They put metal tanks in the boats heading for Japan. Nobody ever said why though.
They put metal tanks in the boats heading for Japan. Nobody ever said why though.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
Interesting history....I guess I'll start searching for a new tank.
I was talking to a friend and he suggested a hydraulic plate would be beneficial running up the river. He also suggested that I should find out if a set back would be beneficial to performance. I have a mercury 175 that is the same year as the boat... what's the best setup... set back.. prop and such?
Last edited by Jcmartin217; 07-17-2018 at 05:04 PM.
6" rapid jack, Yamaha M or Merc tempest, depending on what motor you end up with. A 78 vintage merc is a powerhead rated motor, so it's not gonna put out much more than a current 150.
So if I was looking at rigging up a dinosaur 175 on a '78 168...
First, don't run it without dual cable steering. Just to make sure. Single cable is a widowmaker.
6" rapid jack
25M Yamaha prop.
Or if you really want to spin old school, 24 small eared merc chopper prop.
Transom was pretty low on the original 168's, when you set your prop shaft at 3 1/2" under pad you're going to think the motor is mounted on a radio tower.
When you get past 65, it's going to be a different ride. Stuff is going to happen really quick, so it's going to be time to be a boat driver.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
^ And there you have it.
Pat... I have thought about putting a new motor on it...a later model... what would you suggest I start looking for?
My friend was suggesting 4 stroke... but quickly let that go after I looked at the weight of those things... so I was thinking it would be better to keep it a 2 stroke but really don't know what direction I should take.
2.5 200EFI
Well now you have my attention.
We are assuming the hull is solid, transom is dry and good.
Any 2.5 motor will work fine. Your decision comes to how fast do want to go and how much you want to spend.
My 168 with the 220 Yamaha could run mid 80’s running a Boger tuned 28 hoss prop.
A regular 200 merc should be mid to high 70’s. The first gen hulls were faster by a bit because they are so light.
A 225 promax would be my choice for a reliable hot rod motor. It would hit 90 pretty easy on that hull. If you had plenty of funds then a 280 offshore would get you serious Allison speeds over a hundred.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
80 in a 168 is a religious experience to the uninitiated.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
If you’re driving it’s exciting and has your attention.
If you’re a passenger you’re just hoping it won’t hurt that bad.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
It'll be fun to watch you skip...
Years ago I was tossed out of a Ranger at about 60mph... broke 5 ribs and spent a week in ICU.... people on the bank watching said it was one of those wide world of sports clips had it been caught on camera....
As much as I would have gone for the 100 in my youth I don't see that in my future... especially now that I understand it can happen in a blink of an eye....so I'll definitely look into the 200's and consider the pro max...
It won't be till next spring... still have plenty of work to do to this project... hopefully I'll find something good by then.
The dinosaur comment comes to mind everytime I'm near it... it's got to go!
I've hit the water a few times. Not once did it ever resemble anything like fun.
50, 60, 80, 100...it all hurts.
I don't climb into anything capable of speed without a lifeline jacket, and a regular motorcycle helmet will kill you quick in the water, don't wear one.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
I'd only scare you if I wanted you to be scared. Actually it would be pretty boring.
If you have a skeet or lemming hat, it's game on, otherwise you'd just go for a nice smooth ride.
Pat Goff
Two degrees from center
of nowhere.
Smithwick TX.
My dads 79 champ I believe had the rear pedestal mounted between the seats and rear deck lid. It was a 168 with a 200 Evinrude 26p chopper. Mounted on the transom with a funky looking aluminum plate that stuck up and inch or two above the transom. I guess to be able to mount the engine up higher maybe????
took forever and a day to get on plane but once it was there it would scoot!
I have lots of pics of it but don’t know how to post them.
Larry Eby, 2004 ChampioN 188 Elite/2003 200 Hp Vmax OX66
"Romans 10:9"