Center Councils Only pt2? Marlago Repower Edition
07-03-2020, 09:17 AM
#1
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Center Councils Only pt2? Marlago Repower Edition
Just upgraded from 2007 Suzuki DF250s with 1100hrs to white 2016 DF300s with 200hrs.
I just blew one of the 2007s. These engines have fragile head gaskets so my recommendation would be that if you ever over temp them, just get the head gaskets replaced. The telltale for this engine was that it ran rough and ate IACs before it milkshaked the oil, so it possibly could have been saved at this point.
These aren’t like small block Chevys, they aren’t particularly rebuildable, at a reasonable cost.
On to the new stuff. Suzuki just ran a special deal on new engines so Outboard Specialtites in pompano beach was covered up with repowers. I got a pair of take off 2016 DF300s with 216hrs at about 70% of new.
I’m not happy with the color match, but that’s pretty typical in FL now. And it will help combat vapor lock.
These 4.0L V6 as opposed to the old 3.6 DF250s. Same basic block and engine and weight.
The DF300s have a speedy lower with a low water pick up on the nose cone. They have a wide band O2 sensor integrated into the fuel system controls so that they can lean burn. They have NMEA2000 network so I was able to tie in my newer Garmin GPS and display real time NM/gallon. Best observed so far is 1.8NM/g at around 30mph.
Old top speed was about 52, but it more typically ran 50. New best so far is 55 with out much testing. These have less gear ratio than the old motors and higher redline of 6600, vs 6300. I’m only pulling 5800rpm. I used the same props, turning in. I should try less pitch but these work great otherwise. And one problem with these engines is that the noise over 5000rpms is quite unpleasant, so these are letting me have a higher cruise speed with out getting into that area.
I have my 45 gallon aux tank full right now so I need to empty it and run another speed test light load to see how it runs. I’ve had some cup and pitch added to my props in the past, but he may have went a bit overboard.
The other new feature, digital throttle and shift. This feature is amazing, super smooth and the displays indicate the shift has occurred. Between this and my serviced steering system, has transformed the boat. Makes it feel extremely responsive like a sports car, very fun.
Other stuff, had all gelcoat cracks fixed. This was surprisingly reasonable. Had the bottom of the V repaired where I had been running into the cross beam on the lift. Installed 4x12 16’ bunk boards to get the boat up higher and not hanging off the ends of the bunks.
Ive been wanting to get the bottom paint off but that was quoted at $7500. I’ll try to figure out how to do that myself in the future. So the bottom paint got refreshed too.
I just blew one of the 2007s. These engines have fragile head gaskets so my recommendation would be that if you ever over temp them, just get the head gaskets replaced. The telltale for this engine was that it ran rough and ate IACs before it milkshaked the oil, so it possibly could have been saved at this point.
These aren’t like small block Chevys, they aren’t particularly rebuildable, at a reasonable cost.
On to the new stuff. Suzuki just ran a special deal on new engines so Outboard Specialtites in pompano beach was covered up with repowers. I got a pair of take off 2016 DF300s with 216hrs at about 70% of new.
I’m not happy with the color match, but that’s pretty typical in FL now. And it will help combat vapor lock.
These 4.0L V6 as opposed to the old 3.6 DF250s. Same basic block and engine and weight.
The DF300s have a speedy lower with a low water pick up on the nose cone. They have a wide band O2 sensor integrated into the fuel system controls so that they can lean burn. They have NMEA2000 network so I was able to tie in my newer Garmin GPS and display real time NM/gallon. Best observed so far is 1.8NM/g at around 30mph.
Old top speed was about 52, but it more typically ran 50. New best so far is 55 with out much testing. These have less gear ratio than the old motors and higher redline of 6600, vs 6300. I’m only pulling 5800rpm. I used the same props, turning in. I should try less pitch but these work great otherwise. And one problem with these engines is that the noise over 5000rpms is quite unpleasant, so these are letting me have a higher cruise speed with out getting into that area.
