In my opinion the 150 e-tec is the ideal engine for the 18 foot Hydrodyne. If you research some of our old discussions you will find that the limiting factor for pulling skiers with the 18 is not the power available, (the 150 has plenty with the proper prop). It is the pitch up of the boat when pulling big loads off the pylon, and the pylon structure itself. The small block motor has a low profile which allows a fairly short pylon which produces minimum pitch up and minimum stress to the boat structure when pulling off the pylon.. The motors are fairly light which provides a nice balance for the boat also. This allows the boat to get on plane at a very low speed. The motors are not overly sensitive on the throttle either. You wanted a post Mark, let the flaming begin. This is not a paid political announcement. jim
I am still a pretty big fan of the 200 HO (big block) E-Tec I have on mine right now. The most guys I could round up for a round of step offs so far was 5, and it pulled them all out of the hole (with a 19 pitch prop even!) on two skis each, and pulled 42 mph for the step. It was a cluster after that, so I don't know how the speed would have held. I would like to be able to try it again, this time with 6 guys and the 17 pitch. I do think having about 100 lbs less in the back would be nice, but I love the torque of the big blocks. They go when you want them to. I also recently went head to head with a friend that has a barefoot warrior, and 200 yamaha (older, about early to mid 90's I believe). And with even weight in both boats, mine jumped out of the hole quite a bit faster up to about 2 boat lengths lead, and held the lead at top end. I'm sure with a different prop, it could top out even faster, and still keep the jump out of the hole. It took putting me (driving) and 3 other guys in my boat, about 200 lb average for all 4 of us, and only the driver in the other boat, about 160 lbs, so the old yammy had a chance of keeping up out of the hole, and the top end was still even.
Are team has two 18's with 2006 Mercury 225 Optimax engines and I think they are perfect. On one of the 18's we had a Yamaha 300 and that was the biggest waste of money ever. It would not hold a speed to save it's life. The mercury's have to be the best motors we have ever had!
I have a 1979 Hydrodyne 18 with a 1979 Evinrude 200. Thinking about repowering the boat with a newer 200 or 150. Right now I have a 2001 Evinrude 200 located, or wondering if I should go with a 2007 150 e-tec. Would the weight savings of 100 pounds be worth going with the e-tec on the 18? Or stay with big block? Also Mercury made a 2.5 liter engine in the late 90's that really screamed. (200hp). Wondering what fellow 18 owners are thinking these days about repowering. The 150's today are producing some good horsepower, and I like to barefoot so I need a solid 40-42 mph without having to max out the engine all the time. Need some advice. Thanks, Jason
It depends on what you want out of the boat. The club drivers like the big blocks because they haul big loads. I like light weight engines because the boat rides flatter at low speeds and gets on plane at a lower speed. The 90's Merc 2.5's are light. I run a 1995 OMC carb 150 which weighs the same as a new 115 e-tec. It is about 40 pounds lighter than the 90's Merc 200. jim
A 150 E-tec will easily pull a footer at 45 on an 18' dyne. You will save money purchasing the smaller motor and use less gas. If you want to pull multiple footers over 40, then you will want to start thinking about bigger motors. If you are in the MN or WI area, there are plenty of ski teams that sell their motors at the end of the season. Post up what you think you are looking for or check the classifieds section here.
Jim/Forum-- What do you think about a 1997 175 Evinrude Fast Strike for the 18 ft dyne? Should be lightweight like your 150 Faststrike? I think this motor is a carb though, not efi. I want something that idles better then my 1979 200 evinrude that I have on my boat right now. The dealer is asking 3,500.00 for the motor. Thanks, Jason
The 175 Evinrude/Johnson in that year is the same weight at my 150. By the way, it is either a Johnson Fast Strike or an Evinrude. It is a carb motor. The throttle is a little touchy at low speeds from the factory. It is caused by excessive play in the controller and in the throttle linkage on the motor. If you have an issue with that, I can help you fix it. I think you will like it. Have a mechanic do a compression test and a thorough checkout for you. Does it have a speedometer pickup built into the lower unit? jim
