175 tested and proven!

[graphicjunkie]

I've been trying to get this Evinrude 175 working on my boat. After a couple of different attempts to 'jimmy rig' up the throttle and shift linkage to just test it out..I finally got it working today. I took it to the lake to test it out. First I just sat there and let the boat float in the marina. I wanted to ensure that my transom wasn't going to leak since I had to drill holes to mount this engine and seal everything up. After about a half hour of sitting there, no water was noticeable in the under chamber of the transom area. So I ventured out into open water. The engine fires over so smooth, and quickly. With my stock 125, it takes a little bit of rpm's to get the boat going. I barely put the 175 in gear and the boat lurched forward. It actually startled me. AWESOME! That would obviously need to be fine tuned when the correct controls are put on. I brought the boat up to about maybe 10 knots or so. Did some maneuvering around sweeping turns stop and go...just simple tests to see how the boat worked with this motor. Then I did a couple of smaller launches as if pulling up a skier. This motor hits so much harder at mid throttle than my 125 does at WOT it's INSANE! I never did get it to full throttle though. My linkage connections consisted of black tape and zip ties...and the throttle zip tie broke. (Hey, it was JUST to test it!!) So I had to limp the boat back to the ramp. Time to go home.
Now I know it's time to invest in the right controller for spring.

I know that 175 is no water rocket and many of you have way more power...but since I got the engine for free with the trailer, I'm REALLY excited about it. If for nothing more than resell value, the 'rude will be more tantalizing than the force.