Author Topic: 115 hp Honda vs Yamaha for 17 Sea Chaser (Read 2191 times)

Fisherdv · « **Reply #25 on:** February 07, 2018, 08:57:01 AM »

If the Yamaha 115 is “about” the same weight as a Honda 90, what would be the reasoning to not go with a 115 cost factor aside? The Yamaha F90 is 353#, and the F115 is 377#? Doesn’t seem to be very much of a weight difference between the 2

If the Yamaha 115 is WAY too heavy for a 17, then wouldn’t a 90 Honda at 359# also be too heavy

Rokefin · « **Reply #26 on:** February 07, 2018, 09:38:42 AM »

First off you are getting a fine boat, my only issue with the subject would be tubing or water skiing with 3 or 4 people in a 17 Chaser - I just don't think there is enough room for that when all accessories are piled in the boat. You would need all the power you can get, but when all the equations are added up I would think a 90hp would be the ticket.

I have a 17 Chaser with a 115 yami and I feel I would not want any less motor, but I have never been on a 17 Chaser with a 90 so it is really hard for me to be a judge in this issue......I do have a kicker and batteries in the back but I never really notice the ass low or water flowing in the back but I have a nice figure

and only fish 2 in my boat most the time, sometimes 3 - and I still want more power

Threeweight · « **Reply #27 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:07:40 AM »

Re: a 115 not working as hard as a 90... the Yamaha 90 and 115 are the *same* motor. The 115 changes the throttle mapping and ups the rev limiter, the extra HP is all at the top of the RPM range. It is going to work just as hard as the 90 in the RPM's where an Arima operates.

I would suggest the OP call up Defiance/Arima and ask Don for his thoughts. Betcha a beer he's going to tell you go with a 90 and spend the $$$$ you save on a kicker.

Chief of the Boat · « **Reply #28 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:15:17 AM »

The Yamaha F115 is the same block as the F90, the extra power comes from the DOHC. The same thing they did with the F70.

blue heron · « **Reply #29 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:25:12 AM »

Wow, an amazing amount of comments in a short period of time on this issue. I'm in agreement with Threeweight's comments. However, if you stay with your original requirement of only a 115 Yamaha or 115 Honda my comments are: (1) Yes, go with the 100 pound lighter Yamaha. (2) If you want to fish saltwater, I'd consider a kicker for safety reasons. (You could remove the the kicker to reduce weight while pulling wakeboards and also run with less fuel in the tand to reduce rear end weight.)

blue heron · « **Reply #30 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:28:18 AM »

Sorry about the typo, that was the tail end - not tand.

Threeweight · « **Reply #31 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:31:23 AM »

Dual overhead cam designs allow engines to rev higher than a single cam (the rev limiter on the Yamaha 115 is 6300 RPM, vs. 6000 on the 90) which allows for higher peak horsepower to be be achieved with the same displacement. The upside is single cam valve trains tend to be lighter and simpler.

The Yamaha web site actually shows the 90 as 25 pounds lighter than the 115 (353# vs 377#) because of the different top ends on the motors.

I'm sure the 115 would perform great, and ultimately the owner of a boat is the main guy that needs to be happy with it. If he's going to fish salmon, though, I think he needs a good kicker more than the extra 25 hp at high RPM.

I'm now running a very different boat than my old Arima, with a much bigger (and thirstier!) motor. I miss the fuel bill on the Arima!

Chief of the Boat · « **Reply #32 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:51:49 AM »

The new BF90's are 5300-6300 http://marine.honda.com/outboards/motor-detail/BF75-90-100
https://yamahaoutboards.com/en-us/home/outboards/115-50-hp/f115

Threeweight · « **Reply #33 on:** February 07, 2018, 11:50:41 AM »

The Honda 90 is a 1.5 liter engine, where the Yamaha 90 is 1.8. Honda gets to 90 hp from the smaller motor with a single cam, but with a variable camshaft profile (they call it "VTEC"). The advantage is it allows them to have high reving, small displacement engines that reach high peak HP while having a flatter power curve than one could otherwise get.

