Fourstroke repower on 22 seafarer question

[Weso]

Anybody have anything less than a 200 H.p on there seafarer? This boat shop says he could repower my 22 seafarer with a 150 mercury with the right pitch and it would push as hard as my 225 yamaha two stroke. I remember seeing Defiance with 150 in brochures. If you have tell me your experience.

 

[CJ7Rob]

Anybody have anything less than a 200 H.p on there seafarer? This boat shop says he could repower my 22 seafarer with a 150 mercury with the right pitch and it would push as hard as my 225 yamaha two stroke. I remember seeing Defiance with 150 in brochures. If you have tell me your experience.

150hp is underpowered for that boat. Go 200 and up Max is 300.

 

[Weso]

Yea I'm thinking 225 so I can get the v6

 

[ScottyCee]

I had a 225 SWSII on mine and would have loved 250hp or more. NO WAY would I buy a 150 for that hull...

 

[Parthery]

I had one with a 200 HPDI....when propped properly it's a 40-41 mph boat. I wouldn't go any smaller.

 

[leeccoll]

Have a 200HP on mine, same feedback for you as Parthery gave, I would not go any smaller, especially if you fish in open seas.

40-41mph

 

[ScottyCee]

225 or 250 4 stroke is perfect for the 226 in my opinion.

 

[luckydude]

I have a 2020 228 with a 250. If I did it all over again, I'd get the 300, not for top speed, but for the hole shot. My 250 struggles to get on plane in lumpy conditions. If you are on a lake, 200 might be fine. Absolutely not on the 150. My boat loaded up is over 6000 pounds. I had a 150 on boat that was 3500 pounds, that was fine. 150 on a 228/226? I really think you will regret that. Maybe not on small lakes but if you are on the great lakes or an ocean, way under powered.

 

[Don Davis]

I have a 2012 250 Suzuki on my 1999 Seafarer and it has lots of power even with 6 people on board. With 4 people I cruise at 31 mph at 4400 rpm. It has an incredible hole shot with the variable valve timing and very quiet.
As others have said, a 150hp would be ridiculously under powered for that hull.

 

[Holokai]

I mean in theory you could go with a 150... Use an extremely low pitch prop and max out at 23 knots WOT with horrible mpg...

250 will probably be the ticket. Upgrading to a 300 (at least for Suzuki engines) won’t do much 90% of the time as they’re mechanically identical except for the ECU. Likely the same for most of the other 250/300 engines; the 300s will get you a little more at WOT but midrange isn’t significantly different.

Your comment about the 225 being a v6 is more spot on than anything. You need midrange more than top end.

 

[seasick]

I have a 2020 228 with a 250. If I did it all over again, I'd get the 300, not for top speed, but for the hole shot. My 250 struggles to get on plane in lumpy conditions. If you are on a lake, 200 might be fine. Absolutely not on the 150. My boat loaded up is over 6000 pounds. I had a 150 on boat that was 3500 pounds, that was fine. 150 on a 228/226? I really think you will regret that. Maybe not on small lakes but if you are on the great lakes or an ocean, way under powered.

Have you considered a 4 blade prop for better low end thrust?

 

[Ky Grady]

To get the true midrange grunt, the F250 is the ticket. I currently run a F225 and a 4 blade prop, and with the 4 blade, it helps overcome the lack of midrange that the F225 lacks. Patiently waiting on a new F250 Yamaha as we speak, which will be ideal for me, since my '04 is only rated for a 250. To drop all the way down to a 150 would be a huge mistake OP. The F225 is marginal at best IMO. It gets the job done, but struggles at times to do it, especially with full crew, full fuel, full gear.

 

[wrxhoon]

Looks like you have an old (pre 1998) with a vista top. Your boat is much lighter that a late model one with a hardtop. At a very minimum you need a 200 V6 Merc, 225 is better. If I was you I would go with the 250 V8, you can never have too much power on a boat provided you keep within the manufacturers recommended max, it is there for a reason.

I have a 4.2 lt 250 on my boat but if I was to re-power I would go for a 300 Merc, nothing wrong with my 250 Yamaha but I prefer Mercs.

 

[rrm9440]

I have a 2003 228 with a 2017 250 and performs great under heavy load and high seas. Prior owner had the 225 and he upgraded to the 250 and says it was a game changer getting on plane and mid range. He also said it got better mpg i guess due to the technology changes from 03 to 17. I had a 1990 20' overnighter w/a 2003 225hp with a power prop and loved it. Wide open throttle was only low 40's mph but in tough seas It could hold steady at 2500rpm and chomp thru and steady. Interesting enough, with the old hull design, it was easier to handle than my current sea-v2 and more stable. The sea-v2 definitely rides better with less pounding and is dryer but you trade some stability.

Has anyone added the power assist steering to their 250 or 300? I understand it works well and really helps in big seas, particularly when running parallel to the waves.

 

[luckydude]

Have you considered a 4 blade prop for better low end thrust?

I have a 4 blade that I got from Ken. I wasn't looking for more thrust, I was looking to stay on plane at slower speeds. I _think_ it made a little difference but no more than half mile slower and still on plane. My boat really wants 20mph to stay on plane, in some conditions it will stay on at 19 but not most conditions, has to be really flat.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

Get at least a 250 . you won't regret it.