196 outboard recommendation

[PoonWrangler71]

I recently purchased an aquasport 196. It had an old 2 stroke Yamaha v4 that had some issues so I decided to part out rather than rebuild. The 115 pushed my boat well but I have since added a tower as well as a 40gal +- leaning post livewell and a jack plate. Looking for something to give me good hole shot and good cruising speed as I fish Tampa bay and it gets skinny from time to time. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[florida196]

I'm curious to hear some input on this also.  I have a 19'6 with a closed in transom and picking up porta bracket tomorrow.  I'm planning on a 175 Suzuki I do not have any ideas on what kind of performance numbers I will have.  But I'm in the same boat want to be able to hop up quick.

[PoonWrangler71]

I was leaning towards the new 150 merc and still am in kinda weighing out my options. Also thought of a 140 Suzuki it's light and reasonably priced just afraid of being under powered

[love2fish]

a member on here has a 196 with an enclosed transom and Armstrong bracket and tower, and recently got a new 4stroke merc 150- seems to be very happy with it. I'm sure he will chime on here and give his opinion.

If you go with the Suzuki- might as well go with the 175 as it is maybe only 15lbs heavier than the 150 (same block I think)... I had an old 2-stroke evinrude 140 (which was really like a 90 at that point)... even that would push my 22-2 around with no problem.

[kafik38]

I recently re-powered my 19-6 with a Honda 4 stroke 135. I have been very pleased with the power and fuel consumption. It is heavier than the 135 Johnson 2 stroke i had on the boat previously. It makes the boat it a little lower in the water. I ended up putting plugs in the transom drains when i have the boat in the water and it works well. I use the boat offshore in the gulf and it performs well with the Honda.