How Fast Does a 90 HP Evinrude Go?

[@scottheywood6502]

My father had a 1987 Johnson 88 SPL. The SPL engines were designed mostly for "commercial use" in that they were economical & meant to run all day long and with basic maintenance would last many years. Some lakes banned engines 90hp and above for environmental or other reasons; Similarly, that's why the 9.9hp engines weren't "10hp". The SPL engines didn't have the fancy new & standard VRO (Variable Ratio Oil) injection that came on the conventional 90hp versions and so used mixed gas & oil at 50:1. The oil injection system was really designed to reduce pollution by reducing or increasing the amount of oil burned at varying RPMs - supposedly down to 100:1 or less at idle or very slow troll. The oil pumps apparently had some challenges and more than a few engines died when the pump failed (or maybe the driver forgot to check the oil level). Many people have removed the VRO system and just mix their oil and gas to avoid potential disaster. The SPL engines also didn't come (standard) with power tilt & trim. In 1987 this was an option that cost an extra $900 (in Canada). My understanding is that the lower unit in the SPL engines was the same as on the V6 150hp and up which meant a larger drive and prop shaft and larger propeller. Interestingly, around 1986 power was no longer being measured at the flywheel (as it had been for all previous years). Instead, horsepower was now being measured at the prop shaft which meant the new engines had more power than the older engines as the measurement was at the final drive. Supposedly the SPL engines were underrated and produced 10-15% more power than what the factory stated. I was a fishing guide on the French River / Georgian Bay region in Ontario, Canada in the 1970s and 1980s and have always been interested in boats.

[@danberry3417]

Great Comment/Info 👍

[@JamesYoung61]

I don't know where to start about going fast in speedboats, but first off getting the correct pitch propeller for you outboard/boat combination is vital, while remembering the the manufacturer is going to supply the cheapest (aluminium) low pitch (low gear) propeller that will work in the widest applications. Secondly when you have the correct prop on the boat to make the most of it you trim down to take or run slowly, but when you want to go fast and you are on the plane over 20 you trim the outboard up, this pushes the stern down and the bow up, when the bow goes up at speed the water line goes back and there is less boat in the water so you go faster, go and talk to the local fast bass boat guys they know all this stuff in detail and you can blame it on me a YT viewer. I used to race Class 1 offshore back in the day, 110 in a 40 footer, hell yeah brother.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi James. It sounds like you've had some fun in a boat. If you raced boats, I bet you have this down to a science. I'm sure my motor could use a better prop. I did have the trim dialed in to its fastest speed. I'm no expert, but I raise the trim while at full power and watch the speed. It steadily increases until it hits its maximum speed then starts to decrease again. My fishing boat doesn't see fast speeds very often. 95% of the time the trolling motor does all the work. I was just having a little fun.

[@fatherandsonsfishing]

My dad used to work on these motors and Evinrude calls this an 88 Special because it's designed so that when you are on plane the bow is raised slightly more than normal, thus modifying the air flow vectors and making it less likely that your Cheetos wrappers will fly out of the boat.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

For a moment there I really thought you knew what you were talking about. Then I got a good laugh, then I wondered if you were right again...

[@fatherandsonsfishing]

@@GoMidwestFishing I’m TOTALLY right, Rande! Try it the next time you rev that engine up - Reggie might go flying, but those Cheetos wrappers will stay in the boat! Virgin Atlantic is working on something similar so that when they start flying people to space, everyone can crack open the windows halfway like you can on a school bus.

[@larrymagill2231]

I started laughing as soon as I started reading 🤣🤣

[@jgringo5516]

Had a 88 hp 1993 SPL on a bassboat I bought new In ‘93. SPL was a more affordable motor without the oil injection. Loved it. Just push in the key to choke initial start of day and off ya go. Ran Seafoam in the fuel tank every couple tanks, and had zero problems with it for the 6 years I owned. Wish I had never sold it-like every other boat and truck since then.

[@Canaltemporariooficial]

greetings to lovers of the art of fishing !! a super hug here from BRAZIL !!

