1986 222 Repower Question

[Wave_sport]

I own a 1986 222 Osprey that my dad originally bought in 1992.  The engine - a 2000 175 Johnson - finally gave out this year and I am going to repower with a 4-stroke Suzuki.  From a weight perspective, I'd prefer to go with a 140 HP which is about the same weight as the engine I am replacing.  I realize it will be a little underpower, but we don't go fast or far - fortunately the best fishing in Boston is inside the Habba.  But I also do not want to be so woefully underpowered that it struggles to get on plane.  Anyone with any experience on this?  Can I get away with a Suzuki 140HP?  The Suzuki 175 HP would add an additional 150 pounds onto the back which makes me nervous, as the boat is on a mooring in the summer...it would not push the stern below the self bailing outlets, but it would probably get it closer than I would like...

Also, I am having the outside repainted for the first time this year (you can see in the pic that it needs it).  I'd like to keep it as close to the original as possible.  But I can not find a place where I can by the two-tone blue striping.  Anyone have any luck with that in the past?  If not, I may just go all gray which would be easier, but I like the original design...

thank you!

[Ulysses485]

I think at the end of the day it really depends on what your expectations are for the repower. If you need the power to do anything offshore or fighting through rougher seas, the bigger block with more torque will help with the 150/175/200 Suzuki. The 140 will be quite a bit different in time to plane but propped right, I think can be just fine in typical inshore seas and does great on gas mileage. TampaBayMike on here has one on his rebuilt 222 with a porta bracket but surely a raised deck to help with self-bailing. I have an 81' 222 which is basically the same hull (previously powered with a 225hp Evinrude 2 stroke before I got it that was 455lbs) as yours and I was told there was never an issue with self-bailing. I am getting ready to repower with a 200 Suzuki on a 6'' Bob's Machine bracket and feel pretty confident that I will be fine. I kept mine an open transom because I wanted to keep the weight distribution as forward as possible while also keeping the factory deck. I also do believe the 80s models have a console that is slightly forward but I have not verified that against a comparable early 70s model. There is also a guy that has a 1979 (same hull) with open transom with 175hp Suzuki mounted directly on transom and has no problems self bailing. He noted that “its very close but always drains”. He also noted that he keeps a few cast nets and buckets in the aft section of the boat.

[Wave_sport]

Thank you for the helpful response!  Its good to know that someone else has put a 175 HP on the back of a 222.  I stood on the transom to mimic how the extra weight would work and it also was "super close" but would self-bail (as long as the bildge stays dry).  Given we never go offshore, I am still leaning towards the 140 HP for peace of mind, but helpful to know that others have put the 175HP on.

[rhtrades]

check out JW Marine in Salem MA....they're a Suzuki outboard dealer.  They repowered mine (not the same boat as yours) and they would know if the boat can't handle the additional weight of a 4 stroke as well as the other questions you have. 

[plugger]

Not an apples to apples comp, I went from the 175 Johnson to the the Suzuki 200 adding 100 lbs on the transom
For my 205 OSPREY. No difference at the scuppers.

[Fish Head]

Nada guides says a  2000 175 Johnson weighs 365lbs. Just curious if you have considered a Mercury. Mercury ProXS 150 weighs 455lbs(90lbs more) , ProXS 175 weighs 470lbs(105lbs more). Move your batteries forward to offset the extra 100lbs. You will be in the range of around 4000rpm with the speed it sounds like you like to cruise in so your fuel burn will be awesome. Plus you got the extra punch if and when you need it. Like maneuvering around Googans!

[Wave_sport]

Thank you for the suggestion!  Are those Mercury's also four strokes?  I have not researched them yet, but will look at them.  The weekend fishing fleet inside Boston Harbor is 97% Googans, so the extra punch would probably be a good idea...