170 Montauk 4 Stroke Excellent Day on the Water

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Author Topic:   170 Montauk 4 Stroke Excellent Day on the Water

Barney posted 08-16-2003 04:29 PM ET (US)
Trip to Cat Island today, eight miles out from Gulfport, MS. Excellent trip. Before the trip I had to redo the battery box tie down, it was improperly installed and loose as a goose. Corrosion is already starting at the battery. First real fishing trip, with four aboard. Ran great, took the waves great and we even caught some flounder for supper. One thing I noticed at the dock was the 4 Stroke is much quieter at idle that the same size 2 stroke. We haven't mastered docking procedures yet,however, wind makes the 170 move around a bit, we clutzes at docking. Let's here from some other 170 owners. Jim
JD Montauk posted 08-16-2003 07:11 PM ET (US)
Barney,
Glad you had a sucessful and safe fishing trip. Going out and coming back safe is a sucessful day in my book. We went out today as well.
We put in on Lake Moultrie and after only 45 mins we had to head back due to a large thunder storm that just seemed to develop from nowhere. Launching the boat today was a breeze as there is a slip that is about 300 feet long and there are trees on each side to block wind and there is no current in a lake to speak of.
Loading was a little more difficult as the wife can't operate the boat good enough to load on the trailer and she also can't back the truck and trailer together. The problem is finding a parking place in the slip while I got the truck, waited my turn and backed down. Then, walk over to where I tied the boat to a tree, climb aboard and operate the boat and load onto the trailer. After loading, climb over the front railing and into the back of the pickup to drive out. At this point, every thing was going great. I was ready to pull off and realized the motor was down so I asked my wife, who was still standing in the boat with my son, to trim up the motor to allow the it to clear the ramp. Once we got up and away, I jumped out of my truck and realized the motor was still running and the wife said do you want me to shut down the motor...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek, yes yes yes shut down the motor. I forgot to tell her and she didn't know any better. I guess it ran for about 1 minute with no water, I'm hoping that won't be a big problem. I could only imagine what everyone was saying as we pulled up the ramp with the motor trimed up and still running...OMG
Anyway, that was our day and I still enjoyed it and of course all the Sea Pro and Keywest owners were eyeing the whaler and whispering to each other something but I have no clue other than maybe they were saying, honey, we should have bought a Whaler, that thing looks schweet...
Later,
JD Montauk (David)
Barney posted 08-16-2003 08:07 PM ET (US)
JD, my last boat: trailer was bent by someone backing it, the stern drive, also prop found out what concrete ramps are all about, and "I sure missed that buoy in the waves" (read ran aground) Jim
samwhaler posted 08-16-2003 08:12 PM ET (US)
Dave, I am glad you noticed the motor running. I had the same experience with my kicker Nisan 5 HP 4-stroke and it was ok. I guess you may want to check the oil as it was the only "cooling" system when the engine ran on dry air.
Well, I am seriously cosidering the 170 Montauk. I took it for a test ride with dave from BW in Columbia and the only thing I was cocerned about was the vibration of the Mercury 2 stroke. I was told that this was the first gas tank in the engine and that was why it ratled too much.
Otherwise the boat ferformed great. The only thing is that it is a 04 model, comes with dealer instaled top( the 04 can slide and be folded on the back side, it is not Mills but the finish is good. It also comes woth a swim step. The price is 22.5 k and with a 4-stroke 25k? On the same note the BW dealer in Beaufort, SC has a left over 03 with a 4- stroke for 21K (base boat)?. BW in Columbia will trade in my Sea ray plus my 1974 13 sport. Am I better off selling those two boats on my own and get a bas level 170 and buy aftermarket top and swim step? Has any one tested a 170 with a 60 4-stroke?. I will use the boat maily for fishing and shrimping! Would a 60 pull a skier?
Thanks, Sam.
PS, with CW down the last 3 days I was about to go back to smoking!
Maximus posted 08-16-2003 08:17 PM ET (US)
All around great week of boating with the new Montauk...
I have over 25 hours on the motor. We did several extended trips this week. Sesuit Harbor to Provicetown, Bass River to Osterville, and Bass River to Martha's Vineyard!!!
Typical day showed 50-60 boating miles by GPS. Fuel burn is consistant at 4 to 4.5 MPG.
Also did some skiing and had no problem getting me up (200lb).
