Will I Be Underpowered

[jonjonbrwstr]

First time posting, thanks for having me.
Was wonder, I have a 97 Champion 202 and it has a Merc 200 efi on it that lost a cylinder. Having to repower, my local repair shop has a 03 merc 150 for a decent price. The Boat weighs roughly 1,500 dry. Would this boat be underpowered by alot or would i be fine?

Oh and I bought the boat and engine cheap so i knew the motor was junk.. but having a great price on the lot was a no brainer..


Thanks

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

:welcome: to iboats, it wont be as fast, or plane as quick

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Use your boat/engine combo with 30-35% less passengers than max transom rated for, for boat to plane faster and compensate less HP engine when giving full throttle from dead water stop.-

Happy Boating

 

[JimS123]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Back in the day when a 150 was the biggest they made, we all would have thought we were in heaven with a motor like that on a 1500# rig. But today when people talk "performance" all they think about is speed.

If you want a nice boat and your main intention is NOT needing to impress the neighbors, then you'll be fine. All you need to do is fit it with a good (the right) prop.

 

[jonjonbrwstr]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Hey guys thanks for the replies. Not worried really about the speed of the boat just solid performance i guess... Thanks again

 

[jimmbo]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

It wouldn't be underpowered. Have you compared the price of a rebuild to the 'decent price" 150?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

I don't know your hull and that makes all the difference, but I have a 150 on a heavy deep V 21' and it is fine. But like most coastal boaters, top speed is not important as we seldom run wot for any distance. My 150 goes a comfortable 30 mph just as fast as a 200 would.

 

[achris]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

What's the cost of repair to the 200? I'd be very surprised if it's more than a replacement engine. Are you sure the dealer hasn't pumped the repair cost just to off-load an engine sitting on the rack? It is the end of the season remember....And you'd be going from EFI (a nice resale item to have) to a carb (I assume as you didn't say EFI)...

Just saying....

Chris.......

 

[jonjonbrwstr]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

He priced the rebuild of the 200 at 3 Grand. The 150 he priced at 5,000.. Hes a bargain kind of guy so im trading another boat i have and the 200 for the 150 even trade, dunno how even of a trade it will be for me but i fish all year around ... Saves me time and money out of pocket... I'll have to check on that 150 alittle more.. Just kinda in the first stages of talking with the guy.. Also id like to throw this dunno if its off the forum topic or not but the 200 came with a 25p tempest 3 blade.. Has anyone heard if that would even work on the 150 properly? Thanks for all the replies, makes my day to see your insights.

 

[achris]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

It's the same gearbox on both engines. As to whether the 150 has the guts to spin a 23" prop (at the correct rpm, on that boat), that will only be known when you try it.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Over the last twenty or so years I ran three different 19’ Grady Whites (2000#boat) powered by outboards of 150, 175, and 200 all by different manufacturers. Had a few hundred hours in each of them and to tell the truth I never noticed a lot of difference except for a few mph at full throttle..

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

I have a 1600 pound Manatee cuddy cabin powered with a Force 150. With 2 people she will top 40 and with four, just hit it. The Merc 150 is a strong engine and you will not be underpowered. You will certainly be able to tube and wakeboard and you definitely will be able to pull a skier on two skis. A skilled slalom skier should be able to deepwater behind it too.

However, My mantra is: Too much horsepower is never enough. You really need triple 150s LOL

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Gee, My SeaSwirl 21' DC weighs in at 2700 and has a 150HPV6 outboard. Performance is fine. To speed is about 40MPH. Acceleration is just fine.....

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Just bear in mind that a lot of people are not worried about the speed or power initially...then wish they had the extra a little later on. Personally I think you will be fine though.
Good Luck with it.

 

[boobie]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

What's the boat rated for horse power wise ??

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

Yea to some more HP is always the goal, and I'm in agreement. I'd go for the 150 to save fuel, and it should still get you around the lake just fine. Maybe not the fastest, but 150 is still a ton!!!

Heck I have a 90 on my 19 foot tin.

 

[limitout]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

looking around I found comments about older champion 202's from 97-00 years being rated for "200-275hp" and the newer ones for any v6 outboard so I guess its whatever they make now 350hp maybe? the comments said nothing changed they just didnt have the 300+ hp bigger engines back then to list them that high but I don't know how accurate that is.

I think you might be able to get away with a 150hp but I think it will be noticeably under powered. what that really means is hard to say since all boats are different in weight and how they cut through the water so while it will be slower its hard to say for sure if you will notice it or if it will have any trouble planning off.

if it were me I wouldn't put anything less then the minimum hp rating of 200hp back on it

from what I have seen on most of them for sale is they all have 225hp motors on them

talk to the guy and ask if he has a 225 you can make a deal on or just have him fix your 200 and make the trade difference in a shop credit with him. im sure you will be getting him to do your maint and stuff so over time it works in your favor. I just wouldn't pay more to move down to a smaller motor, no ifs ands or buts about it.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Will I Be Underpowered

That V-6 150 will be just fine. Get her propped right and she will surprise you.