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I currently have a 1983 Outrage 18 with a 1999 Mercury 2 stroke 150 HP Bluewater Series. The motor is fine, but has 1,000 plus hours on it. A friend of mine has repowered his boat with a Yamaha 150 HP due to brand preference, and has offered me his 2011 Mercury Verado at a very attractive price. The Verado has 147 hours on it and two years of warranty left. I thought that this swap would be a no-brainer, but I have been reading where some say that the weight will be an issue. Does anyone have any pictures of the splash well area of their boat that shows the drains in this area? Does water come in? I want to do this deal, but not if I will have regrets later. Any help, advice, pics, ect will be welcomed.

Alot of the article that I have read mention that the the weight of the two 75 HP motors that many of these Outrages were outfit with are much heavier than a 150 HP four stroke.
My current motor weighs 398 pounds and the new motor is 510 pounds. Seems like a significant difference to me, but maybe not?

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It would be more like 525 pounds with the 25" Xtra Long Shaft.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=6

I had a pair of 70hp Evinrudes at 250 pounds each totaling 500 pounds.
http://users.sisqtel.net/jkriz/Outrag...age86.html

Still a lot of weight for a single motor.
The Verado 150 has only a CARB2 rating.
Not the cleanest of motors these days.
Any lakes around you that only allow CARB3 clean motors?

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Have 1 person who is ~ 120 lbs stand in the splashwell or sit on the engine cowl while docked with a full load of fuel and gear and look at the transom/drains.

If it were me and one goes out in the open ocean in snotty SCA conditions, with 3+ people, I would not do it.

One of my boats had a heavy motor on the transom (for that specific model) and I did not like it.

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I run this boat in salt water only, so lake restrictions will not be an issue. Did water come in the drain holes with the twins on your Outrage?

I will put one of my kids in the stern by the transom this weekend to get an idea of the weight, but would love to see some pics. I have read where some people say that there was little impact to the way the boat sits in the water, and others say that they had to add weight in the bow anchor compartment to try to even the boat. I do not want to miss an opportunity to re-power, but do not want to make a costly mistake. Beginning to think that I should stick with the two stroke

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I have no knowledge of the motors but, an old truck dealer I went to the auctions with once said "...getting these items is not how many years... it is not the age of the woman, but the shape she is in...". I prefer the lady I am with not one of the "younguns" I know nothing about. Repower with an engine of choice, not convenience.

Garris

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There are many varied opinions on this one. Add the additional weight to the transom or splash well of your boat, fill it with fuel, go for a spin and see if it will be a problem for your use.

FWIW, I'm in the "lighter is better" camp.