Ocean express Nitro re-power options

[hydrohellion]

Hi, looking to buy a new motor this year for the project from last summer. It's an Ocean express nitro 15.5' tunnel

the boat was designed for a 90 yammy 3 cyl (260lbs)

I'm not sure what to rig it with. My thought was to go with a 4 cyl 125 merc elpto or a 130 yamaha possibly a 115 evinrude /johnson

I would also like to use a 6" setback jack plate.

I dont want to make the boat totally unsafe but would like it to be fun and fast.

with gas prices the way they are though not sure if I should just go with the Yammy 90 or try to save another year for an optimax or other DI model.

also any motors that are "tanks" and run forever would be good to know about as would any motors to stay away from.

How much savings in gas is there between DI models and carb models

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all that respond :-)

[Capt.Insane-o]

Steer clear of the 4cyl mercs, the 130 Yammie or v-4 johnsons would be perfect. I'd plop a 115 ho e-tec on it.

[Lockjaw]

My brother in law has a 130 Yammie on the back of a fish and ski that is roughly the same hull as the fishing hull in my siggy, and its a great motor. It probably runs mid 50's with a Merc high 5 on it, he uses it mainly to pull kids on tubes and ride around and fish, and he's a big ole boy, if you know what I mean.

I wouldn't be scared of a 60 Degree OMC 115 either.

[hydrohellion]

Thanks for the reply, between the V4 Yammy 130 and Evinrude 115,

will they be about the same on gas?

the evinrude is lighter but the yammy makes 15 more hp do you think eitjher will make a noticable difference?

I have heard about problems with the yammy's top end bearings, anything to be concerned about there with a early/mid 90's model?

thanks again

[hydrohellion]

here is a question,

If I have a 2.0L 150hp v6 and a 2.0L 150HP V4 of roughly the same year (assuming they exist) Will they use the same amount of gas?

[83PREDICTOR]

Have you considered a 120 130 or 140 looper?

[hydrohellion]

Have you considered a 120 130 or 140 looper?

I have but those motors are rather big and heavy for their output. If I am not mistaken they are a 2.3 or 2.4 liter V4 and weigh in at close to 400lbs. I think I would rather go with a 2.0L V6 as it would weigh about the same with better torque and overall performance.If I am mistaken, please, do let me know.

[83PREDICTOR]

I not sure of the weight? The crossflow and looper use the same lower and mid. The power heads themselves can't be much diff in weight. Certainly not a hundo pounds? I could be wrong.

[hydrohellion]

your right I stand corrected. I'm a bit more confused now though

the 140 v4 evinrude/johnson is 370lbs roughly and is also 2.0L displacement.

the 150 merc 2.0L V6 is around 400 lbs

the 150 2.44L omc is also around 400lbs so thinking this one is out. Also the 140 is supposed to be a better motor.

the Yamaha 130 is about 360lbs and 1.7L displacement.

the omc 115 v4 is 1.6L and weighs only 301lbs

Not sure how much difference the extra 35 HP will make with the extra 100lbs of weight?

Will there be a big performance difference from the 115 to the 140/150?

My thought is to save the weight and the gas and go with the 115, but maybe someone could give me some advice here.

thanks again for all the replies, it's really helping to narrow my search.

[perfmarine1]

140 crossflow,light and easy to get 150hp out of it.

[hydrohellion]

what do you think of the omc 60deg v4 115 "eagle block" ? I have been told the fast strike models put out closer to 125-130HP?

is this true??

[perfmarine1]

Yes there are nice,but not very mod friendly. Also the optical ignition can be problematic. Not sure about hp figures?

[83PREDICTOR]

140 crossflow,light and easy to get 150hp out of it.

A 140 Crossflow is a crankshaft rated engine. Evolved into the 115 Propshaft rated crossflow.

[hydrohellion]

oh ok, so a '96 115 is the same as an older 140?

What year did they change the rating system?

[83PREDICTOR]

I think 1985. When the V4 loopers came out.