18 ft Explorer with 150 hp Suzuki performance questions.

[fishlakeman]

This is a follow up question from my frustrated questions. I'm looking for people out there that have this package or an 18 ft explorer with any motor. I looked back a saw that lovenlifeguy has this package, so if your out there Please help me out.

1. What pitch prop do you have on what kind of motor?

2. What kind of speed mph do u get with that motor/prop

3. If you have the suzuki, have you had any problems with it?

Its my understanding that a 115 4-stk should push this boat at 42-44 mph, and was told by a dealer that the 150 2stk should get me around 60 with a stainless.

[TSCTSC]

I am not what you want to compare...but here is my data anyway. 90 HP Yammy 2 stroke on Lund Pike 16 with 3 batteries, 2 chargers, 2 anchors, full kit, full tank 27 gallons, 2 seats, trolling motor, electric anchor winch, 2 passengers, one dog....maximum unassisted top speed is 36-37mph at 5000rpm. That speed is fast enuff for me that I am happy with it. I believe I could hit 50+mph if I take out everything but that is not what I would want. So perhaps, 60mph is what the boat, nearly empty, and the motor, in the most ideal and light conditions would do. Heheh. One other thing, I think that whether it is 2 or 4 stroke, the HP output is the same....only difference is that 4 strokers probably add about 100lbs + more in weight and that 4 strokers take a little longer to hit top HP.

[LovenLifeGuy]

Fishlake, I do have this package and have been happy with it. Im not sure what my pitch is on my prop but I will check and let you know. From the sounds of things you are not having much fun with the boat or the service. I bought my boat from st. cloud (crystal pierz) and have nothing but the best for service, maybe you want to try giving them a call it sounds like they may treat you a lot better. As for the motor I do have that same bog down issue when I put it down the first time taking off. It last about 5-10 seconds and is done and only happens when I have not used the boat in a couple weeks. I was told that it is because I leave the motor on the transom saver while its not in use.

I can get 5500 rpms out of my boat and it will do 48 mph with a full tank of gas and three guys and all our gear. With a 1/4 tank of gas and just me it will push high 50's. I had a stainless prop on it that I was given by the dealer but I no longer use it due to it being damaged. All this info is with the allum hustler prop that I was given when i bought the boat. Im going to stick with this prop because the boat moves plenty fast now.

I have not had much for problems and I use my boat a lot. It idles fine and I even trolled cranks with it about two weeks ago for 4-5 hours with no problems, although I think it would be nice to have a kicker.

I hope this helps.. let me know if I can help in anyway.. Good luck!!!

LovenLifeGuy

[fishlakeman]

Thank you very much lovenlifeguy, you don't know how much I appreciate it!!!!!!! I will give crystal piertz a call tommorow to see if I can get it in. I actually have really enjoyed the boat, I mean the motor started, ran, and idled great up until my 20 check-up last week, now it dies every minute of idle. It never has gotten above 4,900 rpm though. I now know something wasn't right from the get go with the rpm's and it's not a prop issue. Your post is very encouraging and hopefully the mechanics can figure out whats wrong! That 18 ft explorer is an awesome boat, I absolutely love it, and have taken it out every weekend and some weekdays. Again, thanks for the reply!

[Buck44]

I have a Crestliner 1850 Fish Hawk with a 150 Suzuki that I just bought this year. I have also noticed the problem with the motor bogging out when it is initially put down. As for top RPMs, mine also runs at about 4900.

[LovenLifeGuy]

Well, it sounds like it is a common problem with the motor boging down at first. I would like to know why it does this. It only happens once in awhile and only when I first put it down. I will try to contact crystal pierz to see if they can help but from what fishlake is saying it might be like pulling teeth. If you guys find out why or have any ideas please let me know and I will do the same.

Thanks, LovenLifeGuy

[fishlakeman]

Lovenlife, I posted my motor performance questions on an international boat motor forum, and had 3 guys who owned this motor say the same thing about the bogging down initially. It seems to me like it may be something with the design of the motor. I havent heard of anyone with this motor that hasn't had a boggdown problem. A guy did say that in his 2nd year, his motor has been running a lot better and doesn't do it anymore. He said he changed plugs 3 times in his 1st year, so maybe a change of plugs would help?

With everyone I've talked to having this problem, it makes me wonder if there is a faulty part that needs recalling?

[marine_man]

Can you explain the circumstances surrounding the "bogging down" the first time? Are you talking about the first time after you start the engine and you go to wide open throttle, or punch it?

If so, are you allowing the motor sufficient time to warm up?

marine_man

[fishlakeman]

The bogging down occurs when I let the motor warm up and idle for a while, which I do every time on the initial start up. On the cold days early on, when I was either anchored or trolling with the electric for 1/2 an hour or longer, I would let it warm up for another 5 minutes before punching it. The bogging down I know for a fact is from excess oil, as I have to shift it into neutral and rev the engine to clear it out (a huge cloud of blue smoke is left when I do it). The motor then has a good hole shot. It doesn't matter how warm the engine is, the bogging down happens when it is run at low rpm for an excess of 3 minutes. For example, I'll have been driving around the lake, and then reach a large now wake area. After putting through that area for 3 or 4 minutes, I'll go to open it up and it's a slug.

Lovenlife and Buck, after having a long conservation with the service manager at crystal, and receiving a post from my other question on this forum, it sound like to get rid of the bog down issue is to have the ecm flashed. I don't know what the ecm is, but i guess it controls the oil and gas mixture. The only way to have this corrected is by a Suzuki mechanic. The suzuki mechanic is very hard to get a hold of, but I have an appointment with him on the 27th of June at the Crystal store to have this done. If you are interested, maybe give the Crystal store a call and see if he could service you boat while he's in the area. It sounds like having this done greatly improves the performance of the outboard.

Buck, it sounds like you motor is running the exact same way mine was before I brought it in for the 20 hr check. If I were you, I would definately have this done to your motor. In my opinion, this motor should've been recalled to have this done to all of them, as like I said before, everyone I have talked to has had this problem. If you didn't buy your motor from Crystal Pierz, have your marine call suzuki saying you heard they would be in the area on the 27th and that you are having similar problems and need your ecm flashed.

[PerchJerker]

Sorry to take the wind out of your sails, but an 18 ft aluminum boat with a 150 that is running the right prop is not going to get "around 60". Around 50 is more like it, high 40's would be a safer bet. Sorry to read about your motor troubles and hopefully you get them solved and can go back to enjoying your boat.