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seafire,
If your Whaler is the Classic 17 hull (before 2003), then those hulls sit best with motors under around 320 lbs.
All of the 4-strokes are WAY over this weight. The boat can still handle it, it just tend to sit a little low in the rear.
The 4-strokes are quiet and all have 3-star emissions ratings, but they don't have the torque of a 2-stroke and they are HEAVY motors. The 17s really weren't designed to have the weight of the 4-strokes on the back (369lbs for Yamaha 90, 416lbs for Zuke 90, and 384lbs for Honda 90)
There is one motor that does provide everything - quiet operation, 2-stroke performance, and lighter weight AND 3-star emissions is - Evinrude's E-Tec 90 (320 lbs)
This motor has become a popular repower choice for 17 foot Whaler owners.
If emissions are not a huge concern, there are some carbed 2-strokes that are really great fits for that hull. The Yamaha 90 2-stroke is perfect and in the right weight range (261 lbs).
There is a Whaler forum that has many folks that have repowered their 17s. If you post there, you should get TONS of ideas. Probably more than you really want.
i repowered my 17 montauk w/a 90 4 stroke honda.......big mistake!!!!motor was way to heavy. boat sat low in the rear and while drifting live bait for bass took a couple of big waves over the stern due to a careless boater and motor was almost under water. bilge couldn't keep up pulled plug and bought boat up to speed to drain water. scary - Sorry, I will learn to watch my language - thought for sure motor was going to get swamped needless to say i sold the bought after that one. if you want my opinion stay with a 2 stroke. beleive me.
my uncle has late model old style mantauk, has a merc 90 4 stroke on it, way too heavy in the rear, your feet are constanty wet. it's a great boat, and the 4 strokes are all great motors, but in this case they dont' mix well IMO. The e-tec looks like a great choice.
we own a 17' w/ a 90 evinrude 2 stroke everything is fine we get about 3+mpg. On a weight to HP ratio I bet you are way ahead of the game with keeping things simple.
Don't know much (yet) about the E-Tec, but the Yamaha oil-injected 90 2-stroke is just about bullet-proof. It's been around (and improved) for many years, and they last longer than you'll own the boat. It's also the perfect match for that boat (as it is mine -- 17' Scout). Since the oil tank is under the cowl, there's no need for an external oil tank.
Good luck,
__________________ Ed P., St. Pete., FL
Scout 172 Sportfish
You can smartly put any motor you want on the back of a 17. I have a 362 lb Evinrude 75 FICHT on mine and it does not sit low in the water or any differently than the previous 90 Crossfire Johnson it used to have. A 4-stroke Yam 90 weighs I think about 20lbs more than my motor, so I don't see how this could be a problem.
To compensate for the extra weight, the battery and oil tank are under the console the fuel is under the seat. By doing this I have less total weight in the stern than an stock hookup where the battery, oil, and fuel all sit in the stern with a 300lb motor.
My trim range is also not affected. The extra weight forward in the boat helps it plane faster, and I can use the entire trim range of the motor without porpoising. I am so far very pleased with this setup.
I friend of mine is running a Suzuki 115 4-stroke on his Newport and by doing all of the above it runs and sits fine. This motor weighs in at around 420lbs.
Get what you want, and consider resale value. A used Tohatsu/Nissan*isn't worth very much in my area. Yamaha's are very hot in the resale market and if it hadn't been an extra $3500 more I would have the 90hp on my 16'7 1971 Whaler.
Also, another popular motor are the 70hp Suzi's. They seem to work very well. Though if I were looking at Suzuki I would get a Johnson 4-stroke (same motor) since there are more dealers for servicing and possibly more parts availability.
Capt. Tully Mars
__________________ Capt. Tully Mars
--------------------------------
"A keel, sails, and wood is a ship. But what a ship is....is freedom" -Capt. Jack Sparrow
We have repowered at least 6 Boston Whaler 17's with the Suzuki 70hp and it is a wonderful match of horsepower vs. weight. If you're looking for the last ounce of speed go for a 90 (the hull is rated for 100), if you just want a great all-around rig for pleasure and fishing..save some money and go for a 70 Suzuki.
Is there any online pricing for those nissan/tohatsu's?
I was at the Boston Boat show at the expo center in feb, Tohatsu guy said he can do the 90 tdli with all the gauges and controls installed for a hair under 7k. i dont know if that was an 04 or 05 motor though..wat is ur feedback guys?..is that alot?
My 17 SSL has a Honda 90. I am happy with it. The fuel tank on my boat is very far back and I have a clamshell deck on the back that adds more weight in the stern. My motor well drains are about an inch under water.
Boat planes like a rocket and tops out right at 40. I've got a 21 gallon Pate tank in the back, but I get such great mpg I don't need to keep it full. I can keep 10 gallons in the boat and run all weekend, so that makes up for a lot of weight.
I do plan on moving the battery forward, but I have never taken water over the stern.
I wouldn't replace it with a 2 stroke. Before I got this Honda I never wanted a 4 stroke, but I've been converted.
I have a 2002 90 Merc 2 stroke on my 16 Dauntless and I am very happy with the motor which is 305 pounds. I would not want any more weight than that though.
When I don't have the fire lit on the T-50 we use a 2005 90 2 stroke merc as a kicker which works mighty nicely. Shied away from the 4 stroke when I saw one at the marina with a
bow "attitude" from the weight. At cruise i get about 2.5-2.7. Also, be careful about going with a 70 as we go tubing alot here in the summer and the 90 is needed to get my fat a$$ up
and out of the water !
If I'm not mistaken, the "classic, smirked 17' hulls" had a maximum transom weight of either 410#'s or 420#'s...the number escapes me right now but I don't think anyone would sweat me for that extra 10#'s...I've been thinking about a repower myself...but my main concern is, since I'm planning to head out to the Mud Hole this year, I have a 5hp 4-stroke kicker...for both trolling and just in case. My current 90hp evinrude weighs in at about 305# plus the 55#'s for the kicker, it sits smartly in the water...if I decide to go with the new technology, the weight might be an issue...I think I'm going to wait a year or two and see what's the next advancement...hopefully lighter engines...but time will tell...
i was just looking at tohatsu.com and i think they may have discontinuted the 90 because i cant find it in their lineup..but i saw one at the boat show a month or two ago..hmmmmm
Repower of a 17' Whaler 
