Mariner 150 v/s mercury 225

[RidgeRunner]

Originally Posted by kamikaze

If I were you I would run the 150 until it has a problem that not worth fixing while you establish reliability. Skip the bracket (ridge can disagree, but I believe you won't be happy with it on a 20 ft hull) and focus your rebuild efforts on the Seahawk. Besides its easier to recoup investment in V20 if it's running and you can rebuild rig the Seahawk at your leisure.

I can but I won't, Kamikaze. I agree with you 100%. Don't get me wrong, I do like the bracket. But what a lot of work and $$$ to get it right/or my idea if right in any case.. Hydraulic steering is almost mandatory, extending the cables and harness and all the little things that got moved fore to compensate for the weight and lever action of the bracket and outboard hanging 30" farther back. Another huge detractor if you go with a bracket you will loose the self-bailing ability of the hull. To some a self bailing boat for offshore is very important. I believe the draft would increase(even if the bracket were a floatation type) which is not anything you would want running in the shallows. Coming off plane, the motor will dig in. However, the bracket does help to keep the bow down on planning, so the draft might be even bracket vs no bracket. You will be squatted in the stern to start with..
As for what it might be worth after the upgrades? I have doubts about recouping any additional funds on the resale, who knows it might hurt the sale. At the end of the day you will still have a 30 year old 20'6" boat. I would concentrate on the other restoration project and run the V just as you get it, especially if it is in good shape.. Just keep it that way while you work on the other boat and when it comes time you can sell it off and make a profit, who knows you might need funds at some point to finish the project(yes I am a complete smart arse) My point being there are still a ton of boats on the market for cheap that are many years newer than your V, I am not saying they are better but there are some with more "curb appeal", I love my V and it works for me, but nobody will ever give what I have put into her over the years, I knew that after the first couple days of grinding fiberglass.. Mind you, I don't want to be the wet blanket, you seem to have a lot of enthusiasm and there can never be too much of that, SO whatever direction you decide to go.. My humble offerings...
Bret, I am so happy that motor is doing you right. As for your bracket, your cuddy has a lot of weight forward that the center console doesn't have. I would be afraid that the center console with a bracket and the 3 liter would porpoise. You mentioned handling at the dock. There is a huge issue in reverse with a 20' bracketed boat. LOL! Add a little wind and let the fun begin! The reverse thrust from the outboard gets piled up and deflects off the transom and often moves the stern around unexpectedly, very slow to react port to stbd in reverse--- versus a non-bracketed boat where most of the reverse thrust goes under the hull and you have a good bit more "control". Not a big deal, flat bottom boats, airboats, jetboats, all have similar docking issues..
The V is still a breeze besides I consider all on board to be "human fenders" and the pep talk goes like this: "Gellcoat costs money, skin will grow back."

Welcome aboard TroutKiller!