Yamaha F 115 on a 1973 19.6 ? Trim tabs?

[Fishmore2013]

I’m getting closer to finishing my 1973 19.6 and since it came with no motor I’ll be buying one. Has anyone installed a Yamaha 115 four stroke on their 19.6 ? I’m going to be using the boat in New England, primarily for the Connecticut, Housatonic rivers, and fish structure along the shore.
Also my 23 JB has trim tabs and they work great, What is the consensus on trim tabs on a 19.6 ?
Thanks Jon

[GoneFission]

The Suzuki DF140 seems to be a great fit for the 19-6.  It's a 2 liter with more power and weighs about the same as the 1.8 liter Yammie 115 (under 400 lbs), but the 3 liter Merc 115-150 is heavier at 450 lbs.  A 115 will get the job done, but you would likely be happier with a 4-cylinder 140-150-175.  The 6 cylinder 150 and above models are usually heavy for the 19-6.  The 3 liter Merc will be the fastest of them, as there's just no replacement for displacement.  You can't buy happiness, but I've never seen anyone hauling a$$ on a boat without a smile on his face!   

[Fish Head]

I am almost done also! Going with Mercury 115hp Pro XS CT- 20 inch shaft that weighs 365 pounds on the 72 19’6. Kept transom original. Not next time lol. Had a 1992 Johnson 120hp 2 stroke 360 pounds before that ran pretty good. Cruised great around 30 mph. Can’t wait to get the 4 stroke though. Buddy has one and you can barely tell it’s on at idle. Can have a normal conversation at 30 mph. Great gas mileage,etc. I am not a speed demon but like to take the kids tubing now and again so don’t want to be underpowered either. If I did enclose transom with a bracket and fished the ocean like you guys I would be eyeing a 150 four stroke. I also had a hydrofoil and no trim tabs and no issues getting on plane. Turning at speed was sharp and controlled.

[TooLoose]

No experience with the 196, but I have a 115 Yamaha 4-stroke on my 170. Great fit for the 17, but I'd bet it would leave more to be desired on the 196.

Recently went through the process of researching and installing trim tabs. From what I gathered, the rule of thumb is to get the biggest tabs you can appropriately mount. I went with 12x12 Lencos. I love it - actually allows me to take advantage of the big bow. I'd highly recommend installing tabs.

[boatnamesue]

115hp on the 19-6 is under powered.  It’s doable, sure, but so to is a 90hp.  You’ve put work into getting this hull ready, seems like you’d be losing out if the hull is not able to reach peak performance. 

[MarshMarlowe196]

I had a gen 1 Suzuki DF140 on my 19-6. I've also had experience running the Yamaha F115 vs a Suzuki DF140 on a different hull, and the difference in performance was minimal. From what I've seen, the real world power produced by both engines is very similar. The DF140 is a weak 140, and the F115 is a strong 115.. The DF140 would realistically give you maybe a mile or two more on the top end

My 196 ran about 39mph WOT with the DF140, and that's going to be close to the performance you'll get with the F115

[Fishmore2013]

Thanks everyone for the responses
I guess I can try the boat without trim tabs and add them later if needed
Jon