Parts and service for Homelite 55 and Bearcat 55 and Bearcat 85 4 stroke outboard motors
Comparison test of Homelite 55 vs modern 4 stroke
Often I am asked how the Homelite 55 or Fisher Pierce Bearcat 55 outboard compares to a modern era 4 stroke outboard.
Back in 1996 Scott Stewart facilitated a test of a boat using a Homelite 55 vs a more modern 50hp 4 stroke. Both engines were run on the same boat, scans of the test are below the chart.
Data from the test is in the table below.
Note that the Homelite is much closer in performance and fuel economy than you might expect!
Bottom line: The Homelite 55 or Bearcat 55 are much less expensive than a newer motor, AND make your small boat cheap to run. You would have to run for years to burn enough fuel to make up for the difference in cost of a new motor vs the 55.
In particular, look at the optimum fuel economy figures at cruise speed, which is the rpm you'll realistically run your 55, you won't run it at WOT (wide open throttle).
Note that:
Back in 1996 Scott Stewart facilitated a test of a boat using a Homelite 55 vs a more modern 50hp 4 stroke. Both engines were run on the same boat, scans of the test are below the chart.
Data from the test is in the table below.
Note that the Homelite is much closer in performance and fuel economy than you might expect!
Bottom line: The Homelite 55 or Bearcat 55 are much less expensive than a newer motor, AND make your small boat cheap to run. You would have to run for years to burn enough fuel to make up for the difference in cost of a new motor vs the 55.
In particular, look at the optimum fuel economy figures at cruise speed, which is the rpm you'll realistically run your 55, you won't run it at WOT (wide open throttle).
Note that:
| Homelite 4 stroke 55hp outboard | Modern 1996 50hp 4 stroke |
Comment | |
| Best MPG speed | 22mph | 21.6mph | 55 is Very Competitive! |
| Best MPG RPM | 4350rpm | 4450rpm | Less rpm |
| Best MPG | 7.1 | 7.37 | Astounding economy! |
| Best GPH | 3.1 | 2.93 | Very Close |
| WOT speed | 30 | 33 | Close |
| WOT rpm | 5560 | 5950 | Less rpm |
| WOT MPG | 5.7 | 6.7 | Don't run wide open do you?! |
| WOT GPH | 5.3 | 5.0 | Close but wot isn't where you run right? |
| WOT noise | 100 | 97 | sound in dB |
| Idle noise | 68 | 62 | Very close, can fix with sound insulation |
| Time to 30mph | 15.5 | 11.6 seconds | Gear ratio difference |
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Happy reading!
Please contact us soon, we have engines ready to go or service parts for yours......
Happy reading!
Please contact us soon, we have engines ready to go or service parts for yours......
