4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS now w/pic

[Krichbourg]

I found a 115 hp 4 stroke Suzuki in my price range. It's a 2001 which weighs aprox. 400 lbs. Do you think this is too heavy for my boat? My Starcraft is a '77 which is rated for a 150 hp. If I'm going to get it, it will have to be tomorrow morning. Any advice or input is appreciated.

 

[Matlok]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

You will hopefully hear from some of the more experienced guys, but I think you will be fine. I just bought a 18 ss and plan on putting a 500 pound 130 honda on it. My theory is if the 16 ft can handle a 300 pound omc 90 plus a kcker motor, it can handle a heavy motor.
I did some rough math and I think at worst case, my boat will sit 2" lower at the back with the 500 pouind engine. In your case it would be 1" .
Let me know how it works out.
Matlok

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Thanks for your input Matlok. My research indicates that a 150 hp Evinrude in 1978 weighs 385lbs. I'm thinking I'll be OK. I'm trying to find out as much as I can about that Suzuki. Good luck with your Honda. Let us know how it preforms once you get her in the water.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Add more foam in the rear

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Ummm...Excuse me Starman but adding more foam will add boyancy and weight, not displacement. Kicker would be off center, in a stronger area of the transom so not all that weight gets added to the main eingine weight calc. Looks like you'll be fine if your transom is in excellent shape. Can't wait to see it!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Add more foam in the rear

!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Speaking as an 18' SS owner, I think you'll be just fine with that motor.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Thanks EZ. I was hoping you would chime in.
Starman, thanks for the advise, I think instead I'll go with a string of helium balloons if I need more lift.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

The only problem I can see is paying for the motor, and missing the sweet smell of 2-stroke fumes wafting thru the cockpit

Sounds like a good match to me, post some video once you test it out

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

The only problem I can see is paying for the motor, and missing the sweet smell of 2-stroke fumes wafting thru the cockpit

Sounds like a good match to me, post some video once you test it out

Thanks HA. Will do. I'm trying to make sense of the computer printout he sent me. I'm hoping to make arrangements to see it and hear it run today. If it works out, I'll just have to rely on my chainsaw for that sweet smell.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

I think instead I'll go with a string of helium balloons if I need more lift.

That was pretty funny right there

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Thanks for all the input guys. I got that motor. 2001 4 stroke Suzuki with cables, throttle, tach and 2 stainless props for 3K. Took the boat down to Savannah and had them mount it for me rather than haul it in the back of the truck. Looks good back there. First splash will be coming up soon. I'm on the road for a couple of days starting tomorrow. Pics when I get back. Thanks again.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

That seems like a ridiculously good deal to me. A new one would be close to $10k.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

That seems like a ridiculously good deal to me. A new one would be close to $10k.

I thought so too. That's why I jumped on it quick. Wouldn't have lasted long. The only issue which gave me pause was a the rusted steering arm. I'm gonna treat that with rust converter and hope for the best. I will need to get an operators and service manual as well. The guy bought this rig for the boat. He pulled the motor off and got him a new 4 stroke Merc. Young guy, wanted a new Merc. I think I got a good motor for the dollar.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Weird. I could see tradin' the Suzi up for a Yamaha but a Merc? Phtht.

 

[Krichbourg]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Weird. I could see tradin' the Suzi up for a Yamaha but a Merc? Phtht.

These kids today. Go figure.

 

[Starman8]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Thanks EZ. I was hoping you would chime in.
Starman, thanks for the advise, I think instead I'll go with a string of helium balloons if I need more lift.

That was pretty funny right there

Well, the SS has styro on the port and star sides of the splashwell and in the crossbeam that
attaches to the sidewalls already, so adding 100-150 pounds of weight off the back that wasn't
in the original specs means nothing.

The 1977 model 1500 had roughly a dry weight of 290 pounds versus about 425 on the Suzuki 115hp.

The boat weighs 844 dry so you will be hanging 1/2 of the boats weight off the transom.

The 1990 SS18 weighed 1300 pounds with a max 120HP

There is something to be said for poppin wheelies....................lol

 

[jbing81]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Well, the SS has styro on the port and star sides of the splashwell and in the crossbeam that
attaches to the sidewalls already, so adding 100-150 pounds of weight off the back that wasn't
in the original specs means nothing.

Huh????? :facepalm:

 

[Starman8]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Huh????? :facepalm:

old SS models have styrofoam, or should have, in the rear, in other words, "pay no attention to that foam behind the curtain"

look at any old SS area underneath the splashwell, those 2 metal pieces house styro as does the cross support? HUH!

"means nothing" means heavy sarcasm

If my boat weighed 850 pounds, no way I hang 425 off the back of it. Forget HP, it is about weight distribution and the effort it can be keeping that bow down when accelerating, trim or not.

 

[Matlok]

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

Re: 4 Stroke 115 for my 18' Starcraft SS

I am interested to hear how the boat and the 115 work out. I have not mounted my 130 on my 18 ss yet. We currently have the 130 on an older 16ft fiberglass which is rated for 140. The previous motor on that boat was a 90 omc v4. Other than sitting lower in the water at the back ( about 1.5"lower) end we did not notice any difference in boat handling ( other than the fact is was faster) .
We did the old "put the gas tank in front" and it did not matter.
Once my kids had it loaded up with about 8 teenagers, tube, skis etc and at one point they were all in the back near the one side. It was close, but not near a problem.
Now, I had my loyalism's to the 2 stroke omc v4's. Loved them and really had a hard time going for the 4 stroke. But after using the 4 stroke for a season, WOW, what a pleasant way to boat. NO STINKY fumes, extremely quiet and much better on gas. And no oil to buy!! It was a fantastic decision. GAS at our marina here in Canada is $1.75 a liter. I think there is about 3.45 litre per usa gallon.
So, I am looking forward to hear how the 115 works out.