The four stroke is so quiet compared to the two strokes. On my boat, the noise from the motor is drown out by passing two strokes.
I did replace a trailer red clearance light/grommet that fell out. Other than that...just add gas and go.
I may have an issue with the 13 gallon tempo tanks...there is a gas odor making it uncomfortable to sit by the stern.
samwhaler posted 08-16-2003 09:22 PM ET (US)
OK, the 170 Montauk 04 comes with the two aditional 8-inch cleats, a swim ladder and a revised top that folds down without scratshing the gelcoat. It also comes with a new swing tongue trailer. It is 96 inches wide, measuring the outsides of the fenders. I'll have to remove the fenders to get it to fit in my 94 inches garage door?. Anyone with an 03 measured the width of the trailer, fender to fender?
Are this "improvments" worth 4k?
Yes, and an enforced transom for a kiker braket.
Sam
samwhaler posted 08-16-2003 09:49 PM ET (US)
OK, that was scratching, and kicker! sorry about the spelling. Sam
Maximus posted 08-16-2003 09:50 PM ET (US)
I had the choice of an 04 vs. 03 and choose the 03 for the cost savings. Cleats cost me $18/each...not worth the extra $2500 for the 04...my humble opinion.
JD Montauk posted 08-16-2003 09:57 PM ET (US)
Sam,
Did you get the email I sent you? I know of a special deal on an '03 that is loaded with everything with bimini top and saltwater 2 stroke 90, all brand new for $18,500.
Email me if you're interested in learning more. BTW, I live in Summerville near Charleston, SC.
JD Montauk (David)
JD Montauk posted 08-16-2003 10:00 PM ET (US)
Barney,
Did you ever get your motor support? I was just wondering if you sprang for it yet and if you were able to get it to work in the offset position I mentioned.
Later,
JD Montauk (David)
samwhaler posted 08-16-2003 11:02 PM ET (US)
Dave, Thanks man, I got your e-mail, I sent you a reply. You see I need to sell or trade what I have now, I can't afford three boats. Sam
Barney posted 08-17-2003 05:24 PM ET (US)
JD, No bracket yet. Still thinking about it tho. Everything ok with the engine? Jim
Barney posted 08-17-2003 05:42 PM ET (US)
MAX, Did you get your Mills top yet? If so please post some pictures. Thanks Jim
Maximus posted 08-17-2003 08:46 PM ET (US)
Mills top will be delivered on Wednesday and installed next weekend. I will have pictures of everything.
Maximus posted 08-20-2003 05:55 PM ET (US)
Got the top today. Plan on unpacking it this evening.
You guys are getting me worried, do I need a motor bracket for trailering?
Barney posted 08-20-2003 06:24 PM ET (US)
Max, The bracket is an idea. I troll for specks in the winter. If I sell my 11 ft tender which is what I use for trolling, I might get a 4 HP Four Stroke Merc with bracket. It has a self contained tank. Jim
Barney posted 08-20-2003 06:26 PM ET (US)
The other bracket that you are talking about maybe. So there are two different brackets being discussed. I confused myself. Jim
Maximus posted 08-20-2003 08:48 PM ET (US)
Trailering bracket...
Mercury manual clearly states that the support lever is not to be considered a bracket for trailering....the dealer let me drive away that way.
I should probably consider getting one.
Barney posted 08-20-2003 08:55 PM ET (US)
I am looking at the "Lock N Stow" which fits only Mercury's. But not sure if it will fit 4 Strokes. Seems like it would. Also JD has one. Jim
Barney posted 08-20-2003 09:00 PM ET (US)
http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=37340&hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=6&hvarTarget=browse here is the link I hope. Jim
Barney posted 08-20-2003 09:01 PM ET (US)
Actually JD has a different type. Jim
JD Montauk posted 08-21-2003 01:32 PM ET (US)
Max,
I read the same thing you did in the Mercury manual and my dealer also let me drive off this way. I ordered a motor support bracket made by a company called Attwood and it has a spring to act as a suspension system. When your trailer tires hit holes while trailering, the motor imparts huge forces into the transom as well as to the little cheap motor support that Mercury supplies to act as a prop. Since I've added this I feel at ease when trailering and I hit some bad spots in roads and saw the trailer jump in response and was thinking what potential damage could have occured had I not had the motor support. I think it's a good investment for under $30.
