175 - 185

[Tom Warren]

I am a current Pro-Combo 16 owner. No problems with the boat but realistically 90% of the time I fish. Sooo I am looking at a 175 - 185 series. I would like to go with a 4 stroke engine if possible. I don't see many people making that choice here however. The biggest issue I see is the lack of a high HP 4 -stroke. I went to the Mercury site to figure out why and it is the engine weight. A 90hp two stroke is almost the same weight as the 60HP 4-stroke.



Ok here's the list.



1. Is the extra 1 foot of the 185 really worth it?

2. The leaking problem is a little scary...should it be?

3. Should I go with the 60 4 stroke or 90 2 stroke?

4. Going from the V-16 will I not like the ride of the semi-v?

 

[Rich Stern]

Tom, I have the Merc 60 FS on a pontoon boat, and it's a great motor. Easy starting, quiet and fuel efficient.



But, the difference in get-up-and-go between a 60 and a 90 is huge. They are in two different leagues. The 90 will feel fast, while the 60 will feel only adequate.

 

[Barry Loos]

Tom: Like Worb, I own a 2001 PT 175 SE but with a 40 hp 2 cycle. I don

 

[Jim B]

I have a buddy who owns a 185 proteam and he really likes it. it runs rough stuff pretty good but you will get a little wet sometimes. he hasent been afraid to go out on winni with it alot and its very roomy. are you looking to buy right away ? if your going to wait his may be for sale at the end of the season. He has fallen in love with my nx882 and i think he might buy one.

 

[Marke Cicero]

tom,



I was in your shoes last year. Looking at PT185 with 90hp upgrade.

I don't know how fixed your budget is BUT, the TV-18 is soooo much more boat the little bit of money difference.



There is NO leaking problem. It has a deep V hull, so no concerns there. With the 90hp I'm running 45 on the speedo and 41 with partner and full load.



If that is out of range, then I recommend going with the 185. It's more than a foot longer, it's also wider, has higher weight capcity, more storage, larger fuel tank,etc...the list goes on. Get the biggest you can comfortably afford and you will never say.. "I wish I got the bigger one".



Marke

 

[Mark Hofman]

Amen to what Marke said. The TV-18 would be a perfect replacment for your sixteen footer, especially with a 90 or a 115. Your ride will be smoother, you'll have more storage, you can comfortably fish three people and the list goes on and on. All for around $14K with the 90. And mine hasn't leaked (yet)!

 

[Andrew Zuber]

Ditto to what both Marke and MOfish said...

Only one change I would suggest...either stay with the stock 75hp on the TV-18 or upgrade to the 115...stay away from the 90...



az

 

[Max Durbin]

Tom, I just purchased a PT 175 in March with a 40 hp 4 EFI stroke. I have had it on the water only 7 times so I don't have the motor broke in yet. It starts right off and is very quit. I don't think it is going to have as much power as a 40 2 stroke but it is very fuel efficient. I friend of mine has a 40 2 stroke on a PT 175 and he said its top speed is about 28 mph. I am told that my top speed should be about 30 mph. This is my first real boat so take it for what it is worth. If you want to know more after I get it broke in e-mail me any time and I will give you a up date. I should have it broke in next week because I am on vacation and plan to have it out everyday. Good luck, Max.

 

[Tom Warren]

Oh boy I thought I had it narrowed down to a PT 175 or PT185. Now you guys have me scoping the TV-18!!! By the way I am a Tracker fan but I do have some concenrns about having to caulk a brand new boat and/or having issues with water entering the livewell drain.



How does a boat building company miss the fact that a boat LEAKS? Am I expecting too much to have the water on the outside of the boat?



You all seem to be ok though..maybe I am just over-reacting?

 

[TrepMan]

Tom - I've got the 2000 PC 175 (that's Pro Crappie, same hull as the 2000 PT 175 but not as wide or welded as the new PT 175/185's) and power her buy a 2 cylinder Merc 40 HP, she'll do an honest 31mph on my GPS with me and a light load and 28 with 2 of us an all our gear. Great boat, not ONE leak anywhere (except when I forget to put the plug in LOL).



