evinrude 115 on a 5.4SR

[no excuses]

looking at a Evinrude 115 which weights in at 300#s, I haul a lot of weight, usually 3-4 divers and gear with two sets of tanks. Think this would be good motor size or just stick with the standered 90. I would just change stickers or get a different hood for insurance. How would my fuel economy be between the two when loaded lightly if I kep my foot out of it and dont run it at WOT a lot? thanks stan..

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by no excuses

looking at a Evinrude 115 which weights in at 300#s, I haul a lot of weight, usually 3-4 divers and gear with two sets of tanks. Think this would be good motor size or just stick with the standered 90. I would just change stickers or get a different hood for insurance. How would my fuel economy be between the two when loaded lightly if I kep my foot out of it and dont run it at WOT a lot? thanks stan..

For what it's worth it's probably quite a nice engine to have on there (I quite fancy a 115 Opti on mine)-but if you think you can pull the wool over the authorities eyes you're sorely mistaken as the HP is linked to the engine number and on the transom clamp too.

I wouldn't do it in the USA. If you have any kind of accident you'll be able to drive a car through the hole in your wallet after the shafting it'll get. Stick with a 90.

[dsteding]

Be careful about too much weight on the back of a RIB. My Avon Adventurer 5.6D's 115 Yami cratered at 8 years, perhaps because a long shaft on that leads to the oil pan being in the water a fair amount-exposing it to more corrosion than usual.

A 90 for a Searider is plenty, I'd think. We talked about this on NWDC, the Searider is a smaller boat than my Adventurer 5.6D.

If you want more punch to get on plane, think about a two stroke.

[no excuses]

Originally Posted by dsteding

Be careful about too much weight on the back of a RIB. My Avon Adventurer 5.6D's 115 Yami cratered at 8 years, perhaps because a long shaft on that leads to the oil pan being in the water a fair amount-exposing it to more corrosion than usual.

A 90 for a Searider is plenty, I'd think. We talked about this on NWDC, the Searider is a smaller boat than my Adventurer 5.6D.

If you want more punch to get on plane, think about a two stroke.

yeh it would be a two stroke, as for weight its the same motor between the 85-140 for the most part. Will just stick with a 90 but would like to have the extra power for hauling the loads.

[captnjack]

HP recommendations do not have the force of law here in the States. That said a 90 is plenty and saves some weight. I would go with a a fuel injected 2 stroke, it will save you considerable fuel over a carbureated model and you save weight that way too.

[tonka]

i had a 5.4 sr years ago and had a 115hp merc straight six fitted really fast also used it for diving ,never had problems with the weight on the transom either,

[BruceB]

HP recommendations have no weight in law here either. Where you come unstuck is when the insurance company will not pay out or an argument is used that overpowering contributed to the accident.
One of my friends has done the "hood" thing and personally I think he's nuts, why pay the insurance if when you need it they tell you to get stuffed?

[GordyP]

I run two Ficht 115's and get a consumption of 12-14 gallons an hour in total, thats with an average of 6 divers and kit at about 4000 revs. If thats any help!