Swapping motors - going right direction?

[thall17]

So I would like to replace my Merc 50 with a 115. thinking I cant afford to purchase new, I would find a boat with a 115 swap motors and resell boat with the 50?? Am I going down a crazy path?? If I were to replace with something other than a Merc are the controls different??

Thanks for the advice!

[Marc K]

My first question: Is the 50 HP boat rated for 115 HP?

Marc

[thall17]

It is

[Steiner]

Probably a dumb question, but in today's current market if you don't think you can afford the $9k for a 115 Merc then how are you planning on paying for a boat?

Between manufacturers, controls/rigging are different. Gauges can be different.

[riplipper]

Not sure its the wrong path but definitely a strange path that I would not venture down.
I would first check to see if my 50 merc controls would work on a 90 or 115 merc, and if so, then buy a used motor.
Lots of people upgrade their power so might be easy to find, but I dont really know.

[wwind3]

I would sell the 50 and buy the 115. I personally would not buy an underpowered pontoon boat and a lot of folks agree with me. Good luck...

[Motor7]

Yes, different brands use different controls. If you use the boat a lot and really want more speed, then I'd buy a new 115 with new controls if I could not find a decent used 4 stroke one. Is your 50 a 2 or 4 stroke? That would make a big difference in value.......

[jrolin1]

The market for used boats is crazy now. All seem to be priced very high to me. A similar problem with new outboard motors exists. Wait times due to availability can be up to a year for a new outboard. If you find that unicorn of a great deal then great. Otherwise you may want to wait until next year. Also keep in mind what your boat is rated for. You may be better off buying what you want and selling your current boat.