Alumacraft Tournament Sport 175

[SLduck]

Well the boat is ordered. 175 Tourney Sport, 135 Opti and 9.9 Bigfoot Merc. Putting Minnkota AP on front. Looking forward to taking delivery. Also looking forward to tournament style boat. I had a Crestliner Fish/Ski. This boat is going to be more fish friendly as I fish eyes, smallies and skis in that order My little boy cannot wait to go fishing. Question is what is break-in like on the Opti?

[TS175_175]

SLduck, I just took delivery of my TS175 last Friday. I ordered it with the 175 h.p. Opti. My "little boy" (23) and I took it out for the first time yesterday. This is our second Optimax. Obviously I really like the engine. As far as break-in. Do it according to the manual. For the first hour, 3000-4500 rpm, vary engine speeds about every two minutes, avoid trimming out beyond vertical position, short bursts of full throttle for periods up to 10 seconds are acceptable:-). For the next thee hours change engine speed every 10 minutes.
Did you get the Smart Gauges or Smart Monitor ? I had the monitor on my last boat and really liked it. It tells rpm, engine temp, hours, trim setting, and several other things. I thought they were standard on the Opti, my dealer and Merc said they were an option. I ordered the Smart Monitor for another $208.00 it should be here this week.
We really like the boat, it rides like a dream and is fairly responsive for the size and mass. One thing I didn't realize, I was concerned that the windshield wouldn't fit under my 7' garage door. That cleared no problem, the width was what nearly got me. My garage door is 9' wide and I had about 2 inches on each side. Kinda hairy backing in and pulling out. Have fun, be careful, write back with questions. Tom

[SLduck]

Tom, What length is your garage? Do you have a swing tongue on your trailer? Thanks for the info on the garage width as we are in the process of buying a different house.

[TS175_175]

SLduck, my garage depth is 28'. I am guessing there is about 3' in back and about 1.5' in front of the boat. And no I don't have the swing tongue but I do have brakes on the trailer, and I think that makes it a little longer because of the actuator and master cylinder. Talk to you later. Tom

[Eric]

SLduck

That's the exact boat and motor package I'm looking at. Just wondering what type of trailer your putting under the boat. Also curious as to your dealers opinion of the 135 Opti pushing that boat. Also wondering if you'll share what boat/motor/trailer price was less the kicker. I'd be going with a T-8.

Thx

Eric

[Jim]

Curious why you chose the 175 and not the 185. Seems very little
difference in price. Also would anyone know if a tandem trailer is
required for the 185. Nice unit. Thanks

[SL Duck]

Wanted the 185. I got a great deal on a 135 Opti and felt I needed the 150 Opti for the 185. This was going to be $3000. Also the hull is additional $1000. Storage also was an issue and with a foot difference in length the 175 would store easier.

[Badger 05]

As far as interior space goes, the 185 and the 175 aren't that different. The additional length is only in the rear area (from the console back) they didn't make the front deck any larger which is where I would want the space. No additonal storage or anything. I measured both and decided on the TP175. I thought hard about the 185 just because it should handle rough water better.

Fishing is: One jerk waiting for another jerk at the end of his line.

[SL Duck]

Eric, Sorry I missed your question. The 135 Opti is 77% to max. It is a strong 135 however and according to other test I have read is actually 143HP which is 82% to max. Pricing was was $19500 less the kicker.