You didn't mention if $$ is an issue or not, if it's not then by all MEANS get the TV18 with the 150 OptiMax! or any other engine as the gang above mentions.



If you stay in the 175/185 ball park, what's the draw to the 4 strokes? do you live in an area (like CA) where they either are or will soon require them and not let you run a 2 stroke? I'm and NO motorhead so can't speak to performance or technicals on the motors, but my view has been get the most bang for the buck that you can afford. A 60 4stroke will be a lot slower than a 90 2cycle. BUT if you're not planning on going that far or that fast and want a quieter cleaner engine then the 60 4stroke will do you fine.



Of course if the get the 60 and a few months later decide you really want the 90 2 stroke, you can always donate the slighly used 60 to the Trepper HP foundation and i'll happily use it for 10 years or more!! LOL

 

[TrepMan]

Tom - I've got the 2000 PC 175 (that's Pro Crappie, same hull as the 2000 PT 175 but not as wide or welded as the new PT 175/185's) and power her buy a 2 cylinder Merc 40 HP, she'll do an honest 31mph on my GPS with me and a light load and 28 with 2 of us an all our gear. Great boat, not ONE leak anywhere (except when I forget to put the plug in LOL).



You didn't mention if $$ is an issue or not, if it's not then by all MEANS get the TV18 with the 150 OptiMax! or any other engine as the gang above mentions.



If you stay in the 175/185 ball park, what's the draw to the 4 strokes? do you live in an area (like CA) where they either are or will soon require them and not let you run a 2 stroke? I'm and NO motorhead so can't speak to performance or technicals on the motors, but my view has been get the most bang for the buck that you can afford. A 60 4stroke will be a lot slower than a 90 2cycle. BUT if you're not planning on going that far or that fast and want a quieter cleaner engine then the 60 4stroke will do you fine.



Of course if the get the 60 and a few months later decide you really want the 90 2 stroke, you can always donate the slighly used 60 to the Trepper HP foundation and i'll happily use it for 10 years or more!! LOL

 

[Tom Warren]

Yup $$$$ is a concern. I mostly run on a small lake in NH. Its only about 5-6 miles from end to end. Once in a while I will take it out to Sebago lake (much larger) maybe 2-3 times a year. I was hoping to run the 4 stroke because it is so much quieter, cleaner, and more fuel efficient. I have seen a few Honda 4 strokes on the lake and you would barely know the engines were running they were so quiet. I like the idea of the wide open platforms of the pt 185. I fish with some big guys from time to time and i am the lightweight at 215lbs!!! Scary huh?



I think you all are right...I am probaly worried about nothing with the caulking issue...thanks BOYZ!!!



I'll let you all know what I pick!



If there is anything else I should know..fire away.

 

[TrepMan]

Tom - You've already got a boat, so you know to make a list of all the options you currently have and REALLY want on a new boat so you can add those into the price estimates to make sure you stay within budget. Remember stuff like front fish finder, SPARE tire with mount, and anything else you want thrown in that you can negotiate while your there.



Good luck and let us know what the decision is!

 

[CJ Extrom]

Tom, i have the 185 with the 90 2 stroke and it's fast.

It's stable and can take a beating i love it. We put a 9.9 next to the 90 with all the controls and it's great. The extra 1' is in the middle and it make's a big difference. Good luck.

 

[Raye Jarrett]

Tom, I have a PT-175 w/40hp Merc. I didn't by the 185 because:#1 wouldn't fit in the garage, #2 insurance is more on an 18'boat here in North Carolina. I've run in some pretty rough stuff, mostly got some spray, but no waves breaking over the sides. With myself and my oldest son we can run about 25 with all our gear. Most of the lakes here are dam controlled and fed by rivers and creeks. The shallow draft of the PT-175 allows us to go way up into the creeks until it is shallow enough to wade in. I've owned mine since 1998, it is the Anniversary edition. It is great on gas, and easy starting. Just follow the break-in procedure using the double oil. I've not had the water-leak problems on the gunnels, but might consider caulking mine just to be safe.

 

[Sam Elkins]

CJ, I have the 185 w/90 also. Would be interested in seeing some photo's of the 9.9 rigging if you could. Thinking of doing that myself. The 185 with the 90 is a great combination. I love it.