Will an '07 Fishunter 186 (New) be comparable to my fishunter 190

[Derwood]

I wonder how sick many of you are getting of me constantly pressing this issue. But I guess I'm always looking for a great deal on good equipment, and this is clearly the most knowledgeable site I've been to. So, if I sold my '98 fishunter 190, and bought this brandew 186 with the 150 on it, how would it compare to what I have now? I'm looking to compare the following: Ride in rough water. Room (this one has a full windshield and is smaller...not sure of the exact length and width...Lea?). Power - smaller boat and smaller motor...will it be a wash, or will there be a noticable difference? Being that I have an efi, and the 150 is also an efi, I'm guessing there will not be a lot of fuel savings...??? Any other differences/similarities that come to mind, please feel free to comment. Thanks for your input!!!

[Lea]

The brand new 186 has an efi on it? Personally, I would want a 200 hp Opti on it...Power and fuell savings...

Specs of 186...
length 18'6"
beam 99"
max hp 200
fuel capacity 32 gals
livewell capacity 35 gals
front deck 23 sq ft
rear deck 15 sq ft

Brochure does not show storage capacity.

[Derwood]

It is something that is a bit out of my price range for sure, but thought I would investigate. It does come with the 150 efi. I know and opti would be best, but unless a 200 opti. is only a few bucks (I'm guess it's a few grand) I'm gonna have to stay with the 150. I'm wondering: would " new" power (the '07 150) be stronger power than a 10 year old 150?

I do like that the boat is only 10 inches shorter than my 190 and I also like that it is 99 inches wide!!

[Derwood]

Lea - I cannot IM from work, but do receive them... Yeah, I guess I am trying to confuse you (hahaha). Would a new 150 be comparable to and old 200? But yeah, I guess I'm also asking if there is a huge difference in a 10 year old 150 compared to a new one?

[Derwood]

And here's one more!!! hahaha how many square feet is the 190 (deck space, that is) front and rear?

[Lea]

Good thing I am home with my brochures... I cannot speak to power comparison...someone will be along...why do you ask about a 10 yr old 150, when you have a 200?

1998 190 Fishunter

length 19'4"
beam 97"
hp max 225
fuel 48 gals
livewell 20 gals
Front deck 29.6 sq ft
rear deck none...an optional rear deck was available, but dimensions not shown

[Derwood]

I was told that the 225 etec is actually putting out closer to 250hp at the prop... (at least that is what I was hearing). I thought I heard the 200 opti's were almost 220 at the prop. I guess that is what I'm trying to drive at...

[Lea]

Are you trying to get a comparison of the different brands to each other? Or, are you..as you asked earlier, trying to see if a new 150 can compare to a 10 yr old one? In that case, you need to be talking same brand, don't you?

Or...are you speaking in generalities to see if newer developments allow for more hp than was capable 10 yrs ago? As in ... are all 150s today, more powerful than all 150s of 10 yrs ago?

[Derwood]

Just wanted to know if I'd be happy with basically the same boat, but with a new 150. Both are Mercury models... Doesn't matter, that boat just sold...

[iron banks]

On louisanasportsman there is an 08 with a 150 opti the guy is asking around 22k for. I would keep what you have with that hull as it is better IMO.

[H2O_Fowl]

I don't think you will have as much room up front on the deck. I know a guy with one and there is not much room on the deck.

[Wall-I]

I know one thing, after having an opti 225 Pro XS the last couple of years, I would not go back to an EFI. My opti 225 uses half the gas without the smoke as my 200 EFI did. Some states will not even let you on certain lakes with old style polluting motors. In a few years you can have your money back in gas savings and resale value. On to the Fishunter 186. Even with a 200, it's only a low 50 mph boat. With a 150, it would be underpowered. Its around 400 lbs heavier than your old 190 but yet you would be going with 50 fewer hp. than your FH190/200hp combo. I hate to steer you away from a champ, but take a look at a Tuffy X190. It looks like a mini version of the old Champion 190 Fishunter.

[Lea]

It might look like a mini version, but it won't have the Champ rough-water ride.

If it were me, I'd keep what he has....at least for now...He might have new Champ fever....if so, and he wants to keep the Fishunter config, he needs the 186 with the max hp of 200....

[Derwood]

Thanks for the replies... Some of you have IM'ed me, and I cannot respond via IM due to "errors on page." ... the "error" being no "send" icon to reply to your IM's. So, coachlottig@yahoo.com is how to reach me off the boards (or just include your email address).

I do like my ride in the 190, and I love the "safe" feeling I have when my kid who is only 6, is with me. He fits in the passenger seat like it was made for him... Running 45 across a good chop on geneva is nothing for the boat, or him. Sounds like the new champ aint gonna give me that...??? Mumma likes the big deck in front, but also uses the back deck now, too.

I'm not ready to leave my champ, yet. I'm gonna give this engine another summer and then re-evaluate. If I continue to have problems, well ... I guess I don't know. Gas/oil usage is not a big issue. This year (in part because it was in the shop so much!!!) I didn't go through more than 3-4 gallons of oil. She's hard on gas, but I don't run very far, very ofter.

I don't know... With my fishing season coming to an end, I think I'll just sit on this one for the winter and ponder.... hahahaha

[iron banks]

Start saving a few coins each week over the winter. Sell the mariner and put a nice down payment on a optimax You will regret getting rid of that hull if that is your style of fishing. The engine will make selling your rig harder and they will low ball you on the entire rig because of it. The cost of a new engine with full warranties will be less than an entire rig. I have done it all types of ways and trust me a repower is the best alternative if you really like the hull. If you sell the hull and end up with something that does not excite you you will get buyers remorse and it will cost even more to get into another hull. Just a suggestion hope I don't offend you

[Derwood]

No offense taken at all. I think you make good sense. I am very happy with the hull, and agree, I may have buyers remorse (I had a little of that when I got rid of my tiller Lund and into this boat, actually.... it took some time to realize what I have now as well as to get adjusted to the double conole, layout, etc.) A repower is soooo much money for me if I go new. I would never be able to get that puck past the goalie (if you catch my drift). I like to dream about a XS or Etec 225 and all the positives that would come with it...

[Wall-I]

Repowering maybe less than you think. When I repowered from a 200 efi to a opti 225 Pro XS, final cost was only around $12,000. Not bad when you concider that a new 19' package could run $45,000. Stay with Merc and you can use the same controls for savings.

[Derwood]

Yeah, in comparison, that's pretty good. However, I could never be a 45K new boat owner. I spend 13K on this one (and that was after selling my tin boat for 8K) and that was a stretch... Repower will need to be in the 4500 range (max) after selling/trading my engine... Now you see my dilema........... New? Only if it was something like that 186 for around 19K and all the warranties.... Sell mine for somewhere in the 13-15K range...maybe...

[Lea]

You have the fever...Get the 186...but I would recommend the 200. Your call....

[Derwood]

I'm too cheap (but I do tip really well in restaurants) to buy it. And, someone did tell me about a 186 with a 200 E-tec on it, but I'm sure it's not 19K like the one I was asking about... otherwise I might not be so cheap. I guess I'll keep running the '98 till something great falls in my lap... it's a great ride (when the engine is performing like it is now).