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Hello! I have come across a 98 PIII that is in excellent condition for its age. My biggest concern is the motor. It was repowered with a newer ETEC 150. It has very low hours and the engine checks out great mechanically. Im taking it for a test drive tomorrow, but I wanted to try and get some honest opinions about how this boat will perform with just a 150. My plan is to fish tournaments with it for a year or two and then upgrade to something newer and bigger, so resale is another concern. Any input would be greatly appreciated!
A PIII is adequate with a 150 in my opinion. When in the business we sold a lot of PIIs with that level of power. There will be a lot of nay-sayers but your test drive will tell the tale.Youll not run with the big boys but it will suffice.P.S. I have a PIII with a 200 Opti for sale if this boat does not suit you.)
Everyone has their opinions but that would be a deal breaker for me. Will it suffice? Sure! But…………..Dan
I agree with grybrd. Most people will say they want max hp the boat is rated for, but Ive had several that was rated for a 175 that had a 150, and ran good. Of course that was back in the day of the 150 hp limit, but they all ran out very well. Those consisted of a 184 Champion, a 361V Ranger, and a Pantera classic which was rated for a 200. The Pantera classic would rip any one of the 175 rated boats, and several others a new one with a 150. Heck my new Sabre is rated for a 175, and I went with a 4 stroke 150 Merc that so far has posted 65 gps with dual power poles and my normal load this last week. Im very happy with that, but I think I will see just a little more out of it once I try a few more things.
Guess wat it all boils down to is preference! Are you wanting to run 70 or 65 . Are you just wanting a boat to enjoy fishing. If the boat is priced right I wouldnt be afraid of it. As far as resale well theres always someone looking for a good deal in a boat especially these days with pricing the way it is. Yes you wil here many comments. But wat it all boils down to is wat your wanting. When I sold my 88 model cat which was clean and well taking care. It sold within 30 minutes of advertisement. Everyone is not looking to spend big $$$ on a boat. I would have to say if you like the boat and can live with the 150 buy it. Enjoy it!!!. I mean think about this the 20 footers are rated for more ponies. Probally less than 10% have anything bigger than a 250. So really wats the difference.2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
Redngoo wrote:Guess wat it all boils down to is preference! Are you wanting to run 70 or 65 . Are you just wanting a boat to enjoy fishing. If the boat is priced right I wouldnt be afraid of it. As far as resale well theres always someone looking for a good deal in a boat especially these days with pricing the way it is. Yes you wil here many comments. But wat it all boils down to is wat your wanting. When I sold my 88 model cat which was clean and well taking care. It sold within 30 minutes of advertisement. Everyone is not looking to spend big $$$ on a boat. I would have to say if you like the boat and can live with the 150 buy it. Enjoy it!!!. I mean think about this the 20 footers are rated for more ponies. Probally less than 10% have anything bigger than a 250. So really wats the difference.The difference is 100HP! What it really boils down to is you. I have my opinion and Redngoo has his. Neither opinion is the gospel! If YOU can live with 150 ponies and you are Ok and confident with an Evinrude and it is what you consider a Good deal then by all means go for it!Dan
The math says 50 hp. Last time I was in school 200-150=50. We can all post opinions for th OP but few of us have run the older hulls… And fewer still have repowered with new technology. The Etec is supposed to have more low end torque but at 50 hp less on that hull? Tough choice to say as that hull could chew up big water and was rated for the 150-200 hp range. Most of the people that have repowered a PIII went with the big 3.0 liter 200 to get a better holeshot. If you can and have the time, you should load that boat with gear for two and then test it. If youre satisfied then you make the call.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
jignpig wrote:The math says 50 hp. Last time I was in school 200-150=50.We can all post opinions for th OP but few of us have run the older hulls… And fewer still have repowered with new technology.The Etec is supposed to have more low end torque but at 50 hp less on that hull? Tough choice to say as that hull could chew up big water and was rated for the 150-200 hp range. Most of the people that have repowered a PIII went with the big 3.0 liter 200 to get a better holeshot.If you can and have the time, you should load that boat with gear for two and then test it.If youre satisfied then you make the call.Redngoo was talking about a 250HP there is where the 100HP comes in to play. Math is my strong suit. I can figure in my head faster than most can on paper. Cant beat the advice load it & test it. It will either suit you or it wont.Dan
MeanV2 wrote:jignpig wrote:The math says 50 hp. Last time I was in school 200-150=50.We can all post opinions for th OP but few of us have run the older hulls… And fewer still have repowered with new technology.The Etec is supposed to have more low end torque but at 50 hp less on that hull? Tough choice to say as that hull could chew up big water and was rated for the 150-200 hp range. Most of the people that have repowered a PIII went with the big 3.0 liter 200 to get a better holeshot.If you can and have the time, you should load that boat with gear for two and then test it.If youre satisfied then you make the call.Redngoo was talking about a 250HP there is where the 100HP comes in to play. Math is my strong suit. I can figure in my head faster than most can on paper. Cant beat the advice load it & test it. It will either suit you or it wont.Dan I was using just a comparison with the 250 on the 20ft boats . Most are unlimited. But most go with the 250. Sorry if it was misleading. 300 vs.250 . 50 ponies diferent. Though I agree load it up and run it. I hope to hear a response back to see how it performed2013 PANTERA 2MERCURY 200 PRO XSMINNKOTA 80LB FORTREX25 fury
You guys should Arm Wrestle now……BCB isnt the P3 a much deeper Hull, Heavier boat, and slower than a Pantera Classic or P2???? Like a modern p4? I would think the 150 Etec will get it on plane fine, but wont do what BCB designed the Hull to do in all out performance????
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