long over due update:
Mid January the 282 was re-powered from 2002 F225s to Suzuki DF300's!
new gauges, controls and motors and into the world of fly-by-wire!
the throttles are touchy especially coming from friction cable controls but know i will prefer them to the old. just some time needed to adjust.
The good news and bad news . . .
Good: awesome acceleration! I never had issue even fully loaded getting the boat on plane but with the new 600hp its effortless and really throws you back in your seat. I had to a couple times for shiz and giggles push the sticks down but found easing the throttles to 3000+ rpm will easily and smoothly put the boat on plane (med heavy load: 4 guys full fuel). Top speed is much improved as formerly around 36-37 knots loaded; with the new power and engines not broken in yet saw 44+ knots (med heavy load).
Cruise speed and efficiency is only minority better (kinda disappointed). motors seem to prefer 4000 rpm cruise with pushes the boat at 28 knots burning about 19gph for about 1.5mpg (pretty good). I was hoping for a cruise around 26-28 knots but burn 13-16 gph. May need to play around with the engine trim more to see better numbers. The F225 yami's were not to finicky on trim, but the new Zukes seem to like more trim than the yamis.
The new gauges are really nice and have much more info at your finger tips and can display more info at once. I got the std 2 square digital gauges which can show fuel level (simultaneous show both tanks but you still have to manually throw the fuel selector valves located under aft bench), flow, economy, hours, oil temp, voltage, speed, etc.). My old yami round gauges didn't show engine oil temp, only when it hit high alarm did it sound and flash--nice to see it coming rather than engine self-shutting down due to a clog fr seaweed or such). Also with the gauges is 'troll mode' which allows easy tap increments of 50 rpm up or down. As a PacNW salmon troller, this is a great feature. The push button start is nice but not a game changer, the key simply is required to turn the gauges ON and as a physical security measure.
The black motors look darn good hanging off the 282 and they look slimmer and there is noticeably more space between the motors.
The cons/bad news . . .
Twin DF300's with new gauges and controls cost a truck load of cash . . . ouch, especially since i wasn't planning for such.
twin Zukes are about 100-120 pounds combined heavier than the F225's which they replaced, but really not discernible at the water line nor felt during any boating.
i may get used to it but i kinda liked the noise/sound of the yami's a bit better than these here zukes.
Dealer may adjust and increase the engine tilt upper limit as the motor skegs currently sit 8+ inches in water tilted up. Dealer said it can be adjusted but wonder how much more without 'crushing' the cables coming out of the front. The Zukes sit further forward on its motor mounts compared to most and in fact the drive shaft is offset from the motor and uses a gear up top. This offset forward does a couple things: moves centre mass of power head further over transom (imo a good thing), introduces a gear which allows a different final gear ratio at the lower end allowing to spin a larger prop (generally a good thing).
the primary water nose cone intake makes using muffs difficult. Dealer chooses to duct tapes over the front intakes and then use regular muffs to run engines on land or to flush. Suzuki needs to make a flush unit specifically for these motors.
i may need to play with engine trim more but motors seem happier and sound better at 4000 rpm than say 3500 or 3700. Trying to save fuel but the new motors seem to want to boogie faster.
Side note:
looks like i have sold the boat. As much as i'd like to enjoy it with the fresh power, i've had an itch for a while and will be looking for a larger boat very soon. The new owner will be getting a better than average condition boat with new power 6 years warranty, and freshly serviced and tired 3-axle alum trailer ready for this season.
