I have a 2003 Sea Fox Bayfisher 215 with a Mercury 150. For what I paid for the setup, I am overall pleased. The Merc is a 2 stroke carb that I really dont care for and for the size boat, I feel it is under powered. Here are my thoughts - looking for good honest ■■■■■■■■, (knowing many mariners dont like the SeaFox), I am considering buying a good, slightly used Yamaha VMax and changing everything over to Yamaha (controls, guages, etc). Any thoughts on this engine?
2nd question, while going through the trouble of repowering, I want to address the anemic 150 horse issue. While the boat sticker states recommended power at 150hp, I was hoping to jump to either a 200 or 250hp. Staying with a 2 stroke, hopefully weight wont be much of an issue with the swap. How much concern should I have with the recommended power guidelines?
I may be wrong but if you exceed the HP rating and capacity of the boat you’d be in violation of CG rules and probably would run the risk of losing your insurance coverage.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
quote:
While the boat sticker states recommended power at 150hp,
The sticker in the boat is not recommended HP, it is the max. Which does sound anemic for a boat that size, unless it is very light with low freeboard and transom.
quote:
I may be wrong but if you exceed the HP rating and capacity of the boat you'd be in violation of CG rules and probably would run the risk of losing your insurance coverage.
Correct. It would probably never be a problem, unless there was an accident and you needed the insurance.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
unless the motor is blown, you would be a lot better off selling the boat and getting another boat/motor combo that you want.
putting a 250hp on that boat is probably a bad idea, even a 2 stroke is going to be heavy on something that is maxxed at 150 hp.
you don’t have to worry about the max hp rating, as it only applies to boats under 20’, but you are definitely opening a can of worms in my opinion.
Aren’t all the VMAX engines 20" shafts? I think unless you have a tunnel hull, that boat needs a 25" motor. Personally, I think you would be better off sticking with a Merc. An optimax would e a big improvement over that carbed 150. Sea fox may have rated it low because of the hull design or transom strength. Larry would know more about that than me, being a builder.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude
Thanks for the ■■■■■■■■. I had considered just leaving it alone and upgrading the whole vessel in a few years, as I really would like a flats boat one day, but for right now, with 3 daughters that love to fish, the bay fits the bill. Just notice a strain when I load it down with my full crew of 5 plus fuel and normal gear.
My hull is a tunnel so it hopefully would work, but something that would need to be researched.
May just keep it as is and fish the gel coat off of it and save my money.
That 150 should not be horrible on there, just a little anemic. Maybe you should see a good prop shop and get a heavy load prop to keep the motor peppy. You may need the engine tuned up too.
Hydra-Sports 22 Bay Sport
225 Rude