I have just recently purchased my first boat! The boat is a 1981 Hewescraft River Runner with a 115hp Mercury (early 1990's) that has been converted to a jet. I purchased this boat with the intent of using it mostly in the fall for hunting on the river but have recently rediscovered how much fun it is to fish out of a boat. Being as I want to use the boat on lakes in the spring and summer for fishing I am considering buying a prop lower unit and swapping the lower units out for the different seasons. My questions to the group are:
1. Is swapping lower units out on a seasonal base a feasible consideration?
2. Will I need to install a jack plate on the transom to lower the engine for use with the prop?
3. How much time will it take to swap (I've seen anywhere from 20 mins to 3 hours)?
4. In general how much would a lower unit purchase cost?
5. And finally, any tips or comments?
Thanks everyone for your help!
Pete
1. Is swapping lower units out on a seasonal base a feasible consideration?
2. Will I need to install a jack plate on the transom to lower the engine for use with the prop?
3. How much time will it take to swap (I've seen anywhere from 20 mins to 3 hours)?
4. In general how much would a lower unit purchase cost?
5. And finally, any tips or comments?
Thanks everyone for your help!
Pete