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Random Quote: Fishing is not a matter of life or death.......Its much more important than that!!!!
I'm looking at getting something more efficient than my current ride. I'm looking at cats, prowler 246. It's offered with yam/suz 4 stroke from 90 up to 175. I'm thinking yam/suz 115's would get the job done and be the most efficient. I'm looking to be able to cruise at near 28 mph and max MPGs. Top speed is not important to me. I'm afraid the 90's would underpower, or I'd go with them. Any info appreciated.
One thing to consider is that a 150 or 175 at 3000 rpms will probably be burning less than a 115 at 4800 rpms to get that 28mph cruise. Also much higher resale and safety/comfort margin for load carrying and running away from storms, and maybe even planing with a single in case one dies.
I understand the logic, and had the same idea for the hydrasport 2596 I currently have. So, I went from 2 stroke 200s to 4 stroke 250s, thinking that a larger engine would have to work less hard and use a bit less fuel to push the same boat.....................but I still have to run these (250's) engines at 3500-4000 rpms, just like the 200s, and as a result, I have an official gashog..........gettting about 1.25mpg, a bit worse than my old engines. At least they are ultra-reliable.
I would like to talk some more with some owners of the 246 who have yammi or suzi 90's or 115s.
Brad-
My World Cat 230SF is a great performer with twin F150s. From what I've read, and the people I've talked to, the 230 just did not perform as well with 115s, and most people seem to think the 150s are the perfect power for this boat.
That being said, the Prowler is lighter than the World Cat, and my guess is that it would be just adequate with the Suzuki 115s. Suzuki 140s would be great on that boat, IMO. The 140s are about 60 lbs. lighter than the Suzi 150s, and have a great reputation for reliability.
The Suzi 140 and 115 are the same weight, and I don't think the fuel economy would be any different between the two at a realistic cruising speed of 30 mph.
I would not even consider the 90hp motors if resale is any concern. The underpowered World Cats, such as the old 226 with 115's, take a real beating on resale.
FWIW, I love the Prowlers, but they're hard to find used. Something about limited production and a great reputation!
Brad. I had a Prowler 246 with Suzuki 140's. I never had a problem with them and they ran great. But if I were getting another Prowler 246 I would go with at least 150's. I now have a Prowler 306 with Suzuki 250's and they run great with no problems.
So I have no problem recomending Suzuki.
The 140's were fine but for the same reason as Cooper mentioned I would go bigger.
I saw those #'s on the website, but even some of the owners on the site that I contacted said that the mpgs listed were better than they had experienced. I'm not worried at all about resale value.......as long as it does what I need it to do, I probably will not ever sell it. I appreciate all the input from everyone.
So, if it's underpowered, what would be the limitations? For me, as long as it'll do 30 mph at cruise with 2.5mpg or better, I'd be happy.
I'm just curious how you're only getting 1.25 MPG with the 4S 250s on your current boat. I've F250s on my Pursuit 3070 and I get better than that even with the Pursuit being 4 feet longer, 1 foot wider, bottom painted, and 50% heavier.
I'm just curious how you're only getting 1.25 MPG with the 4S 250s on your current boat. I've F250s on my Pursuit 3070 and I get better than that even with the Pursuit being 4 feet longer, 1 foot wider, bottom painted, and 50% heavier.
I wish I knew. It's not like I'm running the p*ss out of it. I've taken it to a couple of dealers, they check it and say it looks to be rigged correctly. This is a heavy boat for it's size, about 6400 pds with engines, dry. If anyone has any ideas, pls tell me.
I consistently got 3 mpg + at 30-32 mph. I did not have a second station or bottom paint.
Some people don't know how to drive the boat. That could be why they are not getting as good #'s.
When I first got mine I was not getting the #'s promised or the top speed. I finally got Bill, Renaissance owner, to go out with me. He had me drive the boat then he drove it. Sure enough he got the #'s out of it. He taught me how to run it and after a few more times out on my own I get the same #'s he did.
Either way you should see 2.5 mpg with no problem.
Prowlers says the most efficient power is the Suzy 175.
115's are not enough unless you fish very close to port, and if that is the case, why worry.
Yep, my normal route is about 40 miles out and 40 back, typically logging 100mi per trip.
With this boat, I'm looking for something that'll cruise at 30mph (top spd makes no diff to me), but get 2.5mpg or so in typical conditions. When you say that 115's are not enough, I'm not sure what you mean. Will it not push the boat 30mph without running them 5000rpms?
Prowlers says the most efficient power is the Suzy 175.
115's are not enough unless you fish very close to port, and if that is the case, why worry.
Yep, my normal route is about 40 miles out and 40 back, typically logging 100mi per trip.
With this boat, I'm looking for something that'll cruise at 30mph (top spd makes no diff to me), but get 2.5mpg or so in typical conditions. When you say that 115's are not enough, I'm not sure what you mean. Will it not push the boat 30mph without running them 5000rpms?
They are now quoting a 35 mph crise with 3.2 mpg at 3500 rpms.
It's not that I dont believe you..........just asking for your source........I take it youre saying that's what they (prowlers maker) are telling people......................I'm going for a seatrial Monday with them, so we'll see what they say. I wish it was true, but I think it sounds a bit ambitious. I'll say this..........if those fuel burn #s are true, I'll be drivin' one in a few months.
I don't know what some of you are talking about. I fish the Ft. Jefferson area and put on over 200 miles with my pair of 2001 Yamaha F 115's. I also wanted to be able to cruise at 30 mph and get over 2.5 mpg. I can get over 3.0 mpg when the seas are 1-2 fully loaded. When things pick up the boat drops down depending on the seas, but I always get better than 2.5 mpg. My motors hit the 1000 hour mark some time ago. If you are ever in the Miami area give me a call and you can see for yourself. Bill built my Prowler in 2001 and I am very happy with the boat and company.
motor for renaissance prowler 246 
