1996 23 repower

[Mackeral44]

So the question once again. Which engine/engines do I get and why?

I have a 1996 23 Classic with 1996 twin Johnson 150 2 strokes. It’s my new restoration project and family fun machine. I do not want to put anymore money into the current motors nor do I want to worry about fixing problems with summer coming up. The boat will be used in the bays and the gulf up to 50 miles out on good days. A lot of family cruising and fishing within 10 miles of beaches most of the time.

Option 1 is a new Yamaha F300 with mechanical controls replacing the twins. The motor is in stock 2 miles from my house with dealer service and warranties.

Option 2 is new Yamaha f150’s. Same dealer and warranties.

I have looked at Suzuki’s and Mercury’s. There is not a dealer within an hr so I’m strongly leaning towards the Yamaha. Don’t really want to start another which brand is best thread.


Are the twins too heavy to keep water off the deck when fishing?
Are the twins worth the $8,000 price difference for the same power?
Is the single gonna be enough to stay on plane loaded?
Mechanical vs Digital controls?
Is it worth $1,500 for digital if we can find one?

Any opinions and first hand experiences are greatly appreciated.

[Jjlynn]

I just picked up my boat from re power yesterday. It's an 01 23 classic, I went with twin 200 suzuki's fly by wire. I had never experienced electronic controls until yesterday and I think it is worth every penny, they are super smooth and very precise. As far as water in cockpit, I always had issues with water coming up through the scuppers with my 150 hpdi's so before the new motors went on I replaced the scuppers with gemlux duck bills and the deck drains I replaced with gemlux ball drains. The system works great, my deck is bone dry.

[Mackeral44]

Well found a Suzuki dealer 25 minutes away and they are now at the top of the list again. I have been worried about the weight but I think moving batteries to console will help. Also I have a 30 gallon auxiliary tank in the floor of the bow so that 200+ pounds up there.

Does anybody know max ho rating for the 96 23?

[Mackeral44]

What kind of #’s are you seeing with the 200’s??

[Jjlynn]

Wot got 6000 rpm 52 mph, still going through the break in and have been changing fuel water separators after anything over 4000 rpm, seems to get better runs after each filter replacement and they are spacing out more, but I have only put 6hrs on them so far. 3500 rpm 25 mph @ 4.5 mpg. I can get you better numbers once I can get her running for longer periods. I went with four blade props and have been running in the upper Chesapeake for break in

[Collin4350]

I have a 96 23 classic with twin HPDI 200's on the back and I wouldn't go any other way (except maybe inline F200's). The boat can handle the weight no problem and the added hp is worth it. I've driven 23's with a single z300 and it handles fine but takes a bit to get on a plane (3700+rpm) and doesn't have the punch the duals have.
With 120gal of fuel and 3 people I can cruise at 3500rpm 25kts burning 15gph combined, WOT 5600rpm 43kts at 25gph
I dont know much about suzuki's as yamaha's have always been my go to but twin's are really nice especially if going offshore, the redundancy is really nice.

[Squished]

Originally Posted by Jjlynn

I just picked up my boat from re power yesterday. It's an 01 23 classic, I went with twin 200 suzuki's fly by wire. I had never experienced electronic controls until yesterday and I think it is worth every penny, they are super smooth and very precise. As far as water in cockpit, I always had issues with water coming up through the scuppers with my 150 hpdi's so before the new motors went on I replaced the scuppers with gemlux duck bills and the deck drains I replaced with gemlux ball drains. The system works great, my deck is bone dry.

Same thing. Twin 200 Suzuki's on a 1999 23 Classic. Gemlux drainage system. Boat's a screamer.

[Mackeral44]

Got the motors from Sportsman Marine in Fairhope. Hank worked with me a lot and ended up beating All pricing I got from other manufacturers. Wanted to stay with the Yamaha’s if possible and they made it happen.

Boat is at Sportsman now getting motors installed, but unfortunately I won’t be back in town for a few more weeks to get it. Will post pics ASAP.

I the meantime I do have a pair of 1996 Johnson’s for sale. All rigging and controls included. $2500 for the pair. Need them gone. Both run well. Trim doesn’t work on starboard.

[Mackeral44]

New motors and decals

[Mackeral44]

More pics. First fish in the boat.