181 Re-power Question

[Deputy19]

Hello everyone, I am considering having a new 150 SHO installed on my 1995 181 SC. Currently there is a Mariner Mag 3 that weighs 390lbs, also the oil tank has been deleted. The new SHO motors weigh 490lbs. I also have a 6” rapid jack manual plate and 2 8’ Sportsman poles attached. Given the additional weight of the motor should I remove the poles from the boat? I already have to goose it coming off the pad to keep most of the water from coming over the back end. My rear storage consists of my weigh bag, culling beam, and a couple hand tools so there really isn’t anything else I can remove to counter the weight gain.

[pmgoffjr]

Get rid of the poles, and it should be about even.

[kris_tx]

Might look into lithium trolling motor batteries also

[Deputy19]

Pat, are the transoms strong enough for all of the weight if I were to leave them on? Especially since it is an older boat made with different materials than what are available now for construction?

[bassfisher444]

Try a Johnson Fast Strike 150, lightweight, powerful, reliable, simple, cheap and easy to work on, or a Mercury XR6.

[pmgoffjr]

Yeah, I guess first question is why? Did you blow up your mariner? Mag III is same motor as merc XR6. FYI.

If the transom is dry, it's good. The transom board was identical in all boats, yours is same as a 221.

[Deputy19]

The mariner is fine, I just thought I would get better performance from a new motor. I would like to hit St Clair and KY Lake this summer and was worried about the chance of having motor problems with it’s age.

[pmgoffjr]

Better? No.
That carb two stroke is as simple as they come, as long as you have compression, and don't starve it for fuel, they'll run a very long time. I'd give it the thorough check over, compression/leak down, make sure all your electrical is up to par, and drive it until I couldn't.

[rude150]

I've got a '96 150 FastStrike on my ' 99 181 F/S. Ran 30 miles round trip
on St Clair, last yr. ( 1 day, ) no issues except water over the bow, couple of times.
FWIW.