Repower question

[jzumi]

My boat partner and I feel that it is time to repower our 2005 2520xl. The current motor is a Yamaha F250 that is now 20 years old and has 3000 hours. We were intending to repower with essentially the same motor but brand new, and to switch to new controls to take advantage of some of the modern benefits.

When I contacted the shop, they urged us to consider hooking up the new motor to the existing controls, pointing out that if a cable were to fail you could still operate from the motor end to get you home. Versus you have little recourse if the digital system fails while out to sea.

So the question is: How reliable have you found the digital control system to be?

Thanks in advance for any insights you share.

John

 

[warthog5]

In Suzuki...I haven't heard of any problems.

It at first sounds like a copout to doing rigging work....by the dealer..
But I "Think" and haven't done the research.... That they are trying to sell you / dump inventory of a non Fly by wire engine. Furthermore...... I would not want the 20yr old controls ..... Trim sending switch and shift cables are the moving parts that are 20yrs old.

My $.02.

 

[SaltCreek Chris]

I would highly recommend fly by wire. I was in a similar situation during my rebuild switching from an 06 Yam 250 to my current Suz DF300. The odds that an engine cable fails would be the same as a fuel line chafing or hydraulic line failing. If your engine rigging is installed properly the reliability is the same if not better than a cable system as is has no moving parts.

Operating a fly by wire throttle control is so much smoother than cable style controls, and the ability to set the motor in "trolling mode" and make 50 RPM increment adjustments is super convenient.

In my opinion a fly by wire engine would also add value to your boat. If you were to ever list the boat for sale fly by wire controls would be more appealing at least to me over a similar boat with cable controls. If you have another Yamaha dealer in the area I'd get a second quote/ opinion. What they are saying doesn't make sense to me. If you're not dead set on another Yamaha I would entertain a quote from a Suzuki dealer as well. I paid less for my Suzuki 300 with digital controls, gauges, stainless prop, and additional 2 years of warranty than what Yamaha would offer for their non-fly by wire 300 without gauges or a prop.

Both brands have served me well, but I would recommend fly by wire with whatever you repower with.

 

[Andy]

My boat partner and I feel that it is time to repower our 2005 2520xl. The current motor is a Yamaha F250 that is now 20 years old and has 3000 hours. We were intending to repower with essentially the same motor but brand new, and to switch to new controls to take advantage of some of the modern benefits.

When I contacted the shop, they urged us to consider hooking up the new motor to the existing controls, pointing out that if a cable were to fail you could still operate from the motor end to get you home. Versus you have little recourse if the digital system fails while out to sea.

So the question is: How reliable have you found the digital control system to be?

Thanks in advance for any insights you share.

John

Go with a new system, with fly-by-wire; they are super reliable and super-smooth to control. Our 2014, 300 Yamaha with fbw has been flawless, now into the 11th year of operation.

 

[Puck-n-Fish]

No regrets. Once you have fly-by-wire you will understand that the difference is night and day.