I have my 45 gallon aux tank full right now so I need to empty it and run another speed test light load to see how it runs. I’ve had some cup and pitch added to my props in the past, but he may have went a bit overboard.
The other new feature, digital throttle and shift. This feature is amazing, super smooth and the displays indicate the shift has occurred. Between this and my serviced steering system, has transformed the boat. Makes it feel extremely responsive like a sports car, very fun.
Other stuff, had all gelcoat cracks fixed. This was surprisingly reasonable. Had the bottom of the V repaired where I had been running into the cross beam on the lift. Installed 4x12 16’ bunk boards to get the boat up higher and not hanging off the ends of the bunks.
Ive been wanting to get the bottom paint off but that was quoted at $7500. I’ll try to figure out how to do that myself in the future. So the bottom paint got refreshed too.
Last edited by hogie roll; 07-03-2020 at 09:27 AM. Reason: Photos
The following 6 users liked this post by hogie roll:
CT River Baja (07-03-2020), larslindroth (07-05-2020), noli (07-03-2020), rak rua (07-03-2020), speicher lane (07-03-2020), TomZ (08-18-2022)
07-03-2020, 04:07 PM
#2
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Good write-up of your project and Nice re power for reliability - ENJOY....
.BTW "console"
.BTW "console"
The following 2 users liked this post by speicher lane:
hogie roll (07-03-2020), madbouyz (07-12-2020)
07-03-2020, 06:57 PM
#3
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FYI, I have been informed the Suzuki’s are good motors as long as you keep up with changing the zincs on them for corrosion protection. They are getting very popular here in the Keys.
The following 3 users liked this post by sonicss42:
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SB (08-17-2022)
07-03-2020, 08:50 PM
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lol... I thought it was an overactive auto- correct... Enjoy your 4th!
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hogie roll (07-03-2020)
07-11-2020, 09:48 AM
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56.8 mph light load. In hot crappy air. Only pulling 6000rpm
Next up is to try turning in, which is as simple as swapping the props and finding a switch under the cowl to flip.
Im also interested in trying some bravos. Any guess what pitch I should try to pull 60 at 6300? 20, 21, 22?
But first I’m off to LOTO for the week to play with the formula and maybe buy a place.
Next up is to try turning in, which is as simple as swapping the props and finding a switch under the cowl to flip.
Im also interested in trying some bravos. Any guess what pitch I should try to pull 60 at 6300? 20, 21, 22?
But first I’m off to LOTO for the week to play with the formula and maybe buy a place.
Last edited by hogie roll; 07-11-2020 at 09:54 AM.
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larslindroth (07-11-2020)
08-21-2020, 03:27 PM
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Thread Starter
Props polished and turning in. 58.9 mph at 6000ish or a touch over.
Maybe in cool weather and on fumes I can pull it to 60.
just had to switch a resistor side to side under the cowlings to switch rotation.
08-17-2022, 07:03 PM
#9
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Thread Starter
Major refit updates, makin everything perfect.
Finally pulled the trigger on some tower speaker, nice to be able to hear when I’m behind the boat swimming or at the sandbar.
Pulling wire was a bear due to button screws protruding into my radar arch. Some stiffer 4ga battery cable worked well as a fish tape.
These are on zone 2 of my 4 channel fusion amp. The lower 4 7.7s down in the boat, and the subs are in zone 1. Easy to adjust them independently, as you don’t want these cranking in your face while cruising.
I had to replace the fusion msra70 head unit as my sub zone outputs were dead. Covid build shipped with out a microchip? Who knows.
installed a plug because my anchor light has to get unplugged every time you take off the canvas top to tune it up
Had a 10” Rockford fosgate sub blow. Replaced with Kicker solo barics. Figured out that the face of one of these sealed boxes isn’t very flat and wasn’t sealing well against the sub. Probably contributed to failure.
Also blew a wetsounds 6.5” on this vigorous DJ session. Those got replaced with fusion 7.7s.
