Re-power or buy new boat...in a dilemma
 

At a cross roads about now. I have a 21' Stratos bay boat with a 200hp Ocean Runner. Motor runs great but gettin' on 12 years old. This boat get used around 10-15 times a year. Before trouble starts up, I'm thinking on a re-power in a 225hp; an E-Tec or Merc. Looks to be in the 15-17,00.00 price range. The boat is in pristine condition, new 24v Minkota, trailer in good shape with new brackets and brakes.

Should i just sell this rig in the $7,000 range and buy new or stick a new motor on boat. If going the new boat route, thinking on a Stirling, Haynie or Blackjack. I really, really don't like the idea of throwing 60,000 on a new boat, but if a re-power doesn't make financial sense then I'll bite the bullet...

Any opinions one way or the other,would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sell it and buy a newer used boat. One a year or two old. There's some good deals out there

If you are happy with your boat and there is nothing you dont like about it then I dont see a reason to change hulls. I personally have heard too many bad things about e-tecs to ever own one. Some people love em but I'm only speaking from what I have heard from people I know. Are you thinking two stroke or 4 stroke merc?

Before you repower, go over and under hull with a fine tooth comb and make sure you don't have any soft spots or wood rotting in hull somewhere

If you have the money to buy a different boat used is the way to go. I picked up a 24' triton w/ a suzuki 250 with less than 100 hrs for about 25k less than the sticker price

Sounds like u got a great deal Bob

Meaux, the only negative is the high gunnels which catch the wind making it a fast drift boat...and I'm leaning toward the 2 stroke version hence the Etec

Cheif, just took the boat to have minor gel coat blemishes re-finished; hull checked out great....

I'm skeptical of buying used....unless its a dealer demo type of boat.

Optimax is a much better motor in every way over the etec. Way easier to find parts and mechanics willing to work on it. Opti also gets better fuel mileage and power. Forget the hype on evinrudes commercial .

^^^^^^^
This

Thanks for the input guys!
Montauk or other Merc owners, how salt water tolerant is the Opti as compared to the Etec? Even that ol OceanPro has some salt water issues...BTW, I'm still not sold on 4 strokers ..I feel better w/ a 2stroke. How dependable are those Mercs? I know they're fast but will they start up when I need it the most. I fish some very obscure reefs that don't see many if any other people out there..i need dependability.....#1 priority for me.

My 225 ProXS is still new but it's first crank everytime and performance and economy is great.
I will own more Merc XS motors, I was skeptical at first but couldn't be happier now.
Heard to many horror stories with the E-Techs I would not go that route.
PM SGib I think his has been in and out of the shop and is still fairly new

Just let me know when you are fishing those reefs and I will follow you out there just incase you run into problems ;)

You should be fine with the optimax... I dont think I've really ever heard anything bad about em

Hey meaux, I fish during the week...always lookin for a partner to go with..your welcome to come along anytime. When the waters clear up I'll give ya a heads up w/pm..hope you can make it on a short notice. Only go when wind and tides work best. Tired of beating up my old back on bad weather days!

OK...you guys talked me into the Merc. However, I'm still not a 100% on re-power. I guess the small amount I use the boat re-power seems the most logic choice. I fish with my Bro-in-law quite a bit in his boats, one in BL and the other at the Point..sure is nice having those boats already on the water!

Oh and Salty thanks for that rec on Merc lookin up the specs on motor as we speak..i will pm SGib..thanks.

Call GAW, see: http://www.saltycajun.com/forum/show...light=sterling

I believe he has a new one coming in the next few weeks. Good luck.

Been seeing that boat for quite a while on different sites. Bad arse lookin rig! Thanks

Any lower unit issues with the Opti? What lower unit should I request? I deal with Redmond and Master Marine in Lafayette, any other I should look into for Mercs in this area?

My neighbor has a recent model 23'(I think) Kenner with a new 4stroke Suzuki 250 and I think it's a ladies that had a husband pass and I think she will take around 25k for it.

Pm sent my friend!

Yeah hit me up I run a cattle farm so my schedule can be pretty flexible sometimes

Thanks for your insight SGib!

Thinking real hard about this I came to realization that a cheap ol' outboard motor would be an easy sell to my boss (wife) than a brand new boat! I will sacrifice the euphoria of a new boat for the sensible option of a new outboard. Besides she'll never notice that I changed a white Johnson for a black Mercury anyway (not kidding!)...thats how much she notices and pay attention to my outdoor toys!

A new fish finder might be in order sense I'm saving so much money; I need one up front on trolling motor....maybe a stereo would be a nice feature.........it never ends....

Sounds logical to me