97 Johnson Ficht 150 FastStrike

[No hot foot]

I have been digging info on Ficht engines and am currently looking at a boat (97 Stratos 295 Pro Elite) that has a 97 Johnson Ficht 150 FastStrike on it. In one post it was said the 97's were ok and the 98/99 were the OMC gravedigger. Do I still walk away from this rig and forget about it or is the 97 worth having a little faith in? He claims 170 psi in each hole, which seems high to me, never heard of it being that high but I don't know squat about these Ficht DI engines.

The only problem I find right now is the steering is extremely stiff, which is normally bad cables BUT he said they are new (and they look to be). What else could cause the stiff steering?

[ChampioNman]

Too much set back or a bad helm station. Keep on walking. Your $$$ find a carb 175.

[No hot foot]

I'll keep looking. Actually like the boat but only comments I've found on this engine from actual owners said "blown" multiple times. Damn!!

Next up is a near mint 98 Champion 191 DC Elite w/Suzuki DT 200. Boat shopping is a PITA!

Thanks for your advice ChampioNman!

[WildeOne]

I wouldn't buy any boat with a Ficht, unless the motor was valued at zero, and then I would have reservations.

[No hot foot]

That is about what I expected to hear. In this case it was close to that, but still don't want to go through looking for a replacement engine when it does blow, which would have to do because I would not spend a dime to revive the Ficht.

[rchavis]

The ficht and Fast Strike is two diff motors and the FS came out around 93 with the new Ranger 482V's BASSMASTER CLASSIC boat and was a good motor it took the place of the GT & XP motors from johnson and evinrude?

[No hot foot]

I thought the early FastStrikes had plenty of issues too?? My partner, at the time, had a 93 or 94 FS 150 on his Cajun and had a lot of problems with it. I know it got a new powerhead, once at least. It was awesome for a 150 when it did run though.

[Itch-2-Fish]

Stay away from the Fichts. I regret I told the lept. I did my share of research and read nothing but good things about my 2001 135HP Ficht. They all share one ailment or another. Sorry to say, but I should have bought a Yamaha or other Japanese motor. I don't make the kind of money to keep repairing... not to mention the fear of being stranded again (twice with this motor) and on 2nd EMM with only 362 hours.

I may go Etec but I certainly wouldn't go used Johnson/Evinrude. Good luck to you.

Just my $0.02.

[ChampioNman]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by rchavis &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The ficht and Fast Strike is two diff motors and the FS came out around 93 with the new Ranger 482V's BASSMASTER CLASSIC boat and was a good motor it took the place of the GT & XP motors from johnson and evinrude? </td></tr></table>

The 60* V6 made its debut in 1991 in 1997 the FICHT was unveiled and was also called a Fast Strike/Intruder but had a Ficht name on it. 1991 was the last year for the 90 * cross flow V-6 GT/XP's. The 60 * block is still in production today. You have to look at the model numbers to distinguish between an injected and a carb motor.