[@danberry3417]

Ran a 1991 90 vro on a 1991 Princecraft 196 from 1991 until 2017 with just over 3k hours 39/40 mph upcurrent, 41-43 mph down current on the St. Lawrence River. In that time one power pack replacement and impeller/plugs That 90 had the most varied conditions from Wide Open Throttle trips, I'd run that boat 90%throttle everywhere then me, my Dad and my Uncle would take it up to lake ontario and troll for 6/7 hours, basically wash rinse and repeat that kind of cycle for 26 years of service life. An impressive engine in my opinion. Repowered to a 2017 G1 135 H.O. and it definitely picked up speed, it will run an honest 50mph on GPS and 51 if you hold your tongue the right way, better on fuel and consumes less oil, we have slowed down in our boating frequency and have just under 400 hours on the 135, it's been back to the dealer for a faulty temp sensor issue and put me into limp mode making for a long ass drive back to the ramp, Time will tell if this engine has the longevity of the old 90 Your mileage may vary Dan.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking of replacing the Evinrude, but then realized that this thing just keeps going with very little maintenance, so that would be silly. I will run it until it dies.

[@danberry3417]

Can't go wrong either way, I'd keep the v4 if she's running well. Now prices of 135 h.o.'s coming down it may be worth it for you. Currently there is a seller on Kijii who has multiple 135s with low hours for 7k each.

[@pj3250]

I was told that the special motors were a budget motor to help compete with some other manufacturers

[@fredfields7281]

I had a mid 80's monarch 17ft center console fiberglass boat with an evinrude 88 spl. That boat flew with that motor. Mid to hi 40's and it never gave me a day.of trouble.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Wow, that is moving pretty fast! This motor seems bulletproof. It always runs for me as well.

[@ct1762]

OMC mechanic here. Some explanations for the 88special v. the 90 horse are hilarious especially the one about gearing! As mentioned, same exact powerhead as the 90hp (1986-1990 or so), gearcase, mounts etc. but the "special" part was the option to not have power trim, and no VRO/OMS pump, thus a lower price point. but again, same motor as the bells and whistles versions.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi RI Outboards. Thanks for that thorough explanation. Mine does have power trim (thanks goodness), but does lack the VRO pump. Its nice to hear from an actual mechanic.

[@ericbailey1117]

Yulp they are great motors for its time an still to have 1980s motor still have 120 comp..all cyl.cylinder.. that's because no vro pump go bad don't need vro just mix yourself then u no your good I have 150 ocean pro on 20ft walk-around I deleted the vro I just don't trust them by time alarm go off to late at least one cylinder got 🔥

[@ct1762]

@@ericbailey1117 lol "1 cylinder got roasted" is NOT an OMS pump failure. might want to go read how the pump works before commenting stuff you dont know about. but agree on how reliable they are.

[@ct1762]

@@ericbailey1117 no lol. VRO/OMS failures are extremely rare. More likely water gets in the tank and settles on the bottom, then a sloppy owner blames everything on the oil pump. Also, can you explain how one cylinder would get burned up and not all the others if the pump failed?

[@scot7619]

Nice video. My 88 '94 88 SPL runs just about the same, +/- 2mph depending on weather. Used to be propped incorrectly and would only get up to 21 - put a PowerTech 4 blade on it and now hitting this on avg.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Awesome. That's for the info. Are you also running it on an 18 foot boat?

[@scot7619]

@@GoMidwestFishing 1988 Dargel Skooter 16', 99% saltwater.

[@ericbailey1117]

It's just a commercial motor they were intentionally made without the vro pump and no tilt and make them a lighter motor easier to work on less things to break they are very reliable Motors the best motor I've ever bought

[@f.acatfish9077]

That was so awesome my Man! Considering the size and weight of the boat that is fast I think, you know I don’t know nothing about boats, I have no idea what special means. :)

[@GoMidwestFishing]

This was a fun video to make. I might do more of these. I'm sure I'll eventually figure out why its special. Thanks Fernando.

[@donk499]

The 88SPL is a 90hp. Just a less expensive version with no oil injection or fancy water cooling regulator. These engines had the old style mid section and did not come with power trim and tilt. These are great engines...

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for the info. Mine's still running strong. It has tilt/trim so I'm guessing someone added it on at some point.

[@donk499]

@@GoMidwestFishing Yes, it was most likely added as an accessory...

[@dsciarrino3663]

The best money can buy 👌

[@rhornwhitside2068]

So from around the mid 60's or so Evinrude made different outboards that were all built 2 hp below the normal. These were done so to call attention to they were different. Different because they were a little lower geared to better at skiing than the normal fishing motors.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

That's really interesting. I haven't heard that info yet. Most people are saying its because this motor doesn't have oil injection. I will have to do some research on that. Thanks for the info.

