1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

[Tony T.]

I found a 1995 21' Suntracker FB/with single axle "tracker" trailer "for sale". It has a 70hp Force engine that has a bad power head. I have not seen it yet in person, but the guy sent me several blown up pics to view. The boat is in pretty decent shape other then needing carpet according to his pics.

I do have a 1985 75hp Mariner 4cyl 2-stroke outboard that I could use on the Suntracker, Could any you guys give me a heads-up on any problems I could run into by swapping out the motors " as far as hooking up the steering cable, controls, etc. Would the 70hp Force and 75 Mariner possibly share the same set up control wise since they are Mercury made?

Thanks

Tony

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

Although the controls may work for your Mariner, I doubt it due to the age difference. Others may know for sure but you really need to look closely at each motor.

And I assume you know you are in for some major work with the engine swap and carpet. And with the swap you are being pushed around the lake with a 26 year old motor.

Good luck with your decision and report back often.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

I think the motor will "plug and play". Merc bought Force in the 90's and by 95 they had changed the controls and wiring over to Merc stuff. The issue may be if the 85 has controls and wiring as new as the Force.

Check with a dealer or post in the Merc section, but I think the swap will work as far as your controller and wiring harness goes, which is half the work.

I've swapped motors on several boats and I don't think it is that big a task. The carpet on the other hand is a big PITA. Grab the boat, do the swap, and get 'tooning. Save the carpet for a winter project.

 

[Tony T.]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

I called a friend of mine today and got a phone number for a boat mechanic that he uses. I'm going to see what he may say about the swap,age difference as you guys mentioned may not make it work for sure. I'm suspose to meet with the seller on Saturday to look the pontoon over. I'm going to look at my 75hp Mariner motor over good tomorrow and try to compare it with the 95yr 70hp Force motor. It would be ok with me if I got lucky and everything hooked right up, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks for the replies

Tony

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

Tony, ensure that the Mariner is a long shaft (20"). A regular 15" version will give you a lot of grief with prop ventilation. Plan on a prop swap as well. Usually a pontoon will need a 11p-15p. Moving away from the Force motor is a good thing IMHO. Good luck with the swap.

 

[Tony T.]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

Tony, ensure that the Mariner is a long shaft (20"). A regular 15" version will give you a lot of grief with prop ventilation. Plan on a prop swap as well. Usually a pontoon will need a 11p-15p. Moving away from the Force motor is a good thing IMHO. Good luck with the swap.

Ray

I did not think about the motor being long or short shaft,so I went over to my shop this morning and done some measuring. My transome measures 20" right next to where the motor bracket is bolted to the transome.

I read here in the last day or two to measure from the top of the motor bracket (underneath where the bracket hooks to transome) to the bottom of the cavaition plate to determine shaft lenght. I measured that on my motor and come up with 20".
So I'm like 80% sure I have the long shaft on my 1985 Mariner 75hp motor. As you can tell I'm not 100% because some say measure from bottom of the powerhead to the skeg, but this website I got on says this is wrong measurment.

Tony

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

You're probably OK, but to be sure, compare it to the length of the Force. Also, check the serial number. Later models had an L in the number signifying long shaft. Possibly yours does as well.

 

[Tony T.]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

You're probably OK, but to be sure, compare it to the length of the Force. Also, check the serial number. Later models had an L in the number signifying long shaft. Possibly yours does as well.

My wife spoke to the seller yesterday and told him I was doing some measuring on my Mariner motor,so he measured his and told her he was showing 27 inches, but he was measuring from transome brackets to center of prop housing.

I called him and told him to measure from transome brackets to cavitation plate and he came up with 20". So I using his first measurement wanted to see what my motor measured from transome brackets to center of prop housing and I'm showing the same 27".

I checked my serial number on the 1985 Mariner and show no lettering in the serial number,maybe that was for the later model motors.

Tony

 

[Tony T.]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

I ended up buying the 21ft Suntracker, I swapped out the motors already, but have not hooked up cables or control box.
So far it's working out, just not having enough time during the week to work on it has been what's frustrating. If we don't get any rain around here soon I may not have to worry about it.

Tony

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: 1995 21' Suntracker Fishing Barge

I've seen where you guys have had a killer summer. Hopefully things will work out for you and the weather will soon start cooperating.