Repowered the 19'6"

[Blue Agave]

Well the old Mercury 2.5 EFI 200 eat a rod bearing.  After 15+ years and approximately 1500 hours of service the Mercury did not owe me a thing.  I took a week or so to decide if I wanted to rebuild or repower.  It came down to three options; 1) rebuild myself, 2) have someone rebuild her, 3) repower.  After I went through all the variables and costs I decided it was best to repower.  She was a great motor and I’ll miss the old girl.  I need to thank several forum members for their insight and help; Farley (Fitz73222) for giving me his thoughts on rebuilding, Aaron (aswaff400) for answering all my question regarding his Mercury 150 4 stroke, and a big thanks to Bruce (wingtime) for giving his time to help with the project.

I have been telling myself for years that I was going to pull the motor off and remove the bracket and have it refinished as the paint had started to fail.  Well I took advantage of the situation and yanked both the motor and the bracket off the back of the boat.  I was fortunate to find a Mercury Pacemaker 150 4S out of Georgia, and had the motor shipped to me here in Florida so that I could do the install. 

Initially I wanted to have the bracket repainted but as it turned out I ended up having it powder coated and I am real happy with the way it came back from the powder coater.   Mounted the bracket on the boat, again big thanks to Bruce for the extra set of hands, then dropped her off to have the bracket sprayed with Awlgrip non-skid.  After a couple days of allowing the non-skid to dry I mounted the new motor.  The old Mercury passed on April 10th and I splashed the new Mercury on May 14th.  I wasn’t sure how I’d like having 50 less ponies and the extra weight of the 4 stroke, but I have to say that once I got her propped right I am quite happy with the performance of the 4 stroke.  I know there have been a few inquiries on repowering a 19’ 6” recently and I can confirm that the 150 is plenty of power for the 19’ 6”.  I just purchased a Mercury vessel view motor monitor system, once I get it installed I’ll be sure and post some performance numbers.

[Blue Agave]

[RickK]

Sweet!!  The bracket looks great and the motor looks awesome (new always do). Does the motor have built-in hydraulic steering?
How was the transom after you pulled the bracket?

[Blue Agave]

Hey Rick, the transom is solid!

[RickK]

Great - I added a question to my previous post.

[Blue Agave]

No the motor did not have built-in steering.  I was able to use all the rigging I had in place to rig the new motor including the existing steering ram.  All I needed was a wiring harness adapter which cost my $45 on eBay.  Thanks to Aaron as he answered all my inquires regarding going from the EFI 2 stroke to the new 4 stroke.

[Aswaff400]

looks great dude!

[wingtime]

I can tell you that while we did put in some extra hours on the project, it was a pretty straight forward repower. Old blue looks fantasic in person. The powder coating on the bracket looks great and is a perfect color match. The 150 four stroke was super easy to rig and get running. No adjustments, or oil system to prime. Just primed the fuel, bled the air out of the injectors and fired her up. Bled some more air and then off to the ramp. Starts up like a charm and is super quiet. Plenty of power

[mshugg]

Blue,

How does your boat perform with the bracket?  Did you have to move much weight forward?  Is there any tendency to porpoise?  Is there any way you could post some performance numbers.

I'm getting ready to rebuild the transom on my 200 CCP, and need to decide bracket or not.  Any info you could share would be appreciated. 

Thanks,

Michael

[Blue Agave]

Michael, I did move the fuel tank approximately 2 feet forward. With the old motor, 200 2'stroke, and a four blade stern lifting prop the boat wanted to porpoise slightly if it was slick calm. Half foot chop or more she ran tip top with no tabs. I now run a three blade and I have to tab it a bit, but nothing that I can't live with. Keep in mind your hull is completely different than mine. The modified vee 19'6" and the 22-2 have a rocker and lifting strakes upfront which enable the porpoising. I don't believe you will have a problem with the CCP.

[mshugg]

Blue,  thanks for the info.  I talked to Armstrong, and they reccomend their wide body bracket.  They say that I'll get the performance advantages of the bracket.  My tank will be moved forward and my batteries will be relocated to the console.  I'll add tabs of course. Now,  I leaning toward the full transom and bracket.