The downside is that small is a relative term with Honda, as the VTEC design adds weight (and many of their engines are marinized versions of their automotive or motorcycle designs). Thus their motor ends up weighing more than the Yamaha and Suzuki 90's (though it would be interesting to see what the power curves of the three motors look like).

pgbrown · « **Reply #34 on:** February 07, 2018, 12:34:08 PM »

While I am running a Honda 90 with the matching 9.9 on my 17, it does seem a bit heavy at times but with trim tabs, it's all good, even with 2 batteries in the stern/ port and starboard. I did compensate by keeping the DR weights in the cuddy in the middle of the boat, along with an additional bag of sand nearer the bow.
Here is a pic of me at rest in the marina

I saw this on the Suzuki site that did give a quick comparison with Honda and Yamaha.Click on the Suzuki advantages link

http://www.suzukimarine.com/Product%20Lines/Outboard%20Motors/Products/DF90/2012/DF90A.aspx

Fisherdv · « **Reply #35 on:** February 07, 2018, 02:24:06 PM »

Lots of good advice from some very knowledgeable members. It’s safe to say that the Honda 115 is out of the decision. Just to heavy. So if you can only choose between Honda and Yamaha brand motors you only have a few options. Honda 90 or Yamaha 90-115. Honda 90 with a 4-blade prop and trim tabs to get that wakeboarder up you would probably be very happy. 5 yr warranty, less cost. Yamaha 115, more top end speed (although not much), 3 year warranty, probably a few thousand more $$$ than the Honda. Both well respected brands. Man, I would not want to have to make this decision. Up to you, at this point I think cost would be the determining factor. Good luck, and let us know what you decide. Really, I think you would be more than happy with either one

mustang65fbk · « **Reply #36 on:** February 07, 2018, 04:35:52 PM »

I’d chat with the Arima guys at Defiance and see what they have to say but for me the choice is easy. 90hp Honda with a 5 year warranty and then a matching 6-8hp Honda kicker motor. Spend the extra money you save on a kicker and GPS/electronics. If you want more power then I’d get a bigger boat

like a 19-21’ SR and/or a bigger garage for said boat. Nice used Arima’s also come up fairly often. Might also be something to think about.

Sparhawk · « **Reply #37 on:** February 07, 2018, 08:07:21 PM »

I would go with a yamaha 90 and a kicker, you will get a bit more bang for your buck IMO. While you said you don’t want a kicker, in the event that your engine breaks down or has an issue, a kicker can be a godsend. Kickers are also helpful if you aren’t the best at docking, loading the boat, you need to maneuver in a tight space, or the ramp is shallow so the main can’t be used safely, etc. Plus it can help some people feel a bit safer knowing that there is a backup engine.

mysealium · « **Reply #38 on:** February 07, 2018, 10:14:40 PM »

I wish I had a 115 on my sea chaser 17................. especially going out albacore fishing offshore with 3 guys and a boat load of tuna ................then again I have an older carb honda 90. I believe the newer fuel injected honda 90 has more HP. Can anyone confirm this?

Threeweight · « **Reply #39 on:** February 07, 2018, 11:34:31 PM »

Wouldn't have more horsepower, but the VTEC system would make for a flatter power curve (meaning it would have more power lower in it's RPM range).

I never wanted for power fishing for Tuna! or halibut in my old 17' with a Suzi 90, but for Tuna! I never fished more than 2 people and a dog. If you feel like it doesn't have enough grunt when loaded heavy, look into a 4 blade prop... the cheap Solas Amita 4 blades are popular with Arima owners for that reason.

beancounter · « **Reply #40 on:** February 08, 2018, 04:22:17 AM »

Second threeweight's comment if you have a 90 on a 17 and feel underpowered you are overpropped. I run a carbed Honda 90 on a 19 Chaser and I can fill that boat with fat blokes,gear,ice etc and it will jump right on plane. Is it fast heck no. Never see 30 mph but I am usually cruising 18-22 mph right where a little Arima shines.

StreamFixer · « **Reply #41 on:** February 08, 2018, 09:43:37 AM »

As one of the Island guys noted.. Conditions as sea seldom allow you to run WOT. Beancounter's speed is just about an Arima max in most ocean conditions in the NW. If you are fishing the Sound, don't plan on WOT conditions very often and then not for long.

A 4 blade prop, properly sized, can make a world of difference in your boat's performance.

