Curious.....saw a post today by Mark Perry about 're-powering' his rig but, don't see much on this.
If/When you chose to 're-power' your rig, would you chose new/used? Largest motor your rig can handle or most affordable?
Love to 're-power' my rig but, new Evinrude 135HP is EXPENSIVE.... my current 90HP runs fine but.... keep thinking love to have the most my rig could handle (140HP), just in case....
Ya'll's thoughts?
Have you/would you? Just curious..

God Bless

Repower new with the largest allowable. You'll never get your money back out of the repower but then again you'll never get your money out of a boat no matter what you do.

Lee;
don't do it.
worse move I ever made, going to a larger motor.
Unless you are going to fish Tournaments every weekend and need the extra speed.
I wish I had my 90hp back.

You want to do it; but not necessary is the key here. Someday it might be necessary so put a little money back from time to time for that day. If the old motor bites the dust then you will have the funds. Start researching the step up. I would never go the MAX. on a boat not designed and big enough for rough water. I believe the 115 hp. motors are some of the most fuel efficient on the water. I would start looking there.

let me know if you re-power I may be interested in your 90

I had a yammy 90 that just wasn't enough. But I blew the head on it and I went to a 115 HP Merc. My boat is rated for a 135. But not a lot of choices in the 135 range. Thought about going to 150 but then I would be taking chances with the legal side. So it's a 115 and it does great. I'm still trying to get the BEST setup with boat/motor/prop choices. I may be using more fuel but if I just cruz then I'll be fine, but who cruzes! Best part is I don't have to mix fuel/oil anymore!

I re powered Bart for better fuel economy went from a carbed Yamaha 150 to a pro XS merc 175 , only a little more power but much better fuel economy , I do just cruise these days though that boat isn't going to win any races

Ok, good input. New or used?
John made a great point in that the cost will NEVER be recovered on a sale but I don't plan on selling and I'm certainly not a 'tournament fisherman'.... , I wish I were that good but, point of fact, I'm not.
Thanks for all the feedback. Looks like many are reviewing the post and at least giving some thought to possible 're-power'.
God Bless

Lee, my boat came with a 75hp Merc and I upgraded to it's max of 125hp and it is a real advantage. I can't begin to tell you how much more I like it. I used to be a little afraid of taking my rig out on windy days, but now it isn't a big deal. My boat is only 17' so it used to be real rough going out in the wind, but it gets on top of the crests now and I could never go back.

I'm not sure, but I was under the impression that you want to stick to the year of your boat, so that is what I did.

Either way, it's nice to see some water in our lakes

New motors are quite expensive, but they have a warranty. It would be a shame to repower and have issues and then have to shell out more cash to fix the repower. A new Mercury can be warrantied for 7 years. to me that's just good insurance to keep you fishing. If it was me and I was going to repower, I would go new. The downside to a repower is getting a loan. If you have cash, then no problem, but if you plan to finance a motor, the interest can be insane because it is a big risk for the bank. the motor is a hard thing to reclaim a loss on if the loan defaults so the interest rate is over 10% usually from what I have heard. I have a friend looking to repower right now and he is saving cash because the loan would cost double after all of the interest. hope that helps give you a few things to consider.

Great input Bogey!! Well, as you know, my rig is only an 18' but is rated for up to 140 sooooooooooo, when Evinrude came out with the ETEC 135HP, sure peaked my interest. Many who had that engine said it is really a downsized 150HP and would make a considerable difference in speed overall of their bass boats.
New rig, no that's out of the question. Am just too old and not a 'tourney' guy. But, the thoughts of that added power difference got my interest.
Like you said, and I love that input, made a remarkable difference on rough water handling in being able to get over and ride the rougher water.
But, the flip side - dropping an added $11K .... ouch...
Still thinking. Seems the one man here, Nutman, who did upgrade is not at all happy about his choice.
But, the question was asked not just about my little rig but about anyone else who had done this or was thinking about it. New (expensive)/used (less expensive - I think) or just plain more power issue.
God Bless

Lee;
Take Donald Harper's advice ---- the "feeling" for a bigger motor will go away soon. The cost far outweighs the advantages for a non-tournament fisherman.
if you want to buy something,,,,, you really don't need,,,,,, go buy one of those Livingston crank baits you like so much.

OMG....come on guys, nope, no more Livingston. Great input .... thanks buddy...
but please, just NO MORE LIVINGSTON...
God Bless

I am re-powering next week from 2000 Merc 200 EFI to a 2004 Merc 225 EFI. The real difference is the step up from 2.5 litre to 3 litre and NMEA compatiblity (hooks up to my HDS7 instead dash gages). Far more torque. Motor will have a few mods- 4 flutter intake, exhaust tuner, computers flashed by Simon MotorSports to a 250hp fuel curve, nose cone with LWP, new 10" jack plate (Steve's Custom Props), and likely a Bravo prop. The cost is sunk cost. You'll never get your cost out of a boat or anything remotely related to your boat.

Rest assured, my G will scream when its done.

I wouldn't even entertain the idea until I had to do something.. (blown motor)

Just doesn't makes sense, when you could apply that towards a bigger/newer boat