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Good engines, but too much weight in my opinion for the 31 Fountain, water will back up in through the scuppers with more than one person fishing at the rear of the cockpit when at rest. I would look to stay with a 2-stroke...
No, 200's?, if fact you will probably find the DF300 to be only marginally faster than the 225 Opti's. They do have more torque and can easily run in the "just barely" planning mode where the opti's Won't. Otherwise, you won't find much too difference in performance.
The 4 stroke suzukis are excellent motors. It would be foolish to repower with 200s (unless you are getting an unbelievable deal) when the 225s or 250s are the same block/weight etc and put out considerably more power for not "that much" more money.
Definitely do some research - not on the motors - but on any 4 stroke motors on that particular hull.
Not sure about 20 4-strokes, but there were hundreds of 31 Fountains built when a pair of 200s were the largest engines available and the boats still ran mid 50s with that power. Adding 160 pounds over the Optis on that hull will bring water in the scuppers, I have seen it and done it, fill the baitwell up and you add another 400 pounds to the rear of the boat, that extra engine weight will put the scuppers under with a couple guys in the stern and give you wet feet. I have fished, ran, and repowered more 31 Fountains than I care to remember, a set of Optis are the best power to weight ratio on that boat, like I said, the Suzukis are fine engines, but that particuar hull does best with 2-strokes...
Suzukis on a Fountain? Dont get me wrong I LOVE Suzuki outboards but if you dont put Mercs on that rig I think Reggie may personally come and strangle you with a gold chain from around his neck and wrap your body in his racing jacket. Hahaha
Not sure about 20 4-strokes, but there were hundreds of 31 Fountains built when a pair of 200s were the largest engines available and the boats still ran mid 50s with that power. Adding 160 pounds over the Optis on that hull will bring water in the scuppers, I have seen it and done it, fill the baitwell up and you add another 400 pounds to the rear of the boat, that extra engine weight will put the scuppers under with a couple guys in the stern and give you wet feet. I have fished, ran, and repowered more 31 Fountains than I care to remember, a set of Optis are the best power to weight ratio on that boat, like I said, the Suzukis are fine engines, but that particuar hull does best with 2-strokes...
So you are saying you cant fish the 31 with 3 guys? I mean, were talking about 160 pounds (less the weight of the oil and tank etc)
__________________ "a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
Looking to repower a 31 ft Fountain cc. Any opinions on Suzuki 4 stokes?
Good and bad
i have zuke 250s twins on my 31 contender and i love the motors more and more everytime i take them out, i took them out this summer on a 24 hour tuna trip, ran 310 nm in 24 hours so thats 356 statue miles and the motors did not hiccup at all !!! i couldnt be happier with the motors.
Put the pingpong scuppers on it. I guess what you are saying is that with the standard motors it is almost to much stern weight? I am not doubting but how would you ever bottom fish in a boat like that if 160lbs of extra weight in the back of a boat would do this?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sundancekid
Not sure about 20 4-strokes, but there were hundreds of 31 Fountains built when a pair of 200s were the largest engines available and the boats still ran mid 50s with that power. Adding 160 pounds over the Optis on that hull will bring water in the scuppers, I have seen it and done it, fill the baitwell up and you add another 400 pounds to the rear of the boat, that extra engine weight will put the scuppers under with a couple guys in the stern and give you wet feet. I have fished, ran, and repowered more 31 Fountains than I care to remember, a set of Optis are the best power to weight ratio on that boat, like I said, the Suzukis are fine engines, but that particuar hull does best with 2-strokes...
__________________ My Suzuki 200's have tons of Torque, please no more lame talk about having to change the oil. Fish On...
Not sure about 20 4-strokes, but there were hundreds of 31 Fountains built when a pair of 200s were the largest engines available and the boats still ran mid 50s with that power. Adding 160 pounds over the Optis on that hull will bring water in the scuppers, I have seen it and done it, fill the baitwell up and you add another 400 pounds to the rear of the boat, that extra engine weight will put the scuppers under with a couple guys in the stern and give you wet feet. I have fished, ran, and repowered more 31 Fountains than I care to remember, a set of Optis are the best power to weight ratio on that boat, like I said, the Suzukis are fine engines, but that particuar hull does best with 2-strokes...
I don't understand why no one listens to guys with first hand experience.....Sundance has offered great advice on 2 and 4 stroke repowers through the past, he has repowered fountains and has experience, believe it or not, in some situations a DI 2 stroke is better than a 4 stroke.....I've been there....it changes the whole behavior of the boat.....if the boat was built around 2 strokes, stay with them....
PS: Would never run a fountain on anything but a merc.....
It works like this, with a pair of Optis, a full baitwell and three guys in the cockpit, water starts to come in, especially when two guys are on one side and only one on the other, add 160 lbs and you now have the weight of an additional person and not just in the cockpit, but the weight positioned as far aft as possible, it's simple physics and that's the way the boat is. You guys can do whatever you want, but that is my experience...
Suzuki 4 Stroke Motors 
