CONTINUOUSWAVE

Q1: what engine mounting height (measured in holes from lowest possible) was used in this re-power? The engine mounting height was one-hole-up from lowest possible. Q2: what is the gear ratio of the SUZUKI DF115BTL? The gear ratio is 2.59:1. Q3: what features does the model designation suffix “BTL”...

This is a nice re-power article.

And thank you for documenting the trailer [tongue weight change process].

In spring of 2026 I re-powered my 1994 OUTRAGE 17 with a SUZUKI DF115BTL [later expanded to be a DF115BTLW], replacing the 2004 Mercury 115-HP FourStroke. The Mercury engine only had around 500 hours on it, but I was concerned with its age and reliability, as I had started using the boat for some re...

[There is] no reason to ever take off the [the trolling motor] mounting plate off once it is on [the foredeck]

I also used 3M5200 adhesive sealant and lots of screws [to fasten] a trolling motor plate [to something not described].

[The trolling motor mount] a good job.

I agree that then damage to the keel could have been caused by the trailer. I had similar damage when my trailer bunks were set a bit too low. On certain boat launching ramps [the angle the ramp descended into the water caused] the keel [to be able to ] scrape on the front crossbar of the trailer du...

Navigation Light LED Conversion - The navigation light on my boat had been a constant source of annoyance (as well as a safety hazard), as it seemed to always work in the driveway and never work on the lake. The old lamp burned HOT, and the mounting system did not seem secure. Eventually I got so si...

New Anchor Locker Hatch Construction Continues Fishing Seat Mount Once the varnish had fully cured on the hatch I moved on to hardware installation. I went with a Springfield 7-inch x 7-inch stainless steel base with a 3/4-inch threaded insert. I chose this size as the hole size is quite small when...

New Anchor Locker Hatch Construction For years I wanted to add a forward fishing seat mounted to the anchor locker hatch on the 1994 OUTRAGE 17 , but couldn't find it in me to cut a hole in the original hatch. Finally I decided to just make a new anchor hatch, and then if I didn't like it I could a...

...were they used cells when you bought them? I pulled out those batteries from a DIY electric car a relative of mine wasn't using anymore, I believe they had been used for several years. After pulling them I tested them and found them to hold about 140-Ampere-hour capacity. I'm unsure what the ori...

Q1: does your DIY battery pack haves a BMS or a fuse for safety? The iCharger x8 (seen in Figure 5) is hooked up during battery charging, and it balances the packs and monitors voltage of each cell, current, and temperature during charging. During normal operation there is no BMS connected, but the...

Transom Repair Project Continued While hollowing the wood reinforcements embedded in the transom, I tried to be very careful to not damage the laminate and gelcoat skin. In areas with very rotten wood this was easy, but on the top and sides where the wood was in good condition I had to slow down an...

Transom Repair Project Problem Appears in Transom In late 2022 I noted that the bolts holding on the outboard engine on were starting to compress the gelcoat and fiberglass of the transom, which to me was an indication of wood rot around the bolts. I removed the two brass drains from the engine spl...

Trolling Motor Project Continued Creating Cable Path Finding a way to get the power cables to the trolling motor from the center console definitely turned out to be the worst-looking part of the project, but the outcome was very functional. I used a 1-inch-diameter hole saw to drill through forward...

Trolling Motor Project Continued After the mounting plate was in position, I reattached the starboard cleat into its original holes. The port cleat is sadly gone for good with this setup, as the motor requires about six-inches of room to the port side of the mount for the quick connect locking mech...

I've been angling from my 1994 OUTRAGE 17 boat for 26 years, since I got it in 2000. In addition to repairs for normal wear-and-tear damage, and usual maintenance, I have complete five major projects to modify the boat: ⋅ added a bow trolling motor mount and custom LiFePO4 battery bank; &s...

Congrats on the new boat. I am also a midwest Boston Whaler boat owner, Your Montauk looks very nice, I love the teak and it looks to be in excellent shape for an 1986. I would chose an under-seat fuel tank and move the cooler forward of the console.

I want to recommend Advance Coating Company for their color-matched gel coat. I see the Spectrum Patch Paste kits recommended on forums fairly frequently, and I have used them in the past, but they've increased in price up to $57 in recent years, with a quart of gel coat from them costing $230. Afte...