[@davevelez9735]

I have 1990 Johnson 90hp 2 stroke takes my 16ft bass boat 42MPG

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

[@ericbailey1117]

My 88 on 15ft trihull I go 41 88 is a 90 with out vro pump an no tilt trim they were made for commercial fisherman

[@rcflyersfrommn2548]

I have a 1989 StarCraft SMF180 dual council with 1989 Johnson 90hp with a 17 pitch prop I can get the boat up to 37 mph with three guys in the boat. With just me I can get it up to 39 mph. If air put on the 19 pitch prop I can get it over 40 mph

[@GoMidwestFishing]

That's awesome. I love hearing how other boats compare. So far, everyone seems to get at least 30mph or better from their 90HP motors.

[@woytowichb]

88 SPL was the same as the 90 HP but didn’t have VRO. Makes the same HP as the 90 HP (both make the same HP, but they are allowed to put slightly different numbers on them as they are both within the allowable tolerances of actual HP measurement - manufacturers are allowed to label their motors within +/- 10% of actual HP produced, per BIA horsepower rating standards). In short, same motor as the 90 HP, but without VRO, and makes exactly the same power, despite the different number on the cowl.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi Brian. That's really interesting. I was talking to a guy at a boat show, and he mentioned the +/- 10% thing. I appreciate the info.

[@ct1762]

and the option to not have power trim. other than that, spot on!

[@wayne3340]

What made the '88 special was that it was specially built to make 90 hp.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Haha, great answer.

[@MTRelaxation67]

this video is so good thank you very much

[@russguillory1642]

You need to trim up. You will get more speed. The “spl” was due to removing the oil injection.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for the info. I had it trimmed up as far up as it could go without coming out of the water.

[@jvfd0901]

I have the same motor on my 96 hydrosport fish and ski with me the wife 2 kids 2 batteries a full 12.5 gallon fuel cell and cooler of ice wide open and trimed just right she will 37 mph and thats with a beat up aluminum prop

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Dang, that's fast. I had to laugh at the "beat up aluminum prop." I bet it looks just like my beat up aluminum prop.

[@ericbailey1117]

First start of the season fresh fuel fresh spark plugs give it a little throttle choke it for 10 seconds then turn the key she fired right up

[@chickshd]

From what I understand, it's actually a 100hp motor. They put the 88hp on their for only one reason. Regulations. Many lakes have a below 90hp motor regulation.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks HD 111. I've learned that manufacturers only have to be within 10% of what they say the HP is, so that could be correct. Most people here agree that it is a 90 HP engine without the VRO.

[@chrisacd5895]

Its special because its missing a few bits but it goes quiet well.

[@deftond79]

I have the 88spl on a 1990 sunbird spl170 17 foot boat. With full gas and 4 people I can hit 35mph. I have once had it to 37. I think with a certain prop you can get more top speed but slower out of the hole speed onto plane. On my boat my trim only works if Im going slow..so if Im cruising I trim it down and leave it badically unless I am in shallow water etc.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for the stats. So far everyone has been getting a little more speed than I did. My boat is very heavy which is probably what's slowing me down.

[@deftond79]

@@GoMidwestFishing Ya man, the prop can have a lot to do with it as well. Out of the hole speed vs top speed

[@fabianbird4584]

If play with timer and tuning would gang more than 2hp

[@Daniel-fe1uj]

My buddies dad was a boat mechanic when I was 16 years old and he had a blue Evinrude 88 special don’t know the year but he board it out and put it on a 21 foot Boston whaler and we were going 64 to 68 mph! Funny story, one guy was beating the shit out of his own boat, because we were beating him in a race. He tried to suck us into his wake , and he did not know that our boat was faster than his, and he had two motors on his boat but yeah it goes 60 to 68 mph and 88 special I’ll bet my right hand on it

[@GoMidwestFishing]

He must have done some major mods on that motor to go that fast! Its always fun to win the race. Thanks Daniel.

[@Daniel-fe1uj]

@@GoMidwestFishing it was the flats Boat I don’t know if that has something to do with it too. And yes, it was very very heavily modified. He’s a boat mechanic so and that was his little project boat for the kids and himself.

[@walleyebass]

Moves pretty good 👍

[@GoMidwestFishing]

If it went any faster I would probably get myself in trouble, so I'm happy with it for now. Thanks Kevin.

[@user-lg1qo8wi2m]

Wow😁💖🍒 Very great video Hello, my dear friend Thanks for sharing🎁👍 Have a wonderful day🍎🍒🍊😁💖💖

[@michaelstarr5861]

The special thing about the 88 SPL: No oil injection. Saves weight for racin', eh?

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Haha, the only race I'm in is getting to the fishing spot first. I did sell another 90 horse to a guy who didn't even want to see it run. He said all he wanted was the powerhead for his racing boat. It must be a popular motor for that. Thanks Michael for stopping by.