Later,
JD Montauk (David)
Moe posted 08-21-2003 02:11 PM ET (US)
I picked up our new 150 Sport and headed right to the Lake Erie Rendezvous, trailering over 200 miles home at the end, so I didn't read the manuals until I got home. I'd asked about a transom saver, and was told I didn't need one and to use the tilt lock. Needless to say, I was a bit pissed when I read in the Whaler and Mercury manuals not to do that.
I found a support that works either with a roller fork on the end, or a bracket you mount on the trailer if you don't have a roller. Our trailer only has a keel pad, not a roller, but it looked to me that the trailer bracket for the transom saver could scratch the boat during loading or unloading. Fortunately, the roller fork is a heavy rubber-like plastic and spreads enough to fit on the keel pad. I've been using that with both ends of the support well-bungied to the trailer and motor, and it works fine. Our bracket also has shock absorbtion in it. Can't remember the brand, but it's powdercoated black and I picked it up at a local boat store.
--
Moe
Bigshot posted 08-21-2003 02:30 PM ET (US)
I have 2 transom savers in my garage....never used one. Maybe Mercury recommends them for reasons unknown but i have never read anything about them in my manuals for other brands. Just like most things there are pros and cons to transom savers. Actually it is ironic in itself because there aint no way in hell a bouncing motor can hurt a Whaler transom, might hurt the engine bracket but not the transom. Maybe they should be called Mercury bracket savers?
Now if you NEED to trailer in the tilted position, then you do NOT want to use the tilt bracket. What is the strongest way to stabilize an engine is to trim it down till the trim starts and stop. This way you have 3 hydraulic rams against the engine and she aint gonna move no matter what you hit. If you don't have power tilt or a weak transom, then spend your money on one. My $.02
Barney posted 08-21-2003 05:59 PM ET (US)
Big, These 90 Mercury 4 Strokes don't have those 3 rams. We have one tilt and trim cylinder. Nothing to rest on. I've seen what you are talking about tho on other outboards. I think it may be just a piece of mind to have a support back there with the near 400lb outboard. Jim
Barney posted 08-21-2003 06:28 PM ET (US)
Big, You might be right tho that Mercury single trim cylinder could be fail point. Jim

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Author	Topic: 170 Montauk 4 Stroke Excellent Day on the Water
Barney	posted 08-16-2003 04:29 PM ET (US) Trip to Cat Island today, eight miles out from Gulfport, MS. Excellent trip. Before the trip I had to redo the battery box tie down, it was improperly installed and loose as a goose. Corrosion is already starting at the battery. First real fishing trip, with four aboard. Ran great, took the waves great and we even caught some flounder for supper. One thing I noticed at the dock was the 4 Stroke is much quieter at idle that the same size 2 stroke. We haven't mastered docking procedures yet,however, wind makes the 170 move around a bit, we clutzes at docking. Let's here from some other 170 owners. Jim
JD Montauk	posted 08-16-2003 07:11 PM ET (US) Barney, Glad you had a sucessful and safe fishing trip. Going out and coming back safe is a sucessful day in my book. We went out today as well. We put in on Lake Moultrie and after only 45 mins we had to head back due to a large thunder storm that just seemed to develop from nowhere. Launching the boat today was a breeze as there is a slip that is about 300 feet long and there are trees on each side to block wind and there is no current in a lake to speak of. Loading was a little more difficult as the wife can't operate the boat good enough to load on the trailer and she also can't back the truck and trailer together. The problem is finding a parking place in the slip while I got the truck, waited my turn and backed down. Then, walk over to where I tied the boat to a tree, climb aboard and operate the boat and load onto the trailer. After loading, climb over the front railing and into the back of the pickup to drive out. At this point, every thing was going great. I was ready to pull off and realized the motor was down so I asked my wife, who was still standing in the boat with my son, to trim up the motor to allow the it to clear the ramp. Once we got up and away, I jumped out of my truck and realized the motor was still running and the wife said do you want me to shut down the motor...eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek, yes yes yes shut down the motor. I forgot to tell her and she didn't know any better. I guess it ran for about 1 minute with no water, I'm hoping that won't be a big problem. I could only imagine what everyone was saying as we pulled up the ramp with the motor trimed up and still running...OMG Anyway, that was our day and I still enjoyed it and of course all the Sea Pro and Keywest owners were eyeing the whaler and whispering to each other something but I have no clue other than maybe they were saying, honey, we should have bought a Whaler, that thing looks schweet... Later, JD Montauk (David)
