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  1. #1
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    '94 176 repower question

    I have a '94 176DC with a Mercury 115. I was recently out on the lake and when I restarted the motor it started knocking for a few seconds and then stopped and wouldn't start. After getting it back home, I pulled the plugs and found that the bottom cylinder had no compression. It is an old carbureted motor that was a pain to start and felt under powered. I could find a re manufactured power head and have it replaced but I don't really know how long before the lower unit might give problems and I would still be left with carbs that are a pain not to mention the oil tank is on the motor and is a poor design that leaks if you fill it and tilt the motor.

    My son-in-law happens to work for Tohatsu and he can get me a new Tohatsu 140 4 stroke for around $9200. It's going to be about 100 pounds heavier but much more dependable and fuel efficient. My first question is, if I do this should I bother putting a jack plate on? I few years ago I found that my transom was rotted. I removed the old transom and poured a new one in. It feels solid as a rock and I have never been concerned about it's strength even when I had a talon hanging on it also but now things are running thru my mind wondering about how it will handle a 4 stroke back there. If a jack plate is recommended, anyone have a suggestion on which one to go with?

    I figure after taxes, installation, new controls, some gauges and a prop I will be around 12k or less into it. I have found a nice 19' Champ and a 20' Skeeter in that same price range and really am leaning towards going with a bigger boat but my wife is opposed because they are older and you don't know about the engines where the Tohatsu will have a 5 year warranty so she wants to repower. I think that I would prefer rolling the dice and go larger.

  2. Member bigsdaddy's Avatar
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    #2
    That 140 straight on the transom should be great. I had a 135 Merc on my '89 176 and could hit 60+ GPS regularly. Great boats.
    Steve in Texas
    1999 ChampioN 203 DC
    2011 Mercury Optimax 250 Pro XS
    Ultrex 36v 112# - 2 10" Helix - 1 10" Garmin for Livescope Plus

  3. Member
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    #3
    I would find a used motor, the 150 mag. Its the 200 hundred block with smaller carbs. I had that with the 150 merc., that's a good motor. With starting instructions the carbs were no problems for me. It's still going.

  4. Member
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    #4
    Quote Originally Posted by bigsdaddy View Post
    That 140 straight on the transom should be great. I had a 135 Merc on my '89 176 and could hit 60+ GPS regularly. Great boats.
    I am not a speed demon but that would be great. The 115 tops out at around 39 gps and is really slow at getting out of the hole. I had to remove the talon because it just caused too much drag and made it extremely hard to get on plane. The lake I fish is large and full of stumps so you have to travel in boat lanes and with some of these guys running 60-70+ whipping around you both directions it feels pretty dangerous when you are in a slow boat.

  5. Member bigsdaddy's Avatar
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    #5
    Quote Originally Posted by Milo30 View Post
    I am not a speed demon but that would be great. The 115 tops out at around 39 gps and is really slow at getting out of the hole. I had to remove the talon because it just caused too much drag and made it extremely hard to get on plane. The lake I fish is large and full of stumps so you have to travel in boat lanes and with some of these guys running 60-70+ whipping around you both directions it feels pretty dangerous when you are in a slow boat.
    Sounds like Fork!
    Steve in Texas
    1999 ChampioN 203 DC
    2011 Mercury Optimax 250 Pro XS
    Ultrex 36v 112# - 2 10" Helix - 1 10" Garmin for Livescope Plus

  6. Member
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    #6
    Yes Bigsdaddy, it is Fork. I have an RV out there and it has been murder going out there with no boat.
    I got a deal that I could not say no to so my boat is in the shop and they are putting a new Tohatsu 140 on it. It should be done next week.

  7. Member bigsdaddy's Avatar
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Milo30 View Post
    Yes Bigsdaddy, it is Fork. I have an RV out there and it has been murder going out there with no boat.
    I got a deal that I could not say no to so my boat is in the shop and they are putting a new Tohatsu 140 on it. It should be done next week.
    That's awesome! I love Fork...of course! Let us know how that 140 does. Tight lines - Steve
    Steve in Texas
    1999 ChampioN 203 DC
    2011 Mercury Optimax 250 Pro XS
    Ultrex 36v 112# - 2 10" Helix - 1 10" Garmin for Livescope Plus

  8. Member
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    #8
    I got the boat back Friday, took it to the lake to start the break in. That motor is a beast. It is so much more responsive, quieter and is going to be way faster than the tired old 115. Took 30 minutes before I bent the prop. Luckily it's just a cheap aluminum for the break in. I am going to really enjoy it. Fork is 7' low right now so we need some rain soon.