1977 SSV-176 Outboard options

[tjerzak]

Hi,
I have a 77' SSV-176 that I purchased a few years ago. It is as close to perfect as they come. Never seen rain, very few miles on it. The owner put a 1974 850 Merc on it and belive it or not it moves the boat along pretty well. I want to put something on it with a little more power, cleaner and efficiant. I have been searching for a newer Merc and have found a 125 1999 2 stroke that is in pretty good shape for around $2,500.00. The specs say the boat is rated for up to a 135. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what size and make would be a good fit? Does anyone have a used motor they want to sell? I recently was on a friends boat with a Evinrude that was 4 years old and the thing purred.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[79Merc140]

Re: 1977 SSV-176 Outboard options

Hello:

No matter what engind you put on (Mercs after 84) you will have to fill the mounting holes left by your 1974 850 and drill new holes for the new motor. In 1984, Mercury went to the same mounting bracket that everyone else was/is using. If possible, I would go with and inline 6 or a V-6 135. If possible stay away from the 100, 115, and 125 Merc inline 4's that run on 2 under 1800 RPM. They have a really rough area near where the other 2 come on line. It's been discussed several times in the Merc/Mariner section of the board.

Happy waters to you. Hope this helps.

Craig

 

[Plainsman]

Re: 1977 SSV-176 Outboard options

I have a 76 115 inline merc and it moves pretty good with a 19in prop on mine.

 

[87Aggie]

Re: 1977 SSV-176 Outboard options

I've got a '77 Johnson 140 hp on my '79 SSV-176. It gets up an goes real well!