Too soft, the motor feels solid going through chop because of how well everything is isolated, but these really need to be stiffer.

- overall thoughts:
I am really happy with the way things turned out so far. I knew this wasnt going to be a 100mph liberator or trick but it made sense to go with a single. The alleycat has a centerpod which is about 5 inches above the sponsons. Before the twins were always knocked around being mounted in the tunnel and caused havoc on the transom. Time will tell how it holds up but with the extended warranty and their success with he verado I feel and hope it will be trouble free for a long time. I will update this after a few more trips.

[joneill]

Looks awesome keep us posted for sure,

[JBS]

Thanks for the post.I'm considering a V8 for my V21.
Got to do something,the 2.4 turned loose last week.

[madmatic]

So far the conversion has cost about 20k with extended warranty and rigging. If that helps with your decision. For me fuel savings was a big factor as I will put on a few hundred hours per year, that really helps offset the cost.

[tux974]

Nicely detailed feedback! Keep up the updates as they develop.

[Greg G]

As the title says i have been looking at repower options for my 23' Alleycat and took a leap of faith with the new 300. It is the standard 300l not the 300r. I'm going to break down the differences I've noticed right away.

Nice information. What is the difference between the "L" and the "R" ?

[engineermike]

I *think* the R has different cams and intake manifold, plus the sportmaster lower unit.

[HydroSkreamin]

300R has higher prop RPM, higher rev limiter, shorter intakes, bigger cams,(all of these things make less torque but a tick more HP up top), harder mounts,availability of Sportmaster GC, and is only available with CMS (Conventional Midsection), and is always in “loud” mode, if you can call it that. I’m not sure if the 300R has less warranty or if it’s the same as the standard 300.

The OP’s package with low water pickup nosecone and solid mounts will be in the mid to high 80’s for sure. Sounds like some fun!

I’m sure that leap of faith was a big one, glad it’s working out for you so far, and thanks for sharing your experience. Keep us updated on your gains, please!

[baja200merk]

Great info! Looks like a nice setup. Avoid a nose cone you don’t need it, do a torque tab and fill the side pickups. Use jb weld stick for both the pickups and the tab my tab has been 114 for yrs, thousands of miles no problem.

This makes me want two for my skater. The r is supposed to make up to 30hp more accross the board and still on 87.

[Tcatrett]

Good info! Thanks..
We put a few sea pro V8s on work boats. Awesome results also. Glad we finally have motors that are repower friendly.
And options are cool also...

[madmatic]

I plugged the top 4 water intake holes and will probably plug the rest once I have a water pressure gauge installed. I will have to look into a torque tab is that something I can do with out a jig? Also the 300l and R are the exact same long block, same cams, pistons ect. The r how ever does have a short runner intake and no muffler which I would expect to be good for 15 hp or so. The r also has a higher rev limiter but a shorter warranty. Thanks for all the positive responses, there were several times during the wait I almost cancelled the order and bought an xs but I'm glad I waited.

[Greg G]

What is the difference in Merc warranty between the two?

[madmatic]

I was told the R can only have a 3 year while the pro xs and regular version can get the extended 5 year.

[JBS]

That's great being able to get that much warranty.Definitely a selling point.

[FMP]

Good choice of color

[JBS]

What will I need to get for a repower?Everything is original from '94. Faria gauges,mechanical steering,side mount controls.Also the Pro XS has a torgue master foot,will that work?

[madmatic]

You will need the 14pin plug/cable and wire it accordingly. There is no room under the cowl for an adapter. Not sure about the steering but my hydraulic set up mounted to it no problem. With the torque I recommend a hydraulic set up. The lower unit will not work so but the pro xs is not much more and comes with a torque master. (Wait time was too long for me). I would set aside a grand or so for transom investigation and repair/bracing. Might as well make sure your package is solid and trouble free.

[blkmtrfan]

Great thread, and thank you for the real world information.
These kind of posts are truly why S&F is such a great website!

Please continue to post updates

[madmatic]

Update: I took the boat out again but this time in the Pacific ocean (socal). It was pretty choppy with winds blowing 8knts and steady 2ft ground swell.

Fuel: averaged 5.3mpg with an average speed of 42mph

Handling: much better than expected, with the larger diameter 4 blade the motor still felt hooked up (while in the water).

Noise: louder in the chop as the prop was out of the water much more, I was actually able to hear the engine above 40.

Motor mounts: way to soft.. but I'm going to compare pn#s with the 300r and see what it's going to cost when these go bad.

