Engine Swap Tracker 120 by mercury to 200 Mercury Will it work?

casey.d

Cadet
Joined
Jul 15, 2013
Messages
10
Hi,
any input appreciated.

I have a 1998 21 foot SunTracker party deck... An all aluminum v hull deck boat, not the pontoon party barge.
The 120hp Tracker by mercury is blown and probably damaged midsection as well. Im looking at buying a 200hp mercury offshore 25" shaft model to put on it.

The boat is rated for 150hp,

can you go over some on the hp rating?

is the engine too heavy?

Will my commander 3000 series controls work with this engine also?
 

jbcurt00

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Oct 25, 2011
Messages
25,227
The boat is rated for 150hp,

can you go over some on the hp rating?
Depending on where you live and boat, it may be illegal to overpower your boat, each state has their own rules.

Regardless, the manufacturer rated it at 150hp for a reason. A 33% increase in hp over the stated max isn't wise, IMO, regardless of weight.........
 

wired247

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2011
Messages
1,557
If you arent running it wide open you arent putting out 200 HP. How often are you going to run a pontoon boat wide open? Pretty much never? A 200 and a 150 weigh the same thing. If you can get a 200 for a good price versus a 150 that you cant get for a good price put it on there and throw a 13-15 pitch prop on there and call it a day. If you are worried about the water cops throw 150 stickers on it. Just my opinion.
 

jbcurt00

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Oct 25, 2011
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Anybody want me to hold their beer?

I too might do some things that I wouldn't suggest someone else do. Nor would I post my 'Ok by me' in an open forum where someone else might stumble upon the idea and think they too could make it work.

NOTE: THIS IS SARCASM:
I'm sure it's purely marketing and collusion between boat and OB makers and the USCG hp max rating department to spend more of our money and ensure less fun when boating..............

NOTE: THAT ^^^ IS SARCASM

Good luck w/ your re-power Casey

Boat and boat resto safely
 

wired247

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2011
Messages
1,557
Anybody want me to hold their beer?

I too might do some things that I wouldn't suggest someone else do. Nor would I post my 'Ok by me' in an open forum where someone else might stumble upon the idea and think they too could make it work.

Good thing we all have prerogatives.
 

jbcurt00

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Oct 25, 2011
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Yep, and its ok to disagree w either the prevailing or dissenting view ;)
 
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