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I need some comments on my recent purchase. I have a 1985 all original 18 outrage with a 150 omc sea drive (that needs to be rebuilt). My dilemma is a local marine shop owner has a newly rebuilt 150 omc with the same transom bracket(which would be quick and cheaper)$2500.00 to be on the water. My gut and others say repower with a new 150hp outboard. What should i do?? I have to do some transom work as seen on other whaler central posts, and use a jack to mount an expensive engine. Is the boat worth it?? I paid $3200.00 for the boat and a dual axle galvanized trailer, the boat is in good shape with a little TLC.. appreciate any comments.

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Have your read this article by ratherwhalering?

http://www.whalercentral.com/readarti...icle_id=49

I'd say you got a great deal at $3200.00
If you plan on keeping the boat, a new engine of your choice would be a big plus.
If you plan on selling the boat in a year or two, then a good used engine would work.

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Tommygun,
Unless the boat is completely trashed I'd say you got a good deal on the hull & trailer. Are all the parts there? At the low price you purchased the Outrage & trailer for, you could invest more dollars into it and still not go over what the eventual value of the boat will be.

I'd say get rid of the sea drive & motor, do yourself or have someone do the transom work needed to fill the holes once the Sea Drive is removed, slap a jackplate on it with a new or newer motor.

Where are you at in Michigan? Do you have any photographs of the Whaler? There are a lot of knowledgeable Whaler People in and around Michigan that can give you advice, help, and/or steer you in the right direction.

Pat Henahan

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Tommy,

For the price you paid you got a good deal. I would remove the seadrive as finding parts for those motors is impossible. If anything fails in the steering or tilt/trim you have to find a donor motor to scavenge parts from. Get the motor off, fix the transom, and get a bracket / or jack plate. You can see here is another converted sea drive model with a stainless steal marine bracket.

I would look for a good used motor first and only go with a new motor if you plan to keep the boat for a long time. If you are any were near the Detroit area you need to talk to Dave Zammitt at Lockemans about your motor options. He is by far the best sales and service OMC/BRP dealer you will find any where.