Barney	posted 08-16-2003 08:07 PM ET (US) JD, my last boat: trailer was bent by someone backing it, the stern drive, also prop found out what concrete ramps are all about, and "I sure missed that buoy in the waves" (read ran aground) Jim
samwhaler	posted 08-16-2003 08:12 PM ET (US) Dave, I am glad you noticed the motor running. I had the same experience with my kicker Nisan 5 HP 4-stroke and it was ok. I guess you may want to check the oil as it was the only "cooling" system when the engine ran on dry air. Well, I am seriously cosidering the 170 Montauk. I took it for a test ride with dave from BW in Columbia and the only thing I was cocerned about was the vibration of the Mercury 2 stroke. I was told that this was the first gas tank in the engine and that was why it ratled too much. Otherwise the boat ferformed great. The only thing is that it is a 04 model, comes with dealer instaled top( the 04 can slide and be folded on the back side, it is not Mills but the finish is good. It also comes woth a swim step. The price is 22.5 k and with a 4-stroke 25k? On the same note the BW dealer in Beaufort, SC has a left over 03 with a 4- stroke for 21K (base boat)?. BW in Columbia will trade in my Sea ray plus my 1974 13 sport. Am I better off selling those two boats on my own and get a bas level 170 and buy aftermarket top and swim step? Has any one tested a 170 with a 60 4-stroke?. I will use the boat maily for fishing and shrimping! Would a 60 pull a skier? Thanks, Sam. PS, with CW down the last 3 days I was about to go back to smoking!
Maximus	posted 08-16-2003 08:17 PM ET (US) All around great week of boating with the new Montauk... I have over 25 hours on the motor. We did several extended trips this week. Sesuit Harbor to Provicetown, Bass River to Osterville, and Bass River to Martha's Vineyard!!! Typical day showed 50-60 boating miles by GPS. Fuel burn is consistant at 4 to 4.5 MPG. Also did some skiing and had no problem getting me up (200lb). The four stroke is so quiet compared to the two strokes. On my boat, the noise from the motor is drown out by passing two strokes. I did replace a trailer red clearance light/grommet that fell out. Other than that...just add gas and go. I may have an issue with the 13 gallon tempo tanks...there is a gas odor making it uncomfortable to sit by the stern.
samwhaler	posted 08-16-2003 09:22 PM ET (US) OK, the 170 Montauk 04 comes with the two aditional 8-inch cleats, a swim ladder and a revised top that folds down without scratshing the gelcoat. It also comes with a new swing tongue trailer. It is 96 inches wide, measuring the outsides of the fenders. I'll have to remove the fenders to get it to fit in my 94 inches garage door?. Anyone with an 03 measured the width of the trailer, fender to fender? Are this "improvments" worth 4k? Yes, and an enforced transom for a kiker braket. Sam
samwhaler	posted 08-16-2003 09:49 PM ET (US) OK, that was scratching, and kicker! sorry about the spelling. Sam
Maximus	posted 08-16-2003 09:50 PM ET (US) I had the choice of an 04 vs. 03 and choose the 03 for the cost savings. Cleats cost me $18/each...not worth the extra $2500 for the 04...my humble opinion.
JD Montauk	posted 08-16-2003 09:57 PM ET (US) Sam, Did you get the email I sent you? I know of a special deal on an '03 that is loaded with everything with bimini top and saltwater 2 stroke 90, all brand new for $18,500. Email me if you're interested in learning more. BTW, I live in Summerville near Charleston, SC. JD Montauk (David)
JD Montauk	posted 08-16-2003 10:00 PM ET (US) Barney, Did you ever get your motor support? I was just wondering if you sprang for it yet and if you were able to get it to work in the offset position I mentioned. Later, JD Montauk (David)
samwhaler	posted 08-16-2003 11:02 PM ET (US) Dave, Thanks man, I got your e-mail, I sent you a reply. You see I need to sell or trade what I have now, I can't afford three boats. Sam
Barney	posted 08-17-2003 05:24 PM ET (US) JD, No bracket yet. Still thinking about it tho. Everything ok with the engine? Jim
Barney	posted 08-17-2003 05:42 PM ET (US) MAX, Did you get your Mills top yet? If so please post some pictures. Thanks Jim
Maximus	posted 08-17-2003 08:46 PM ET (US) Mills top will be delivered on Wednesday and installed next weekend. I will have pictures of everything.