StreamFixer

mustang65fbk · « **Reply #42 on:** February 08, 2018, 02:02:17 PM »

someone just posted this in the "for sale" section of the website. Looks like a very clean boat and with low hours, it also sports a 90hp Honda. Might be something to think about if you can get your deposit back, probably a good deal cheaper than a new boat and would be a fun drive to Cali and back. I myself drove out to Maryland and back this last summer to buy my 21' SR ST. It was over 6000 miles roundtrip but I had a lot of fun and would do it again in a second.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/d/2003-arima-sea-ranger-honda/6482854388.html

troll4fish · « **Reply #43 on:** February 08, 2018, 10:01:16 PM »

I have a 1992 sc17 with a 2003 mercury (Yamaha) 90 on it. It is more than enough power even at the altitudes I fish (9000' ASL down to sea level) my motor was built by Yamaha and the specs say it weighs 386 and I did move my batteries up front were the porta-potty was to lighten the ass end! I also have a Honda 8hp full remote power tilt kicker back there on the salt boss style Arima bracket adding another 140LBS!
I would go lighter if I were you and like my motor I think the only difference between the Yamaha's 75, 90 and 115 is the tuning!

Here is how mine sits with the two of us and all our gear in the boat plus a couple of 20LB salmon in the box!.

Fisherdv · « **Reply #44 on:** February 08, 2018, 10:08:08 PM »

I’m seeing the newer Yamaha F90 weighing 353#

, the 115, 377#

mustang65fbk · « **Reply #45 on:** February 09, 2018, 05:01:35 AM »

Yeah the higher HP Honda outboards can get on the heavy side. As others have stated, they will often use their vehicle engines and turn them into a marine outboard, so they tend to weigh more. If I was the OP I'd go with the Honda 100hp engine as it weighs the same as the 75-90hp Honda at 359lbs, yet it has 10 more hp, since it seems he wants as much as possible, yet it still comes with the 5 year warranty as opposed to the 3 year with Yamaha.

Fishgriller · « **Reply #46 on:** February 09, 2018, 01:32:32 PM »

The 100hp Honda did cross my mind and looked appealing. However, when I researched it, i found out that it requires premium fuel which is not only more expensive but also less available at marina fuel stations. I double checked with Honda and they confirmed that premium gas is a requirement.

Fisherdv · « **Reply #47 on:** February 09, 2018, 01:36:28 PM »

I’ve always used premium in all my motors regardless

mustang65fbk · « **Reply #48 on:** February 09, 2018, 01:54:31 PM »

Quote from: Docmi on February 09, 2018, 01:32:32 PM

The 100hp Honda did cross my mind and looked appealing. However, when I researched it, i found out that it requires premium fuel which is not only more expensive but also less available at marina fuel stations. I double checked with Honda and they confirmed that premium gas is a requirement.

Have you checked with Defiance or whomever you’re going to buy the the boat from in terms of what the price is for each engine? I don’t want to sound like a smart arse or anything but you’re wanting to potentially spend thousands of dollars more on a higher hp engine that very few people on here, and likely from Arima/Defiance, are recommending to then be worried about spending an extra $.15-20/gal on premium fuel? Even if you had to buy premium fuel... if you put in 30 gallons of fuel and say the price difference is $.20/gal between regular and premium, you'd still only be spending $6 more for premium. That doesn’t make any sense to me. And most places around here that I know of have both regular, premium and diesel.

Threeweight · « **Reply #49 on:** February 09, 2018, 02:23:59 PM »

The Honda requires premium fuel to make 100 hp (it is a very high compression motor). When run on 87 octane, the engine's computer will retard timing to avoid knocking. It will run just fine on 87, but it will probably produce something more like 90 hp.

Same thing with Yamaha's 2.8 liter 200... run it on regular and it detunes to avoid knocking, and likely puts out power similar to the Yamaha 175.

Most marina's that have non-ethanol fuel will be selling mid-grade or premium fuel. I personally would avoid a motor that required premium to make full power, but mostly because I burn a lot of fuel in the summer. With a 100 gallon tank, $2.45 cent regular is a lot less painful than $2.99 premium, or $4.00 marina fuel.

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Author Topic: 115 hp Honda vs Yamaha for 17 Sea Chaser (Read 2191 times)