modify a tracker 1542 for comfort

slipsinker · Apr 7, 2013

Found a brand new coleman 5hp 4 stroke at close out for over 33 % off!! I was looking at 30 year old outboards pretty close to that price. I will eventually transfer this motor to my future Gheenoe 13. Still looking for a power plant to push this tracker at least 15 to 20 mph and an electric start.

Now for the grueling 10 hour break in period.

tnriverluver · Apr 7, 2013

15-20hp will get you the speeds you want. I have a 20hp merc 4 stroke on mine and after a lot of heavy weight adding mods along with 100lbs of gear, me and my 55lb Austrailian Sheperd am getting 26 mph. I put an old 1965 merc 9.8 on this boat when i first purchased it and with just me and no mods yet it would run probably 15mph and it did not run perfectly. For the price difference and no weight difference, buy a new 20hp over the 15 IMHO.

slipsinker · Apr 7, 2013

tnriverluver said:
15-20hp will get you the speeds you want. I have a 20hp merc 4 stroke on mine and after a lot of heavy weight adding mods along with 100lbs of gear, me and my 55lb Austrailian Sheperd am getting 26 mph. I put an old 1965 merc 9.8 on this boat when i first purchased it and with just me and no mods yet it would run probably 15mph and it did not run perfectly. For the price difference and no weight difference, buy a new 20hp over the 15 IMHO.

Tnriverluver thank you for the speeds and will be considered for the final buying decision. 20 hp seems to be the target motor for me . I do have a 9.8 merc that needs the lower unit rebuilt but is tough for me to pull. I probably will have the unit rebuilt and use it till i purchase a 20hp then put it on the market.

slipsinker · May 3, 2013

Really like these nylon tapping blocks for transducer mounting. Two 1/8 " diameter holes and ss sheet metal screws for attachment. Really saves the transom for hole repair when swapping out fish finders.