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Author Topic:   Exceeding HP spec for a Currituck

Dan Sheridan posted 06-11-2008 12:17 PM ET (US)
I have a great old 135 HP Mercury (1971 1350) that has been used happily on a couple of our family boats over the years. We have parted with the boats, but never seemed to be able to let go of the motor. It is a straight-6, and as you would expect it is very heavy.
It has been stored for a few years waiting for the right replacement boat. I have a 1994 15GLSII 70HP which we enjoy a lot, so I have always thought I would like to find another bigger Whaler for the old 135.
Locally there is a 1971 Currituck for sale without a motor. I don't know the condition yet, but I plan to look at it this weekend. It is priced pretty steep at $3750, so it might be a nice one. Is my old 135 too much for this boat? The CW Spec page identifies the HP rating of the Currituck to be 100 HP.
Thanks,
Dan
Tohsgib posted 06-11-2008 12:41 PM ET (US)
Nah...that engine is not heavy either compared to todays engines, less than most 75hp. She is also head rated so really close to a modern 100hp or a tad more anyway. I would DEFINATELY go for it, especially if boat is sweet.
contender posted 06-11-2008 01:53 PM ET (US)
I have an Evinrude 140 on mine, I would check the bottom crank seal on the merc. They use to go bad (especially in salt water, seal goes bad and the water would shoots up the engine) and the water would make trash of the bottom cylinder/crank. You should have no problem with this set up. I would up date to a Hyd. steering system due to the torque...good luck
L H G posted 06-11-2008 05:02 PM ET (US)
Do it! That 135 "Merc Tower" is a great engine, and until 1988 was produced as a prop rated 115. For years, I ran a 1973 in-line 6 150HP (updated version of the 135) on a 1971 Nauset.
Make no mistake, if the engine is in good shape, that lightwieght Currituck (hull weight about 600lbs) will be a screamer. Definitely not for tennagers and reckless operators! It will run as fast a 55, and as you approach 50 you have to be very careful. That engine weighs about 275# and the hull will handle it easily.
Dan Sheridan posted 06-12-2008 11:11 PM ET (US)
Hmmm, nothing like the voice of reason - I think I sense a need for speed among our members. ;)
I appreciate you sharing your experience, guys. You have convinced me that my old 135 can be properly rigged on the right 16'7 Whaler. If it comes together I will check those seals and investigate the hydraulic steering option.
I also enjoyed reading what you and the other members wrote in the MAXED OUT WHALERS thread. I had not seen that prior to posting mine.
LHG - thanks for the caution regarding the teenagers. My three kids are only in grade school, so I will keep that in mind as they come of age for boating. The older two are already in the Learn to Sail program, and the Coast Guard Class will be next. Not to mention getting past Grandma. She is scared to death of the water, and she makes sure everyone within 100' of the dock is in ship shape (including Grandpa, much to his chagrin).
I will post again after I see the boat. I am out of town right now, so the earliest I can go will be Saturday.
Dan
Tohsgib posted 06-13-2008 10:41 AM ET (US)
You really don't need Hydraulic steering on that setup but some prefer it, I personally dislike it. If it has regular steering, hook it up and try it. You can always drop $700 down the road if you feel it is necessary. If she pulls, just adjust the trim tab above the prop in the direction it pulls to.
Dan Sheridan posted 06-14-2008 04:09 PM ET (US)
The hull is in fair/rough shape, with some damage. I am not a fiberglass expert, so I hesitate to characterize the damage as "major" or "minor". I will leave that to the seller, who knows his boat much better than I. We had a nice conversation and I enjoyed meeting him. He put up kindly with my kids as they went bonkers in his yard (our first stop after three hours in the car).
Some areas have repairs in progress, and other areas are not yet fixed. The original woodwork is gone except for one seating surface. The side console, thwart seats, and seat supports have all been recently replaced with marine plywood. The steering is a newer Teleflex no feedback unit.
Needless to say, I don't have time for a project of this magnitude unless the price was rock bottom and I could justify setting it aside for a while. The seller said he is a past contributor to this forum, so he may post something here in the future in case other members have interest.
Thanks for your help, guys. Shoot me an email if any of you come across another 16'7 hull, Outrage 17' hull, Outrage 18' hull, etc. that might work for my old 135 Merc. This is by no means an urgent need, but I would like to keep my eyes and ears open.
Best regards,
Dan
Tohsgib posted 06-15-2008 01:30 AM ET (US)
My father always said "When you are not looking...you find your best deal!"
