196 power

[Guthrie Boatworks]

Rebuilding a 1972 196. Capacity plate says it was rated for 140 hp. I know that back then they were talking a 2 stroke. If I put a Suzuki 140 hp 4 stroke on it will it hurt the performance with the added weight? Would appreciate anyone's experience.

[McAllgeyver]

That's what I'm doing, the suzuki140. The DF140a was the same weight as the F115 which was what was on it before. Some here have done both setups though, F115 or DF140a, and others went overkill .  As for the added weight of course, the cockpit drains will be under water and will need to be addressed.

[Guthrie Boatworks]

Gotcha, thanks for the reply. Boat is gutted out, figured on raising the deck. Was wondering about Porpoising issues?

[McAllgeyver]

If you can do without self bailing, lowering the floor would give you a deeper cockpit height and you might feel more comfortable. Once the floor is raised...the cockpit height becomes very shallow, almost that of a flats boat. Its the one thing I would have done different, actually lower the floor and rely on bilge pumps.  here u go,