Total count now is
Fusion 4ch 1400w SGDA41400
4 Fusion 7.7s on 2 channels,110wrms ea.
2 8.8 Fusion tower speakers w 150wrms ea at 4 ohm
Kicker 1200.1 DX 1400+ at 14V tested
2x Kicker 10” L7R dual 2 ohm in 0.8cu ft sealed boxes constructed of 3/4” marine lumber hpde I believe
Finally got this stereo close to perfect! Sounds awesome and has far better bass than all but the wildest boats, while having a minimal footprint in the boat.
I still kind of want to built prettier boxes but haven’t figured out yet the best way to machine the faces into facsimiles of the cabinet doors next to them.
Finally pulled the trigger on some tower speaker, nice to be able to hear when I’m behind the boat swimming or at the sandbar.
Pulling wire was a bear due to button screws protruding into my radar arch. Some stiffer 4ga battery cable worked well as a fish tape.
These are on zone 2 of my 4 channel fusion amp. The lower 4 7.7s down in the boat, and the subs are in zone 1. Easy to adjust them independently, as you don’t want these cranking in your face while cruising.
I had to replace the fusion msra70 head unit as my sub zone outputs were dead. Covid build shipped with out a microchip? Who knows.
installed a plug because my anchor light has to get unplugged every time you take off the canvas top to tune it up
Had a 10” Rockford fosgate sub blow. Replaced with Kicker solo barics. Figured out that the face of one of these sealed boxes isn’t very flat and wasn’t sealing well against the sub. Probably contributed to failure.
Also blew a wetsounds 6.5” on this vigorous DJ session. Those got replaced with fusion 7.7s.
Total count now is
Fusion 4ch 1400w SGDA41400
4 Fusion 7.7s on 2 channels,110wrms ea.
2 8.8 Fusion tower speakers w 150wrms ea at 4 ohm
Kicker 1200.1 DX 1400+ at 14V tested
2x Kicker 10” L7R dual 2 ohm in 0.8cu ft sealed boxes constructed of 3/4” marine lumber hpde I believe
Finally got this stereo close to perfect! Sounds awesome and has far better bass than all but the wildest boats, while having a minimal footprint in the boat.
I still kind of want to built prettier boxes but haven’t figured out yet the best way to machine the faces into facsimiles of the cabinet doors next to them.
08-17-2022, 07:14 PM
#10
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Thread Starter
On to some boring stuff. Sorry no supercharged big blocks in this thread.
Learned a nice easy method for fixing blown out screw holes with bamboo skewers or toothpicks and 2 part epoxy. Fixed every screw that had been bothering me.
Low water pick up grate melted! Not sure why.
There was also unfortunately unplanned 2 full lower units rebuilds recently.
Old radio was badly sun faded. Found a NOS unit on eBay! What a score. All the new units were bigger and quite expensive. They do have a gps position sos function though, so I’m forgoing some measure of safety I guess.
Im still loath to cutting on the formerly most expensive thing I had ever purchased (foreshadowing). Hence speaker boxes that fit in cabinet holes.
These latches were cracking. I remembered finding them online at one point. Now I can’t! Had to get a welder to repair.
Replaced every weatherstrip and rusty gas shock, yawn 🥱
Learned a nice easy method for fixing blown out screw holes with bamboo skewers or toothpicks and 2 part epoxy. Fixed every screw that had been bothering me.
Low water pick up grate melted! Not sure why.
There was also unfortunately unplanned 2 full lower units rebuilds recently.
Old radio was badly sun faded. Found a NOS unit on eBay! What a score. All the new units were bigger and quite expensive. They do have a gps position sos function though, so I’m forgoing some measure of safety I guess.
Im still loath to cutting on the formerly most expensive thing I had ever purchased (foreshadowing). Hence speaker boxes that fit in cabinet holes.
These latches were cracking. I remembered finding them online at one point. Now I can’t! Had to get a welder to repair.
Replaced every weatherstrip and rusty gas shock, yawn 🥱
Last edited by hogie roll; 08-17-2022 at 07:18 PM.
