Trophy 185 and suzuki 140?

[LMac99]

Hi all,

I appreciate all the posts, I've searched and searched and learned a LOT. I do have a couple specific questions for the boat experts out there..

I'm in the process of just trying to figure out exactly what I want before I actually buy something. I've been looking used for a while, and may just end up going new. Those nice used boats sure sell fast..

Anyways, I think I've narrowed my search down to either an Alumacraft Trophy 185 or a Starcraft 180 superfisherman (I'm leaning Alumacraft at this point -- I like the idea of supporting an independent manufacturer building boats in MN). I want it rigged with a Suzuki/Johnson outboard.

Question -- do you think the 140 hp would be a good all around engine for this boat? Would it be worth the $$ to upgrade to the 150 hp? I know that is the next bigger size block..will the 150 troll just as slow as the 140, or are they both too big to really use trolling? I also want to be able to pull an adult skier with 2-3 adults in the boat. I don't really care too much about top end, as long as it's somewhere in the upper 30's to low 40's.

Thanks in advance!

[ejj]

It depends on the skier. Are they solid? Then no problem. Are they starting with two skis? No problem. If it is a decent sized guy on one ski, he will have to work a bit. I'm 6'3", and I grew up skiing behind an 85. Lighter boat no doubt. Top end will never be a problem--rec skiers rarely like it much over 30mph. My (small) wife skis at 26 mph. Pulling them out of the hole is the issue.

[went522]

Both the 140 and 150 will troll to fast without trolling bags. I went from a 18.5' foot boat with a 140 johnsuki to a 18.5' boat with a F150...noticable difference in hole shot, top end and cruising speed. Keep in mind the 140 suki isn't exactly a strong 140, it makes less HP than 140. Many love the reliablity, quietness and how it sips gas, but it's not a "strong" motor. Lots of suzuki 140 lovers out there though.

As far as skiing, the 140 worked ok for us. That said, one ski out of the hole....better be a VERY good skier to get up and no weight in the boat. 2 skis, not much of a problem, but not a speed demon out of the hole. I propped down when I knew I'd be pulling skiers, knee boards and tubes. Not a issue, a couple minutes and the prop was swapped out, just had to watch the rpms. I used a 19 for fishing and a 17 for skiing, could have even gone to a 15. With 2-3 adults in the boat and a skiier, a must to prop down...it's a big load for that 140.

Now, with 150HP...don't HAVE to swap props, the 21 works ok. But if I am planning a full day of watersports, boat full and adults that want to slalom, knee board, etc...I swap to a 19, it just works better.

I'd opt for the 150HP+, you'll be happier in the long run especially if you ski. That's my opinion after owning motors in both HP classes on the same size rig.

BIRDDOG

[Senderofan]

Big difference in engine size between the 140 and the 150. The 140 is a 2 liter and the 150 is a 3 liter. The 150...I think is the biggest four cylinder on the market. The next model up...the DF 175 is a very nice...it's got variable valve timing...I'm sure it is a torque monster. If the boat is rated for it...I'd spend a little more for the 150 or 175.

Good Luck,

Wayne

[Burr]

Hi all,

I appreciate all the posts, I've searched and searched and learned a LOT. I do have a couple specific questions for the boat experts out there..

I'm in the process of just trying to figure out exactly what I want before I actually buy something. I've been looking used for a while, and may just end up going new. Those nice used boats sure sell fast..

Anyways, I think I've narrowed my search down to either an Alumacraft Trophy 185 or a Starcraft 180 superfisherman (I'm leaning Alumacraft at this point -- I like the idea of supporting an independent manufacturer building boats in MN). I want it rigged with a Suzuki/Johnson outboard.

Question -- do you think the 140 hp would be a good all around engine for this boat? Would it be worth the $$ to upgrade to the 150 hp? I know that is the next bigger size block..will the 150 troll just as slow as the 140, or are they both too big to really use trolling? I also want to be able to pull an adult skier with 2-3 adults in the boat. I don't really care too much about top end, as long as it's somewhere in the upper 30's to low 40's.

Thanks in advance!

With the criteria you've mentioned, and what you have listed as important and not so important, the 140 Suzuki will work fine for ya. I'm not sure if the Johnzuki is geared different than the Suzuki, but it must be given the comments from Birddog. He's proven himself to be very knowledgeable over the years. However, a friend of mine has the 140 on his 18.5' Alumacraft (although it is a TP and not a Trophy) and he trolls down nicely without bags. The Suzuki's have always been good for trolling down, and hole shot. The above TP tops out at @ 42 mph, so that fits into your criteria. Having a bit less power, and a lower pitched prop will serve you well when it comes time to troll.

Your desire to also pull skiers is something Propman on here would be good to ask what the better prop would be. I suspect a 4-5 blade prop with more surface area will allow you to pull the skiers out of the hole a bit better, and if it means loosing a pitch or two, you'll gain on the trolling speed end of things too. Win/win.

From what you list as important, the 140 will work fine on that boat. Now, that doesn't mean if the 150 is the same price.... I doubt they're the same price, the 140 will meet what you want to do, and save a few dollars in the process.

[bob1]

My only suggestion is this; if you find the 140 is not enough after buying it, it will cost a lot more to upgrade from there. You would lose too much to trade the 140 in.

If it is not a ton more money, I would go with the bigger motor.

Bob

[bob1]

If the dealer is big enough, maybe he would let you test drive both motors?

[Shorelunch]

I had a 140 on an 1800 Lund Fisherman. It was a good motor, but if I could do it over, it would absolutely have a 150 on the back. I think the 140 is actually closer to a 130 if I remember.

[SkarMN75RBLS]

The upside to having a 140 is that it is more capable of trolling down. But a 150 will definitely give you more power and higher speeds. It's just what you would rather prefer.

[AllenW]

fwiw I have a 2007 Alumacraft TS with a 150 Yammie on it, the set up works very nice and I doubt it'd have any trouble pulling a skier, it will troll down fairly well considering the size, but not to do things like jigging or slow death style of speeds.
I use a T-8 kicker for my trolling, and a bow mount for jigging and such.

Pretty happy with the Yammie and boat both.

Like said, if you come up a little short with the 140, going to cost a lot to upgrade.

Al