Outboard recomendation

[PoonWrangler71]

Alright guys new to the forum recently got a 72 aquasport 196. Looking to repower it with a 4 stroke what's everyone recommend hp wise. Boat has a leaning post livewell 40gal also has a 40gal fuel tank and a tower. Running a 10in bobs jack plate. Boat had a 115 Yamaha v4 that ran it good but that was before adding Livewell and tower etc. any input greatly appreciated !!!!

[Que Pasa]

I ran a 175 on my old 19.6, ran like a rapped ape. I didn't have a tower or live well. Got 46 knots outta that boat.

[wingtime]

We are in the process of hanging a new Mercury 150 four stroke on Blue Aqave's 19-6 tower boat. He had a 200 efi on it before. Should be interesting to see what his new numbers will be.

[PoonWrangler71]

 I was also leaning towards the new merc 150 hard lots of good about them also considered a 140 Suzuki it's little lighter and cheaper as well just don't want to be under powered

[PoonWrangler71]

Keep me posted on the numbers with that 150 I bet he won't be disappointed !!!👍🏼

[Aswaff400]

i think the 115 pro xs 4stroke or the 150 4stroke would be a great motor on a 196, my 150 4stroke pushes my flatback up to 42 mph, and cruises nice at 28-30 mph

[PoonWrangler71]

 I do like the new 115 pro xs as well just hate to spend the money and be disappointed in performance although I have seen some 196s with 90s on them

[Blue Agave]

140 - 150 hp is plenty of power for the 19'6" even with the live well and tower. What you should be asking yourself is if the boat is going to self bail with the weight of a 4 stroke. Does your boat have the original floor or has the floor been raised?  Not only are you putting more weight on the back, but you have moved the weight 10" further back.

[PoonWrangler71]

Blue agave good points for sure yes the boat still has the original floor for now but will be restoring eventually just want to get some use out of as its solid as a rock as well as the transom. It still self bailed with that 115 which was about 360lbs. The 150 is 100lbs heavier and the 140 is about 40lbs heavier which was my reason for leaning towards it. Also was planning on putting ball scuppers in to just add some extra help from water coming in at the drain holes

[Basketcase]

Its very hard to compete with the power to weight ratio of the new Merc 115. That is the motor that is going on my SeaCraft 20 when it's done. Its lighter than the etecs even. And at 2.1 liters I bet it's got plenty of grunt plus great fuel economy. Weighing in at 359lb for a 2.1 liter 115hp 4 stroke is pretty impressive if you ask me.  The old SeaCrafts are very weight sensitive so thats why I love this motor. I'd rather have a well balanced boat that tops out a 45 than a screaming monster that goes 55 but wont plane at low speed or takes water in the scuppers.

[Blue Agave]

Keep in mind that if you are going to restore you are better off with a 25" shaft.  Your current transom is 20" if original. At the very least raise the transom 5" now or you'll have to buy the extension kit to convert the motor after rebuilding the boat.

I can tell you that the weight of the new Mercury 150 is as follows;

20" shaft 455lbs.
25" shaft 470lbs.

[PoonWrangler71]

Its very hard to compete with the power to weight ratio of the new Merc 115. That is the motor that is going on my SeaCraft 20 when it's done. Its lighter than the etecs even. And at 2.1 liters I bet it's got plenty of grunt plus great fuel economy. Weighing in at 359lb for a 2.1 liter 115hp 4 stroke is pretty impressive if you ask me.  The old SeaCrafts are very weight sensitive so thats why I love this motor. I'd rather have a well balanced boat that tops out a 45 than a screaming monster that goes 55 but wont plane at low speed or takes water in the scuppers.
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I agree 100% I'm not looking to build a race boat just want a nice power plant and I do love my mercurys I'm stuck between it and the 140

[PoonWrangler71]

Keep in mind that if you are going to restore you are better off with a 25" shaft.  Your current transom is 20" if original. At the very least raise the transom 5" now or you'll have to buy the extension kit to convert the motor after rebuilding the boat.

I can tell you that the weight of the new Mercury 150 is as follows;

20" shaft 455lbs.
25" shaft 470lbs.

Ok thanks for that bit of info I was wondering if I should get a 20 or 25 shaft for it and yeah I plan to do a fully enclosed transom eventually down the road for sure would I be ok running it as is with a 25 and jack plate until I make it to that point ?

[Blue Agave]

Yes, you will be able to run the 25" on the jack plate but you will have to run with the plate all the way up.  So in essence it will be as if you had no jack plate.