Thread: Buying a new boat!!!! need some help please...

You want your anti cavitation plate ( the flat spot over your prop) about a half inch below the bottom of the boat... Glad to see your starting to make some head way on the boat. Talk to a prop shop, there's one next door to Portsmouth marine. I wouldn't cut the transom, maybe you can get a bracket for it, I've seen 20" motors on 15" transoms, maybe you could do the opposite lol???

Cut her down and strip out all the excess weight I think you will be amazed at how light that boat actually is. 11 pitch prop is my bet, the 9.5 will not get you over 16mph with the 11 you should get 18-20. Kind of depends on if you are fishing mostly by yourself or will always have 2 people in boat. Makes a big difference. I have a tracker PF16 and I cut the transom down and run a 9.9 yamaha (12.5hp actually) with a 11 pitch prop.

Originally Posted by Percidae_Papermouth

You want your anti cavitation plate ( the flat spot over your prop) about a half inch below the bottom of the boat... Glad to see your starting to make some head way on the boat. Talk to a prop shop, there's one next door to Portsmouth marine. I wouldn't cut the transom, maybe you can get a bracket for it, I've seen 20" motors on 15" transoms, maybe you could do the opposite lol???

im about 3inches too high.... i have been thinking of a way to make or buy a bracket but if i did then i wouldnt be able to steer the motor... the tiller would hit on the transom

Originally Posted by Flatwater

Cut her down and strip out all the excess weight I think you will be amazed at how light that boat actually is. 11 pitch prop is my bet, the 9.5 will not get you over 16mph with the 11 you should get 18-20. Kind of depends on if you are fishing mostly by yourself or will always have 2 people in boat. Makes a big difference. I have a tracker PF16 and I cut the transom down and run a 9.9 yamaha (12.5hp actually) with a 11 pitch prop.

THANK YOU!!!! exactly what i have been looking for! someone that has done the same thing.... if you get a chance i would love to see some pictures of your boat! especially the cut transom... my next step is stripping everything out of the boat. getting rid of all the old rotten stuff. i cant wait to get this boat finished so i can go back to fishing "real" water and not just this pond in my neighborhood.

may not have to cut my transom? put the Mercury 50 up for sale on CL last night and this guy emailed me wanting to do an even trade with this motor.... its remote steering which changes the direction i was planning on going but its a long shaft and in beautiful condition! i still have the yamaha tiller so once i get this evinrude i will see which way i want to go?

Check compression, make sure she runs and idles. I would think your motor even though it doesnt run would be worth more than the 9.9

well i did it... i traded the Mercury 50 for a Johnson 9.9 (converted to 15)... even swap! the johnson starts and runs flawlessly!

also doing this got me inspired to start the tear down on my boat! heres some new pictures from today...





next is to take out all the NASTY WATERLOGGED foam!!! YAY!!! haha.... you should have felt how heavy the old plywood was! at least 3x's as heavy as new plywood.

Sweet! I think ya made the right choice...great time to paint the boat as well... I'd go olive drab green with tan or brown carpet. Keep us updated.