Maximus	posted 08-20-2003 05:55 PM ET (US) Got the top today. Plan on unpacking it this evening. You guys are getting me worried, do I need a motor bracket for trailering?
Barney	posted 08-20-2003 06:24 PM ET (US) Max, The bracket is an idea. I troll for specks in the winter. If I sell my 11 ft tender which is what I use for trolling, I might get a 4 HP Four Stroke Merc with bracket. It has a self contained tank. Jim
Barney	posted 08-20-2003 06:26 PM ET (US) The other bracket that you are talking about maybe. So there are two different brackets being discussed. I confused myself. Jim
Maximus	posted 08-20-2003 08:48 PM ET (US) Trailering bracket... Mercury manual clearly states that the support lever is not to be considered a bracket for trailering....the dealer let me drive away that way. I should probably consider getting one.
Barney	posted 08-20-2003 08:55 PM ET (US) I am looking at the "Lock N Stow" which fits only Mercury's. But not sure if it will fit 4 Strokes. Seems like it would. Also JD has one. Jim
Barney	posted 08-20-2003 09:00 PM ET (US) http://www.basspro-shops.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=37340&hvarDept=200&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=2&hvarSubCode=6&hvarTarget=browse here is the link I hope. Jim
Barney	posted 08-20-2003 09:01 PM ET (US) Actually JD has a different type. Jim
JD Montauk	posted 08-21-2003 01:32 PM ET (US) Max, I read the same thing you did in the Mercury manual and my dealer also let me drive off this way. I ordered a motor support bracket made by a company called Attwood and it has a spring to act as a suspension system. When your trailer tires hit holes while trailering, the motor imparts huge forces into the transom as well as to the little cheap motor support that Mercury supplies to act as a prop. Since I've added this I feel at ease when trailering and I hit some bad spots in roads and saw the trailer jump in response and was thinking what potential damage could have occured had I not had the motor support. I think it's a good investment for under $30. Later, JD Montauk (David)
Moe	posted 08-21-2003 02:11 PM ET (US) I picked up our new 150 Sport and headed right to the Lake Erie Rendezvous, trailering over 200 miles home at the end, so I didn't read the manuals until I got home. I'd asked about a transom saver, and was told I didn't need one and to use the tilt lock. Needless to say, I was a bit pissed when I read in the Whaler and Mercury manuals not to do that. I found a support that works either with a roller fork on the end, or a bracket you mount on the trailer if you don't have a roller. Our trailer only has a keel pad, not a roller, but it looked to me that the trailer bracket for the transom saver could scratch the boat during loading or unloading. Fortunately, the roller fork is a heavy rubber-like plastic and spreads enough to fit on the keel pad. I've been using that with both ends of the support well-bungied to the trailer and motor, and it works fine. Our bracket also has shock absorbtion in it. Can't remember the brand, but it's powdercoated black and I picked it up at a local boat store. -- Moe
Bigshot	posted 08-21-2003 02:30 PM ET (US) I have 2 transom savers in my garage....never used one. Maybe Mercury recommends them for reasons unknown but i have never read anything about them in my manuals for other brands. Just like most things there are pros and cons to transom savers. Actually it is ironic in itself because there aint no way in hell a bouncing motor can hurt a Whaler transom, might hurt the engine bracket but not the transom. Maybe they should be called Mercury bracket savers? Now if you NEED to trailer in the tilted position, then you do NOT want to use the tilt bracket. What is the strongest way to stabilize an engine is to trim it down till the trim starts and stop. This way you have 3 hydraulic rams against the engine and she aint gonna move no matter what you hit. If you don't have power tilt or a weak transom, then spend your money on one. My $.02
Barney	posted 08-21-2003 05:59 PM ET (US) Big, These 90 Mercury 4 Strokes don't have those 3 rams. We have one tilt and trim cylinder. Nothing to rest on. I've seen what you are talking about tho on other outboards. I think it may be just a piece of mind to have a support back there with the near 400lb outboard. Jim
Barney	posted 08-21-2003 06:28 PM ET (US) Big, You might be right tho that Mercury single trim cylinder could be fail point. Jim