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Random Quote: I don't sweat the petty things, I just pet the sweaty things......
This fall I plan on buying a new Parker 18'. The standard package is with a 115HP but the max is a 140. Question is, what will the additional 25 ponies give me? Are they worth it?
I have an 89 Parker 18, with an 89 evinrude. The boat hits the high 40's no problem. I suspect is 115 is fine, but the 140 proves its worth with a full load. I also ski and tube with the boat, and the xtra hp seems to come in handy.
If the evinrude ever kicks the bucket, I plan on repowering with a 150 2 stroke for what its worth.
If your in the annapolis md area, be happy to take you out for s spin. not the same boat as a new Parker, but might give you a sense of the power.
Thanks guys
That is basically what I expected to hear. One more question though if I may... how is the extra weight of a 140 going to effect the boat? Sorry for the dumb question but this will be my first boat.
I would look at the new Yamaha 150 4-Stroke. I have yet to see anyone on the THT forum complain that thier boat runs too fast. Be sure to check with Parker - make sure that the 18 has been tested with the new motor. The 4-Strokes are a bit heavier than the OX or HPDI and you want to make sure that scuppers train properly, etc. with the extra transom weight.
First, the new Parker 18s are only rated to 140, so forget the 150.
Second, the 140 weighs the same as the 115--same block, just tweaked for higher performance.
So, there is really no rason not to get the 140 except for the extra $1000 you will be shelling out.
AS for weight on the transom, it can make a huge difference in how the boat will ride. I repowered my older parker 18' from an older, lighter 2 stroke to a newer heavier 4 stroke and teh boat rides and handles COMPLETELY differently now. I'm about 40-50 hours into it and it is still taking some getting used to to find the sweet spots and right trim and all. Food for thought....
I have a 2001 Parker 1801 with the Yamaha f115 on it. I think that this is plenty of power, and the gas consumption is minimal. I fish my boat with one or two others on board in Block Island Sound and I haven't had any power problems. In my opinion I would recommend hat you get the F115. If you want to spend more money, consider putting trim tabs on her.
Ditto to what Tommed said. I have the 2003 1801 with a fuel-injected Yamaha F-115 (4-stroke). I am totally happy with this package especially when I go to fuel up, which is not often, I might add. My top end speed is 39mph spinning a 13X17 prop. Unless you plan on towing a skier or tube, save your money on the 140. Tabs would be nice, but not a necessity. You will love the Paker boat...
115 is plenty, and allows you to stay four
cylindered....the four cylinder technology
seems much further along than the v6s...the
v4 yamaha (i hate `em) 115 i spent a lot of
time on was the damndest smoothest, QUIETEST
thing i ever saw....his 115 v4 was quieter with
the cowl OFF than my johnson 90 with the cowl
ON!....the yamaha v6 is much louder, heavier,
and thirstier....i believe your real tough
choice should be CYCLES, NOT CYLINDERS....dan
My opinion is that having a boat with max HP is the best way to go if the funds are there to pay for it. If you want to run a little harder to get somewhere in a hurry the HP is there. If you want to take it easy, you back off the throttle.
The fuel theory does not hold true because you don't need to run the larger motor as hard to achieve the same speed thereby resulting in equal, or better, fuel economy. You can see this in all the various performance test on the yamaha website.
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Fishin-Fanatic
Get In! Sit Down! Shut Up! Hold On!
No offense fishin-fanatic, but your merc 125 most definitely is not a four stroke, there is no comparison when it comes to mileage between the 4 and 2 stroke motors, no matter how you try to compare horsepower (as long as they are reasonably close). I have owned many of the 2 stroke versions and both have their advantages, but all things considered, when it comes to 2 stroke engines, mileage is not one of them... Just my opinion...
How Much HP for a New Parker 18??? 