[@ericbailey1117]

I run a 15 ft Tri Hull with a 17 pitch wide open throttle 41 with a 19 pitch I was hitting 4445 mph

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi Eric. Wow, that's fast! Mine has a tilt/trim, so I'm wondering if someone added it, or if some came with it?

[@chickshd]

Yep, got the same setup with a 15ft VIP tri-hull boat. Was getting the same speed, with the same 19 pitch prop. But to be honest, I had to slow down, thought I was going to flip. LOL

[@Vinny-dj9jm]

Evinrude is King 👑

[@SarasotaBayOMC]

It didnt have a vro pump and i think it was the commercial version. Idk i heard that somewhere

[@GoMidwestFishing]

That seems to be what everyone is saying. You still have to mix the gas, which is fine with me.

[@SQLKC]

I have a 90 on a 20 foot pontoon and the best I can get is 22 and you see the gas hand move left as you drive it.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi Mark. Thanks for the info. 22 is pretty good for a pontoon. Its interesting to see how it performs on different boats. Someone aid they got over 40 mph on a lighter boat.

[@shisuiuchiha399]

Do you have a 4 blade prop or 3?

[@SQLKC]

@@shisuiuchiha399 3 blade

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Pre mix. And maybe a smaller charging system

[@dustin9035]

Wow so fast

[@froggerman44]

The special does not have the vro oil injection unit on it, it’s pre mix

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for the info!

[@Gluttonousbeastofbeasts]

special is with out the automatic oil pump

[@tomd.3082]

I'm running a 17' Sea Hunt CC with a Johnson 90 SPL 2 stroke. Trimmed just right at WOT I'm seeing 37 mph and it's pretty much just prop in the water. What's scarier? The boat is rated for 135 hp

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Oh wow! That is fast. I think 32mph is the best I've ever done. Thanks for the info.

[@HuntingFarmerOfficial]

You should try it again without Reggie in the boat…probably hit 40mph then!!! 😂 Sorry Reggie, I couldn’t help myself 😁

[@GoMidwestFishing]

I'm not sure I ever drove my boat without Reggie in it. Next time I will kick him out and try it again.

[@jimster57727]

22.5 inch mid section

[@FrankM812]

What prop are you running? Building a Grumman 16 super with a Johnson 90 and trying to pick a prop to start with.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

I wish I knew. Its an aluminum prop with a few dings in it. I bought this boat off craigslist a few years ago, and it still has the same equipment I bought it with. I'm sure my boat is a lot heavier than yours, so you might need a different one anyway. Good luck with the boat build.

[@kenhotaling7050]

Was I the only one yelling at the video, "trim up! trim up!"

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Don't worry, it was trimmed up as much as it would go before coming out of the water.

[@kenhotaling7050]

​@@GoMidwestFishingThe bow was barely out of the water though....

[@frankyoung5298]

The 90 hp has oil injection ehich gives it extra 2hp

[@josztroutfishingdiary7350]

Cool!

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for watching Joe.

[@froggerman44]

Trim it up a little, it looks like it’s plowing a bit.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi Jim, I had it trimmed up as far as it would go without sucking air. When I repaired the transom, I had to move the motor up one notch, which helped it gain speed, but now it comes out of the water sooner.

[@hasseegelundnielsen2405]

if you moved the weight back it would go faster couse the trim om the boat is totally wrong

[@dereksuperstrong1210]

It’s a non-VRO motor so the 90 horse came with the VRO… The 88 came you mix your on fuel

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Thanks for the info. That seems to be the consensus on here. I still like mixing my own gas. That way I know its getting oil.

[@shadboy]

Gosh I thought it would go at least 35 or more ???

[@GoMidwestFishing]

I'm sure it would go much faster on a 16 foot boat. I have a very heavy boat.

[@SlayermikeFishingandMORE]

Faster, faster, faster!

[@GoMidwestFishing]

You weren't saying that when you were in the front of the boat.

[@SlayermikeFishingandMORE]

@@GoMidwestFishing the day of the snowsuit? lol I didnt want to swim lol

[@GoMidwestFishing]

@@SlayermikeFishingandMORE Yep, that day.

[@WesLovelace]

Rande it's still a 90HP 2 stroker.....Without the oil injection pump and you should be glad you pre-mix.....The pump was a $600.00 add on that was a piece of junk.....Is it any wonder Evinrude went out of business last year after being bought by Bombardier!!

[@GoMidwestFishing]

I will say the newer motors look nice, but this old one of mine just keeps running, so I think I will keep it a little longer.