Follow that for the most part.

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Author	Topic: Exceeding HP spec for a Currituck
Dan Sheridan	posted 06-11-2008 12:17 PM ET (US) I have a great old 135 HP Mercury (1971 1350) that has been used happily on a couple of our family boats over the years. We have parted with the boats, but never seemed to be able to let go of the motor. It is a straight-6, and as you would expect it is very heavy. It has been stored for a few years waiting for the right replacement boat. I have a 1994 15GLSII 70HP which we enjoy a lot, so I have always thought I would like to find another bigger Whaler for the old 135. Locally there is a 1971 Currituck for sale without a motor. I don't know the condition yet, but I plan to look at it this weekend. It is priced pretty steep at $3750, so it might be a nice one. Is my old 135 too much for this boat? The CW Spec page identifies the HP rating of the Currituck to be 100 HP. Thanks, Dan
Tohsgib	posted 06-11-2008 12:41 PM ET (US) Nah...that engine is not heavy either compared to todays engines, less than most 75hp. She is also head rated so really close to a modern 100hp or a tad more anyway. I would DEFINATELY go for it, especially if boat is sweet.
contender	posted 06-11-2008 01:53 PM ET (US) I have an Evinrude 140 on mine, I would check the bottom crank seal on the merc. They use to go bad (especially in salt water, seal goes bad and the water would shoots up the engine) and the water would make trash of the bottom cylinder/crank. You should have no problem with this set up. I would up date to a Hyd. steering system due to the torque...good luck
L H G	posted 06-11-2008 05:02 PM ET (US) Do it! That 135 "Merc Tower" is a great engine, and until 1988 was produced as a prop rated 115. For years, I ran a 1973 in-line 6 150HP (updated version of the 135) on a 1971 Nauset. Make no mistake, if the engine is in good shape, that lightwieght Currituck (hull weight about 600lbs) will be a screamer. Definitely not for tennagers and reckless operators! It will run as fast a 55, and as you approach 50 you have to be very careful. That engine weighs about 275# and the hull will handle it easily.
Dan Sheridan	posted 06-12-2008 11:11 PM ET (US) Hmmm, nothing like the voice of reason - I think I sense a need for speed among our members. ;) I appreciate you sharing your experience, guys. You have convinced me that my old 135 can be properly rigged on the right 16'7 Whaler. If it comes together I will check those seals and investigate the hydraulic steering option. I also enjoyed reading what you and the other members wrote in the MAXED OUT WHALERS thread. I had not seen that prior to posting mine. LHG - thanks for the caution regarding the teenagers. My three kids are only in grade school, so I will keep that in mind as they come of age for boating. The older two are already in the Learn to Sail program, and the Coast Guard Class will be next. Not to mention getting past Grandma. She is scared to death of the water, and she makes sure everyone within 100' of the dock is in ship shape (including Grandpa, much to his chagrin). I will post again after I see the boat. I am out of town right now, so the earliest I can go will be Saturday. Dan
Tohsgib	posted 06-13-2008 10:41 AM ET (US) You really don't need Hydraulic steering on that setup but some prefer it, I personally dislike it. If it has regular steering, hook it up and try it. You can always drop $700 down the road if you feel it is necessary. If she pulls, just adjust the trim tab above the prop in the direction it pulls to.
Dan Sheridan	posted 06-14-2008 04:09 PM ET (US) The hull is in fair/rough shape, with some damage. I am not a fiberglass expert, so I hesitate to characterize the damage as "major" or "minor". I will leave that to the seller, who knows his boat much better than I. We had a nice conversation and I enjoyed meeting him. He put up kindly with my kids as they went bonkers in his yard (our first stop after three hours in the car). Some areas have repairs in progress, and other areas are not yet fixed. The original woodwork is gone except for one seating surface. The side console, thwart seats, and seat supports have all been recently replaced with marine plywood. The steering is a newer Teleflex no feedback unit. Needless to say, I don't have time for a project of this magnitude unless the price was rock bottom and I could justify setting it aside for a while. The seller said he is a past contributor to this forum, so he may post something here in the future in case other members have interest. Thanks for your help, guys. Shoot me an email if any of you come across another 16'7 hull, Outrage 17' hull, Outrage 18' hull, etc. that might work for my old 135 Merc. This is by no means an urgent need, but I would like to keep my eyes and ears open. Best regards, Dan
Tohsgib	posted 06-15-2008 01:30 AM ET (US) My father always said "When you are not looking...you find your best deal!" Follow that for the most part.