repower honda to e-tec

[mbfish]

I'm seriously looking at re-powering, from a 2006 Honda BF90 to a new E-tec 115. My only real beef with the Honda is the power. I have a Lowe 175 FS and the holeshot is terrible. I can get up to 35mph with the 90 with a 15-pitch prop at 6000-6100 rpm. I went with this boat a few years ago because the family grew and I wanted to get back into water skiing and tubing. The 90 won't pull me out of the water on a ski.
The boat is rated for a 115 as a max. Personally, I think it probably should be more, but that's me. Is this E-tec going to give me what I want? I'm looking for a good holeshot and good power for skiing and tubing as well as I want to Walleye and Lake Trout troll. The upgrade is a significant amount of cash and don't want to be disappointed. I'm anticipating a 17 pitch prop with the new motor. What is the sentiment out there?...

 

[Sea Rider]

You can always maximize current prop to suit particular needs as skiing. For skiing you only need a lightly loaded boat, driver, aft spotter if mandatory to have one and skier. Was 6 K revs metered withyou alone and lightly loaded boat ? Is 6 K the max wot rpm factory stated for that engine ?

You can always install a one less pitch prop to over rev a bit, just for faster boat and skier hole shot, then throtttle down enough to maintain skier on plane. Before investing on a new engine, try other prop and test if things gets better pulling a skier.

It's a must have at least 2 props, one exclusively for skiing and other for family leisure, both associated to the bummer of having to change it each time you change the mode of use.

Happy Boating

 

[steelespike]

The Honda is a fine motor I haven't heard that the 90 is hole shot dog I would suspect an underlying problem.
Are you sking with the whole family?
I'm all for it a new Etec. You might check the 115 and 90 perfortmanmce reports on the etec site.
The 90 generally runs a touch under 40, with 15" and 17" props. Hole shots 3 sec. to 4.1 sec.
The 115 generally 17" props usually over 40 and with 3.7-5.5 hole shots slightly heavier boats than the 90.
Give em all a look.

 

[hondam]

Have you made any adjustments to your setup? A SS 4 brade prop will give you a much better holeshot than a 3 blade aluminum,, a $200 prop would be much less than a new motor. 2006 was still a carburated 90 so comparing it directly to a new etec or even a new honda isnt really fair, not current technology youll get much better performance with the current technologies.

If you decide on a new ETEC definately go with the 115 over the 90 etec, its a much better motor. The 90 is a 3cyl and ive had to replace several oil pumps on them. The 115 is a great motor, the etec is not going to be as quiet, reliable, or fuel efficient as your Honda but youll get the performance.

 

[mbfish]

I think I've done about all I can as far as trying to optimize the 90. I'm currently running a 15-pitch four blade prop at as high as possible on the transom. I've tried lower pitch props but then I can only get like 28mph at over 6000 rpms, so you're running WOT when towing a skier around. I very carefully balanced the carbs which made the idle smoother and almost completely removed the typical Honda 90 bog that occurs when you hit the throttle at idle.

The newer Honda 90's may have more grunt down low but this older carbed unit is pretty lazy out of the hole (even though 2006 is not that old).

I think I've pretty much made up my mind on the E-tec. They are offering free rigging and 6-year warranty right now.

I do consider that Honda about as tough and smooth as they come. Never had a hint of trouble in the 7 years that I owned it. It'll be a great unit on the back of someone's boat. Just not mine.