time to repower

nipper · #1 10-23-2006, 02:40 AM

I received unfortunate news from my mechanic; my mercruiser 4.3 litre V6 is toast. I am seriously considering adding a bracket and repowering with an outboard. I have been on ebay, and find that there are some pretty new outboards (some new leftovers too) at prices I can afford. I am wondering what horsepower would be best, as well as whether I should go with a 4 stroke or not. Also, I do not know what shaft length I would need. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

turbinedoctor · #2 10-23-2006, 03:34 AM

Nipper: You came to the right place for advice. Weather or not you like the advice you get is questionable. ;D

MJ is our resident inhouse bracket expert and I am sure you will hear from him as to all the benefits of brackets. I dont know what the big deal is about them.

As to horse power we will need to know more about your boat, along with lots of pictures. Since you are a Newbie you will have a grace period as to how long before we receive the pictures and when we kick you off this site. LOL ;D

I have a 2 stroke and it is a great motor, but if I had to repower I would consider a 4 stroke. There is lots or room for debate on that topic. Wish you well on your repower.

By the way Welcome to the site.

Kajun · #3 10-23-2006, 04:57 AM

welcome nipper! ;D

TheTinMan · #4 10-23-2006, 07:45 AM

If it were mine and money was no object, I'd go with a Suzuki 175 4s WITH a FLOTATION bracket. If I was repowering mine without adding a bracket, I'd keep it lighter and go with a direct injection 2s, either Optimax or E-Tec.

Nipper, where are you from and will you be doing the work or having it done?

Expect to pay at least twice as much to go with the OB vs, repowering your IO. You will never recoup all the extra money you spend so if going with the conversion your plans should include keeping the boat for a long time.

reelapeelin · #5 10-23-2006, 08:07 AM

Nipper, if it were me, I'd go w/a ''leftover"...it's essentially a new motor w/ warranty and will come w/ dealer support...as for 20" vs 25'' shaft, my pick would be 25" as that will keep motor-head further outta the water...as to what brand, shop around all dealers you can and pick based on two things: price and dealer attitude ...

HP...I recommend 150 or larger, although several here are happy w/ smaller motors...

4 stroke vs 2 stroke?...pretty sure you'll get a better price on a 2 stroker and it'll be less weight...

No doubt, you'll spend some extra bux w/ this conversion, but I believe worth it PARTICULARLY if you plan to keep the boat for a while...

Let's see some boat pics...we just can't get enough!!... ;) ...

macojoe · #6 10-23-2006, 08:32 AM

Welcome to the site!!

Yes I am a advocate for brackets!!

I was once a I/O guy with a stright 6 cyl. Spent lots and lots of cash keeping it up!!

IMO I/O is cheaper to replace, but in the long run I belive the maintance will make up the difference!

OB will be more in the begining, but less maintance over time there making them pretty darn equal in the end.

So in the end if you want cheap and you like to play with your boat all the time, then I/O will be what you want.

If you want dependable hassle free boating then you will go with a OB

Now as for power, IMO I belive the smallesat motor on a V20 should be a 150hp, anything else is a slow waste of time and you will over work and shortin the life of the motor! Unless you like 20 mph all the time.

You will need a 25" shaft to keep the motor out the water properly.

As for 2 or 4 stroke motors, thats up to you. I like 2 strokes myself, they have stood the test of time and have lots of power!

4 strokes have less power out the hole, have not stood the tet of time in my book, and they will add a bunch more weight to the back of your project!!

A floataion bracket is the way to go!! But there are many to chose from!!

I have a Stainless Marine Bracket with full swim platform. Aprox $1,600 new I got used for $400

There is no need for a full swim platform, they sell just the bracket for about $800 new, and $300 to $500 Used.

There are a couple members that have brackets here for sale, one will be full and the other just the box.

Full brackets weight in at 125# and the avrage 2 stroke motor 400#, so you will be adding at least 525 # off the back of your boat.

So one thing that has to be concidered is your transome and how strong is it??

The best way to check right now would be to lift the outdrive and then grab with your hands and try to lift it up, wiggle it around, is there any movement in the transome??
Go around with a rubber mallet and hit the transome, do you hear any hollow spots??

Last you can go on the inside and drill a couple of 1/4 holes and see what comes out the core, Is it clean looking wood? Dirty wood? or just dirt :o

Once this is done and you insure that the transom is good then you may proseed o the next level.

I will stop here, for a rest so you can take it all in!!

Hope this has been helpfull so far?

Seacrets · #7 10-23-2006, 09:34 AM

Welcome Nipper. I agree with what everybody is telling you. It's good info. I just repowered my V20 with a 150 hp 2000 model two stroke. It was initially purchased in 2002 and it has less that 100 hrs. I could have bought new, however if you do, plan on keeping your boat a long time. If you try to sell it in a year or two, you'll want to add the price of your new outboard and it's hard to get say 15k for your rig. Just my thoughts. Good luck and again welcome to the forum.

willy · #8 10-23-2006, 11:07 AM

All right MJ who wrote that for you I had to go to the top twice and read who the poster was, is your wife home taking dictation for you ;D

willy · #9 10-23-2006, 11:15 AM

And welcome Nipper, got a bracket ( Armstrong ) full flotaton and no swim platform. Which was good for me because I needed to add a kicker motor bracket on the side, something you might need to consider.
I have a 115 Johnson Ocean Runner 2 stroke. It does the job well and balances on the boat great. If I was repowering I would probably go with a Suzuki 140 four stroke. Lightweight and IMHO plenty of power with an extended warranty and good reputation. If you need even more power go with a 6 cylinder 150 0r 175 which I believe on a bracket should be max power.
Weight hanging off the transom 28-30 inches is the issue you need to watch out for. If too much your motor will take a dunking in every following sea and large wake that you rock and roll over. Definetly get a bracket that adds flotation for the same reason. Good luck ;)

macojoe · #10 10-23-2006, 02:32 PM

Quote:

All right MJ who wrote that for you I had to go to the top twice and read who the poster was, is your wife home taking dictation for you

I can write well when I want!!

Just don't want to waste in on you souther guys!! You'z have a hard anough time reading all ready!! ;) ;D