21 Mariner, 115hp or 135HO?

[ho1ywars]

Hey guys,

Picked up a 21' mariner in the fall without a motor. I have settled on a new Etec, but im just not sure if i should go with a 115, or a 135HO (which is really just a 150).

115 comes in at 379lb
135 comes in at 420lb

Im worried the 135 is going to be over kill, but im worried the 115 wont be enough? Will a 115 be sufficient? I want to cruise at 25ish, and looking for a WOT of about 35.

Any suggestions and ideas welcome.


Thanks

 

[jbcurt00]

My 18ft Holiday is rated at 120hp, if the 135 Etec is in the budget, you dont have to push it to WOT every time.... 41lbs is less then the weight of a battery or 5gals of fuel.

Either way you're gonna rile up the mob into a frenzy w a brand new Etec.

Welcome to the Tin-sanity and iboats tin dry dock.

 

[dozerII]

jb's right with the 135 you will be running way lower in the power band most of the time making it even better on fuel. Most of us on here only dream and drool about ETEC's

 

[64osby]

Our 21' Mariner has a '85 90 hp Johnson, pushes it in the high 30's in any conditions and load, 40 - 42 mph when things are perfect.

Great boats, not many here.

Love to see some pics.

 

[kmarine]

We all wish we had a little more power later on after we have had the boat a while. I recommend the 135 better to idle down and not beat the horse to death. The weight difference adds up into heavier duty parts.

 

[Georgesalmon]

I'm pretty old and can not remember any one ever saying,,,"Gee, I sure wish I had 20 LESS horse power". 40 lbs. just means I bring home 13 salmon instead of 15. Its also not just top speed, the torque of extra power in a tight situation might keep you out of the trough in a surprise thunder storm. As already said you can pull the throttle back if you want to, but once the hammer is down there is no place else to go if you need/want to. All that said 115 would probably enough to meet your goals. Last, its less money now than later if you decide you want more tomorrow or next year..

 

[elkhunter338]

I personally would not pay for the extra hp, if it was cost neutral then go for the larger. I am seriously looking into building a 25' jumbo renn tolman boat,http://www.wcboatworks.com/ most 22-24 boats this size get a 150hp 4 stroke with good results. Your boat is lighter than these and 115hp e-tec will out run a 115hp 4 stroke.
Granda had a 115hp evinrude 1980ish on a 18' crestliner open bow, that thing would do 45-50 with 3 pobs at sea level.
A friend of mine has a 21' northriver with off shore bracket welded alum. boat with a 115hp suzk 4 stroke, he can run I think 35mph at sea level. these are heavy welded boats.
a 115hp e-tec will run great,

 

[bridgeman213]

should scoot with a 135, extra 40# will raise your speed to plane...no big deal unless you run in bigger waves