1987 stratos 181p

[PJ_Jones]

Hello I hope im not off topic but this category seemed to fit... I recently bought a 1987 stratos 181p bass boat
the boat didnt include a motor so im looking to repower it. The previous owner told me the last time he had it out he hit something with the motor causing a crack on the top of the transom, it looks cosmetic because ive felt all around the inside and saw what i could with a flashlight in the small rear access hole and i see no sign of a crack or anykind of flexing
on the actual transom anywhere, even all the molding and seals around the engine mount rails are all good...so i think im good there, (any advice on what else to look for or check would be greatly appreciated)... now as far as the actual motor install goes im looking at motors in the same year range to avoid problems with the install... i guess my actual question is ive ran into a couple 1992-1996 motors that are all good and in my price range now would that work on my boat? im not real familiar with this type of thing so are the standard bolt patterns different for different yearspans? like would my 87 be different than a 1992? I cant really find out any info on my particular boat i even emailed Stratos for any kind of manuals,wiring diagrams service manuals etc and all the sent me was an old advertisement page with only one decent piece of info on it, the hp rating ugggh lol so if anyone knows where i could get some good info on my boat id appreicate it...

 

[pckeen]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

Post some pics so we have a better idea what is going on.

With respect to the transom, make sure the crack is resealed. Flexing will occur when there is a substantial load on the transom. The way I've tested it is with the motor in place, then placing my weight on the motor, to see if the transom will flex (so figure 400-500 lbs weight on the transom). Damage to the transom may not be apparent through a visual inspection.

I assume this is an outboard motor you are looking at. Basically, you can hang any motor on the boat but....
- the new motor needs to have the right length for the transom - check out this link to work out what length shaft you need for your boat.
- you need to get the right hp motor for your boat - figure on no less than 70% of the maximum rated load
- a different brand/era of motor than the original may require you to replace your steering components and controls, which can be a significant additional expense. If you are shopping for a used motor, try to find one that includes both cables and controls....and cables and controls that will fit your boat
- check to see that the mounting bracket for the new motor will mount through holes in the same location - if not, you may need to do a transom repair and drill new holes.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

What happened to the 1986 Bayliner?
1986 bayliner bass boat with 85 force

There's a few Stratos boat specs @iboats spec pages

What info are you looking for, exactly. Owner's manuals for the boat were pretty generic, non-specific info that wouldn't have wiring diagrams, service manual data or structural info in them.

The motor probably had a generic how-to description of operation pamphlet, but wouldn't have been a service manual either.

If the previous owner (PO) told me that he cracked the transom after hitting something w/ the motor, I'd believe him. W/out the weight & the leverage of an outboard, it may be VERY difficult to find additional damage or detect flex. Pix of the crack would help.........

 

[PJ_Jones]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

oh i believe him lol he had a evinrude 75hp with no tilt trim and he hit something and the motor kicked up and whacked the fiberglass on top of the transom making a crack in the thin fiberglass i will post pics tomorrow... as far as the motor im gonna get ive been looking at an 88 bayliner with a johnson gt 150
or an 89 astro with a merc xr4 150 both boats are 18ft and currently run well so ill have to pray on the controls or bust out the 300 for new ones lol... the hp rating for my boat is 115hp to 175hp so i figure a 150hp would do nicely...

 

[PJ_Jones]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

i do still have the bayliner this stratos was a good deal at 1000 with no motor aside from the motor its tournament ready

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

$1000 for a 1987(26 almost 27 yr old boat) with no motor and a Cracked Transom that you are NOT sure if the transom OR the stringers are Sound and Solid???? Hmmmm... I'm not sure I'd be investing more money in a motor just quite yet. I think I'd be ensuring that the boat was 100% Ready to go before I spent another Dime on it!!!

But Hey that's just me, and EVERYBODY KNOWS i'M just an

 

[PJ_Jones]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

the transom isnt cracked just some thin fiberglass on the top... it looks cosmetic this boat is in like new condition well worth the 1000 hell the trailer is worth almost 1000 lol ill post pics of it tomorrow

 

[PJ_Jones]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

ok here are some pics of transom and boat....




the crack is on the top above the transom plate, about an inch in past the plate. i can feel the surface where the crack is...to hit the transom i have to go back and down a few inches, there is no paint cracked anywhere all the seals are tight i figure if it was flexing id see some kind of paint spidering or discoloration...i can hang my 250 pound *** off of the engine mount rails and dont see anything happening i know thats not enough weight but its over half of an engines weight so so far so good im still going to take it to a local marina and let them have a look at it before adding the engine to be safe...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

Transom Plate??? If there's a Metal Plate on the Transom that's NOT Factory! It's usually a sign of a weak and rotting transom and the Plate has been added to re-enforce it. Impossible to tell from the Nighttime pics.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

I don't see a transom plate that's been added in your pix, but as WOG said, they don't show too much detail & are a bit dark.... Perhaps your talking about the motor setback bracket which does have metal plates that attach to the transom:

I know you can't see any movement in the transom hanging your weight off it, but IMHO that's a heckuva a crack.......

Perhaps the boat is in exceptional condition, well yeah, ya know, except the crack, but even w/ that manual setback bracket and a fairly nice trailer, $1K seems high. But that's not really a big deal, you're happy w/ the purchase price, and as the new owner, your opinion about that is the only 1 that matters.

Metal flake gelcoat isn't easy to match, so depending on how you fix the crack, that may be challenging.

Further inspection would be wise, and try to post some clear pix. That crack seems pretty severe to have been the only damage done to the boat.

 

[PJ_Jones]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

it doesnt have a metal plate inside its just thicker where the motor mount is thats what i meant when i said plate i can just feel where the reinforcement starts for it....now from what i know the whole top is one big cover piece from the transom to the bow thats whats cracked...ill try some more pics right now its cloudy out so not great lighting lol

 

[PJ_Jones]

Re: 1987 stratos 181p

here is another attemp at decent pics



you cant really tell but where the crack is its just a thin piece of fiberglass its just the upper shell that goes all the way around the boat
im guessing the crack was caused by the motor kicking up and something on the controls on the right side hit it because the crack is off centered and is a bit thicker right by that right side...this same happened in my old bayliner the only exception is on the bayliner that area was recessed where as the stratos is more flush with the top allowing the motor to kick up and avoid hitting the top...this is my opinion on what happened as the previous owner had stated his last trip out with it

the boat also included a motor guide trolling motor and a decent depthfinder a hot foot gas pedal new bilge and aerator pumps its pretty tight as long as this crack can be just sealed with no transom work
ive seen boats like this with motors 135hp to 175hp going for about 3000-4000 so getting the xr4 for 1000 and buying some me things ill be around the low end of that so i figure i did ok plus i love the boat lol