New Power on my 96 Islander

[deepdesire]

First trip with my new Suzuki DF300AP. Never realized how underpowered she was with the original 250ox66. She now cruises at 25 knots and burns 14 gals./hr with 2 people full fuel and water and lots of offshore gear. Hole shot is disapointing with a 3x16x17 Suzuki prop, working with dealer to reprop waiting on new 15p prop. Always cruised at 22 to 23 knots burning 16gph, never realized how much better she rides with the increased speed. Extra motor weight was a concern because of Euro transom. Scuppers still above waterline. For anyone looking to repower a single engine Islander, look into the Suzuki DF300AP you wont be dissapointed.

 

[scott1949]

Same, I repowered with Yamaha 300, changed the pitch to a 15 which made big difference. Very happy with this setup but have thought about what a 4 blade would do for hole shot.

 

[deepdesire]

Years ago I talked to the folks at Powertech regarding a 4 blade for my Ox66250. They had suggested a 15 diameter by 14 pitch. I never followed through with it. As I recall they stated better hole shot and stern lift.

 

[scott1949]

I went with the Yamaha Saltwater series, 15 3/4" diameter with 15 pitch. That was the largest diameter wheel Yamaha had at the time.

 

[blindmullet]

I'm going through something similar with my 300. They gave me a 20p on my 300. Only hitting 5400rpms and about 46mph. Burn 8.6 at 25 and 10gph at 30. I'm thinking a 17 will be the ticket. I bought a 18.5 second hand, but the clown spun the hub before I got it.

 

[Fishtales]

Great report. I think the Sukes are a great option as long as there is local service for them. Solid motor.

 

[blindmullet]

When Yamaha bought transoms years ago and provided a solid product it solidified their position. Suzuki is doing the same thing in the repower world. When the new boat market tanks it will be interesting for Yamaha.

I want Honda to push a little more. It will only be better for the boating community.

 

[deepdesire]

Installed the 16 diameter x 15 pitch 3 blade. While hole shot is much better the wot speed went down to 31 knts. The motor now spins right up and easily hits 6300 rpm. The boat was light with no water and only 70 gals of fuel. Added fuel to the boat yesterday. The Suzuki fuel management said I was down 65.4 gallons. She took 65.4 gallons, I was impressed. Gonna load her up heavy and see how she runs. I think the 16p might be the best of both worlds.

 

[Rhumbline268]

all in all happy with the 300 on her vs the 250 2 smoker?

 

[deepdesire]

Very Happy. Like a totally different boat. Just finished the 20 hr service and resplashed today. Raised the engine up another hole. Gonna keep playing with props til I get her where I'm happy with speed and economy. Motor is strong, fly by wire is incredible. Can talk in normal voice at 5300 rpm. The extra weight on the transom requires more adjustment of the trim tabs but she seems to ride better. I could not afford to cruise at 26 to 28 knots due to fuel burn at that speed with the ox66. With 134 gallon tank the new fuel consumption allows me range I never had. The hull rides much better then she did at 23knt cruise with the ox at 17gph.

 

[ocnslr]

We bought our 270 Islander new in March 2002 with a single 250HP OX66. Cruise speed and fuel consumption was just as you noted. Caught the offshore fishing bug and even with the larger 150-gal tank we didn't have the range to head offshore of Virginia Beach for pelagics.

It was Sep-Oct 2005, so not much in the way of 300-hp engines to chose from, although we considered the Yamaha 300HPDI and the Suzuki DF300. HPDI was having a lot of problems and Suzuki sales and service in our area was dismal. So we traded the OX66 with 465 hrs on her towards the twin F150s. Definitely a different boat, with cruise speed five kts higher at 40% better fuel efficiency, and WOT about seven kts higher. Had almost 1600hrs on the twins when we sold the boat.

If I was repowering an Islander now, I would really consider a big single as the OP did, or a pair of Yamaha F200s.

 

[scott1949]

When I repowered in 2011, installed this jack plate. You can dial in for your best mpg with ease. Like all of us, trying to get the best possible fuel management. Absolutely no issues with the jack plate and have been in some very heavy seas with it. You can now get these for twin motor applications. This is one add-on that I have really appreciated.

 

[RussGW270]

We bought our 270 Islander new in March 2002 with a single 250HP OX66. Cruise speed and fuel consumption was just as you noted. Caught the offshore fishing bug and even with the larger 150-gal tank we didn't have the range to head offshore of Virginia Beach for pelagics.

It was Sep-Oct 2005, so not much in the way of 300-hp engines to chose from, although we considered the Yamaha 300HPDI and the Suzuki DF300. HPDI was having a lot of problems and Suzuki sales and service in our area was dismal. So we traded the OX66 with 465 hrs on her towards the twin F150s. Definitely a different boat, with cruise speed five kts higher at 40% better fuel efficiency, and WOT about seven kts higher. Had almost 1600hrs on the twins when we sold the boat.

If I was repowering an Islander now, I would really consider a big single as the OP did, or a pair of Yamaha F200s.

We have twin 225s on the boat now, but I agree with you....I think, looking at prices, the 200s are where the "price break" is. When we do repower, I may be downgrading to save 1/3 the cost.. heh

R

 

[deepdesire]

Update. Installed a Powertech 16 x 17 x 3 LFS stainless prop. The following reflects the performance with this prop. rpm 4650 20kts 12.2 gph 50 % trim 5000 rpm 23.5.kts 13.6 gph 50% trim 6000rpm 32.4 kts 24 gph Until you get over 5000 rpm she gets slightly over 2 mpg This prop will spin up to 6300 rpm not sure if I should try an 18p or be happy with what I have. Any thoughts?The Suzuki 16 x 17 x 3 prop has much more blade surface area and wont allow the motor to spin over 5400 rpm. The speed and mpg are a little better but she needs trim tabs to plane. Think running at wot of 5400 is to much load.

 

[deepdesire]

Took the Suzuki and Powertech props to Eastern propeller. Turns out both props actually measure a 16 pitch. The power tech prop has much less blade surface. The plan is to modify the Suzuki prop to allow for 6000 rpm wot and provide a descent hole shot

 

[deepdesire]

Update. Had the zuke 17p prop reworked to a 14p with some seriously long cup. She'll spin up to 6100 rpm at 33 kts. 4900 rpm 26 kts and 13 gph. 4450 rpm 23 kts 11.5 gph. We Happy!