23 CC Engine Mounting

Trey1096 · #1 09-09-2008, 01:08 PM

I’m looking for some advice on the repower of my 1974 23 SF. I know the subject has been beaten to death, but I’ve seen little dialogue on any mounting options besides bracket/no bracket.

Currently I have a pair of carbed Merc 2.4 200’s mounted on the transom. They’re pretty good motors, but they’re long in the tooth and very thirsty. I blew a head gasket earlier this year, and now the same engine has blown another head gasket. Since the season is winding down, a repower seems like a good thing to do over the winter.

I plan on hanging a ’04-’07 single 25" Merc on a jack plate. I’ve narrowed the engine down so all I have to do is decide 225 or 250, regular Opti or Pro XS. I plan on letting the best deal make the choice.

The thing I’m having a problem with is the jack plate. I was thinking of taking a hydraulic plate, mounting it so that fully down is where the engine needs to be for normal operation, and having the ability to raise the engine for shallow water operation.

I’ve looked the various brands and it seems that most have a 5” or 6” lift and the Porta Bracket has a 12” lift.

Will 5” or 6” be enough lift to really help shallow water operation? I’m not wanting to plane out, but I like to run in deeper water to a spot, then slowly ease into the grass flats. I’ve always tilted the engine, but that pushes the stern down and steering is aggravating.

Does anyone know of a “slide” type plate with more than 6” of lift?

The other option is a fixed or manually adjustable plate that’ll allow me to mount an engine with a 30” shaft.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks,

Trey

reelclassic · #2 09-09-2008, 09:17 PM

Id say if you want to fish the flats to get a flats boat!

Islandtrader · #3 09-10-2008, 07:53 AM

A professional Captain friend of mine has a 24' Avenger that he has a Porta Bracket on and has had for over 4 years. Loves the versatility. The only boat he charters.

Some one on the site here had a 23 with the porta bracket. You may want to do a search.

Good Luck.

Fr. Frank · #4 09-10-2008, 08:39 AM

The Porta-Bracket is EXACTLY what you are describing. It can be mounted to a transom with a standard cutout, and gives you amazing control over height and angle.

PS: The ProXS IS an Optimax motor, the difference between the two is the programming. The standard Optimax is 8-10% more fuel efficient than the ProXS, and 10-15% more efficient than any other equal power engine, according to my local Mercury dealer, (who runs an '07 ProXS 175 on his bass boat). He was having just this discussion with a customer over buying either the Zuke 250, the Verado 250, or the Optimax 250 for his 23 Coastal.
The Verado was the lowest priced motor by $600.
The Optimax the lightest weight by 80 lbs.
The Zuke had the longest warranty - 6 years. BTW, He bought the Zuke.

Trey1096 · #5 09-10-2008, 02:11 PM

I’ve got a couple of other boats that I use when planning on fishing shallow water, but I live near Atlanta so I have to plan trips.
Sometimes the weather might not cooperate so we have to stay closer to shore.
Also, there are places that I go to catch bait that you have to get through some pretty shallow water to get to.
Also, the water gets pretty skinny at a few places we like to pull up to the shore.
It’s not just a fishing thing, it seems that it would improve the all around capabilities of the boat.

I like the lift of the Porta Bracket, but I’m not crazy about the moment it would put into the transom and the fact that the pump is separate and mounts in the boat.

I’d not thought a lot about the additional fuel usage by the XS engines. One of the big reasons for the repower is fuel. I have read somewhere (on the net so you know it’s true) that the 250XS puts out around 245hp so, logically, it would have to use more fuel.

I think I’ve pretty much decided on a standard 225 Opti.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Suzuki’s, but I’ve also heard from one person that the service in our area isn’t stellar. Anyone else around Atlanta with a Zuke?

Trey

reelclassic · #6 09-12-2008, 09:47 AM

TurfTime (from this site) Lives near atlanta as well and is always looking for someone to fish with him on his 23....You should try to contact him. Everytime he plans a trip to the gulf it falls through!

WillyC · #7 09-12-2008, 01:43 PM

Just a heads up. There's an 07 225 optimax on the hulltruth with all controls, wiring harness, oil tank and ss prop for $9500. It only has 40 hrs. Might be worth checking out. -will

Trey1096 · #8 09-22-2008, 08:32 PM

I just bought the 225 Opti on THT.

The deal contains everything except gauges and the prop. I didn’t want the non-SmartCraft gauges and the prop is a 15x13. My dealer said the engine would be an ‘08 if Merc still used year models, and it’s got a warranty till 2013.

The only thing now, do I use a jack plate, or build up the transom for the 30” engine?

The transom didn’t have any flex when I stood on the engines, but I’m going to drill a few holes to check for water. If it’s dry I’ll go with a jack plate. If it’s wet, I have to be a little more invasive.

Trey