Moving ahead with the 200EFI

[Artie]

Well, I'm moving ahead with my 200 installation on my 180DC. I really just want to see if I can make it fly. I have pulled the OMC wiring harness and controls out. I mounted my new Commander 3000 controller and cables for my Merc this evening. I have my wiring harness pulled, and the key switch mounted. I'm picking up some color coded wire tomorrow, as well as a few other parts, and I will swap engines Thursday evening. I expect to run it this weekend. It should be interesting. If everything works well, and it isn't too cold, I may run my modified Chopper just for grins. I'm thinking if it runs at least 73 mph with the Tempest, I will keep it. Who knows? It may fly once I get enough speed to get it out of the water!

Artie

[pmgoffjr]

Cool deal, just remember to keep those front boxes on a diet.

[Royjulius]

Please get back with numbers......

[Artie]

Yeah, I try to keep everything as far back as possible. But as you obviously know, there ain't much storage in the back. I tend to keep some things under the consoles, just to keep the weight back. I also don't take everything I have every time I go out. I rarely have more than 15 gallons of fuel, and I don't fill the livewells unless I catch something spectacular. And spectacular has gotten harder and harder to achieve....hehehe......I guess my expectations have risen.......

I'm running a Minn Kota TM right now. It's my first, and I like it OK, but it weighs a ton and may eventually be traded off for a MG. I'm thinking about installing hydraulic steering and a bigger jackplate. I imagine a 10" plate would make the "family speed" lift problems much smaller....but it might prove to be just too much setback. The most I've ever had was 8" on a 203/225EFI, and that was just about right, but this is a different animal.

I keep telling myself "Pat didn't have a jackplate, or a 200". I'm gonna find success where he didn't.....yeah, right........

But, it'll be fun trying! It's that old hard headed thing and all.

Artie

[Lea]

Pat will know, but 10" setback sounds like it might be a tad too much for that shorter hull....

Have fun, but please be safe. I'd like to see all our family safe and in one piece!!!

[Artie]

Woo hoo! I pulled the 150 'Rude this morning, and installed it on the guy's boat that bought it. I have my 200 bolted onto the jackplate, and everything works! I may get it in the water tomorrow! Everything looks good. All my wiring is done, and I've gotten most of the factory wiring cleaned up. I ran 10 gauge wire from the battery to the front to the master switch, and spliced the negative into the ground wiring. It should help keep my electronics from powering off when I start the engine. Got the new water pump in the LU, and and I will stab it after dinner. Everythings coming together. It may be a week or two before I do any top speed runs, but they will come.

More to come....

Artie

[Artie]

Well, I started up my new baby last night and let if run for 30 minutes! I'm going to take it to the ramp this afternoon and run it some more. I'm still working out small details that you get when you change engine manufacturers on a boat, but it is coming together sweetly. I can't wait to run down the lake with the bow up! Bring on the chine walk!

Artie

[Royjulius]

[Artie]

Well, she's a runner! I never got it topped out, but I did see 69 mph on the GPS once. It will run when I get done. I need to tweak the dual cable steering to remove the slack. And I never got the engine height up to where it should be to run hard. It chine walks terribly now, probably due to the softer engine mounts and the slack in the steering (and maybe because the engine was too low). I'm putting new plugs tomorrow evening, and setting the TPI. It should run well this weekend when I go fishing. I'll try to get a few pics, to show if running. Man, I can't wait for spring, now!

Artie