[@WesLovelace]

@@GoMidwestFishing I had a 2000 70 HP with the oil injector but in 2018 decided I was fed up with pump so I bought a new 70 HP Yamaha 4 stroke....Reel glad I did!!

[@GoMidwestFishing]

@@WesLovelace My 1995 Evinrude is the newest motor I've ever owned. Maybe KZbin will buy me a new motor someday.

[@TXP2P69]

Curious how that pour in transom is holding up? Any issues or complaints?

[@GoMidwestFishing]

So far not a single complaint from me. Its been holding up great. I've put it through a lot this summer and it still looks and performs like the day I made it. At the end of the summer season, I will upload a follow up video. Thanks for asking.

[@MikeSmith-nu9wt]

My 1996 key west 1720 is the same speed same motor , never had a power head with good compression yet , but im still running it , that's what makes them special..7 years now , 3 power heads and three lower units later ..still going

[@MexicoPescadoro]

I have the same motor, 95' Evinrude 90. It's on a 17' Seaswirl CC. I've seen 34mph at 5300 +-100. Unsure of the weight but we do have a 40 gallon fuel cell. Do you have any idea what the fuel consumption is on this motor? I've read 10% of HP # at WOT. So 9 gallons of gas per hour at WOT. That would theoretically get about 3mpg. Boat is used in lake and Sea of Cortez for serious bottom fishing. I've only owned the boat just shy of a year but trying to get a good understanding of fuel range so I don't die. Great video and I saw the transom fill video a while back. Good videos! Keep them coming on the old RUDE motor. Hoping for some feedback on fuel range data from you or ONE OF THE BOYSSSSSS!!!!

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi Chair-Runner. Great info. 9 gallons an hour sounds about right. I have not tested mine yet to see exact numbers. I'm usually on smaller lakes. I figure I can use the trolling motor to get home if I run out of gas. It sounds like you get on bigger waters where knowing this info is important for survival. I'm glad you like the videos. I appreciate you watching. I just started doing a complete teardown and rebuild on my Mercury 135, just to see if I can do it. Should be interesting. It sounds like you enjoy the "project" type videos. I'm looking for ideas for new videos. If you have any good ideas I could do, I'd love to hear about. Thanks again.

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

What is the dry weight of your boat and prop?

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi William. I believe the boat dry weight is 1200lbs and the motor weighs 350lbs.

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

The 88 is pre mix. No trim. Usually Smaller charging system

[@Aceh_sea]

L1....like and first coment my frend

[@fishawk90]

am sure a merc 4 stroke 75hp on that same boat will get @ least 35mph. i think two stroke hp are overated. for that speed thats really a 65hp motor.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

This motor has a few years on it, so I'm sure its not getting its full rated HP. That would be a fun test to switch motors and see how it does. Thanks for the info.

[@fishawk90]

@@GoMidwestFishing 2strokes Johnsons 90hp & under does well on hauls 900lbs & under. Shallow v's or smaller bass boats.

[@maxwell6774]

I wouldn't say overrated, but rated at the crankshaft instead of at the prop, like the newer engines. Mercury always underrated their engines.

[@JohnAmes]

It's a special because it's an Evan rude That sounds about right on speed I could get about 30 on my 75 Evan rude

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Well John, so far you've got the best explanation of why its special. I've had a few of those 75 Evinrude's myself. Blew them all up.

[@kirkout7366]

My 94 will hit 43.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Wow! That is fast. You must have a lighter boat than me.

[@GreatNo01]

Apparently not too fast. Pretty good for that boat though.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

30 mph seems to be a pretty normal speed for a boat, so I'm good with it. Thanks again for stopping by.

[@GreatNo01]

@@GoMidwestFishing no real need to go any faster

[@mattpaulsen8173]

Not special at all. They were made to the specs of a cheap boat maker to lower the price. Left off things that made the regular engine nicer so they could sell them for less. "Let make a boat nut out of you"!!!

[@GoMidwestFishing]

Hi Matt. I'm sure they are always looking to find a cheaper way to make things. I will say though, its been a very reliable motor. I appreciate the feedback.

[@ZoneTelevision]

Disappointing.

[@dominicksforza3484]

Trim it up!! To much hull in the water, that should do better than 30 mph. Check prop and engine hight as you may have excessive drag from install hight.

[@GoMidwestFishing]

I had it trimmed up as high as it will go without coming out of the water. I have a very heavy boat, plus the motor sits a little high due to a transom repair. I have tried it at all trim settings and so far 32mph is the best I've gotten. She's kind of old and tired as well.

[@dominicksforza3484]

@@GoMidwestFishing ok, just wanted to let you know what I was thinking.