Prop slip top speed: pretty bad slip in the chop, I was able to get it up to 68mph at 5200. The gf was pretty upset and wouldn't let me get into it any more but such is life.. I suppose I'm terrified when she drives on the freeway so it's fair. Prop slip would be 19 percent which makes me think a smaller pitch 5 blade may work better. Maybe a labbed 28 or 26? Recommendations would be appreciated

[Greg G]

What exact prop do you have on it? I may have missed it earlier.

[madmatic]

Rob hill signature 4 blade 30"

[Greg G]

Check and get the diameter of that model. I'd assume you would want to try something with more diameter in 4 blade to just do a quick compare.

[KingOfBeers]

I have a 32P 5 blade Hill Marine on my 300r Liberator right now and really like it. I gavee up some top end, but gets out of the hole and accelerates like right now with 3 people on board.

[madmatic]

King of beers, I think the liberator 21/300r combo is a lot lighter than mine and is able jack the engine higher. But Im thinking the 5 blade is what I should shoot for in 28" does your 5 blade crab walk or have a lot of torque steer? I'm not sure if the sporty skeg is different than what I have. I may end up waiting to change props untill I cone it and have the torque tab done.

[KingOfBeers]

King of beers, I think the liberator 21/300r combo is a lot lighter than mine and is able jack the engine higher. But Im thinking the 5 blade is what I should shoot for in 28" does your 5 blade crab walk or have a lot of torque steer? I'm not sure if the sporty skeg is different than what I have. I may end up waiting to change props untill I cone it and have the torque tab done.im sure im a lot lighter, i notice zero torque steer or any crabbing. The 5 blades are 15.6" dia. Great prop for the money IMO. Boat looks great! I drooled over a twin Alley Cat years ago.

[madmatic]

Thanks for the info and compliment. Looks like a 26-28" sl 5 blade is in my near future

[Thunderduck]

I'm going to repower my fishing boat (Scarab 302) with a pair of these. What White did you choose (Hot Fusion, Cold Fusion or Pearl) ???

[madmatic]

Cold fusion white.

[HydroSkreamin]

Also the 300l and R are the exact same long block, same cams, pistons ect.

I'm just gonna leave these here...

423884

423885

In the next two pictures, please note the differences in the intake runner part numbers in the lower right hand corner.

423886

423887

[kct11]

Same exhaust cams. Loks like the 300 pro xs shares intake cams with 250r

[madmatic]

Wow great catch! It's real interesting that the 300 proxs and 4 stroke have the same intake cam as the 250R. I wonder if this is a 2019 change. The long block pn# is the same for all three 300's which doesnt make sense if the R has different intake cams. Back when I ordered in may I asked about the block differences and them all having the same part number, their response was if I had to replace the long block it would be the same for either engine except the verado. Now I look at the 300 verado pn# it's long block is the same as the 250r. The intake and exhaust isn't part of the long block and known to be different. I wish we could see their cam lift, duration and degree with out taking it apart.

[madmatic]

Pn#8m0149557 is the same for 300l 300 proxs and 300R when looking at the cylinder head and camshaft long block section. Part class 0061. It would be nice to know if it's truly different or perhaps degreed different

[JPEROG]

Pn#8m0149557 is the same for 300l 300 proxs and 300R when looking at the cylinder head and camshaft long block section. Part class 0061. It would be nice to know if it's truly different or perhaps degreed different

Only one of them comes out of racing-they are different.

Joe

[mr fun]

next thing you know dogs and cats will be sleeping together :rolleyes:

[joneill]

Did you price both 300's? I'm hearing the 300r is 25k

[madmatic]

I did, price for 300l was 18.5k 300pro xs was 19.5 and the R is right at 22k this is from jacos. But the lead time is soooo long for the pro xs and I wanted a longer warranty than the R especially on a new platform. I ordered the pro xs in may and waited untill October when they said they had a regular 300 in stock and had no idea when the xs was coming so I took it.

[joneill]

I can't blame you, I'd like to have one on my boat

[WILDMAN]

You CAN use the 8 pin to 14 pin adapter harness and mount it on top in the rear. I have done it on all 5 of the new 300R's that I have installed. Saves time and money changing out the harnesses. Also makes it easier to hook up analog guages.




You will need the 14pin plug/cable and wire it accordingly. There is no room under the cowl for an adapter. Not sure about the steering but my hydraulic set up mounted to it no problem. With the torque I recommend a hydraulic set up. The lower unit will not work so but the pro xs is not much more and comes with a torque master. (Wait time was too long for me). I would set aside a grand or so for transom investigation and repair/bracing. Might as well make sure your package is solid and trouble free.

[madmatic]

Maybe on the R you can from what I was told there is a little more room since the R doesn't have the large muffler. I tried with an adapter first but it didn't work for me.