boat researching

[Johnr]

I own a 1996 Smoker Craft 192 fazer with a 175 Merc EFI. The engine has been GREAT, very reliable and eazy to maintain. If you get the EFI model do not use the choke to start in cold weather as this motor is tuned very rich. I just pull up on the idle lever and it starts fine (you push the key in on mine to choke it and it just seems like too much fuel as it does not start as easily as just pulling the lever up slightly). The boat has been good but I would recommend a vinyl floor and not carpet. Carpet is too much of a pain in the butt to keep clean especially with kids, worm dirt, sunflower seeds, power bait, fish blood, soda spills etc.. One thing I have to do a lot is keep tightening screws as they work loose a lot especially after runs in rough water. As a few others have stated the more power you have the better, I really would be fine with less h.p. but the nice thing about more power is a higher cruising speed when you want it. A fiberglass boat will ride a bit better because it is much easier to form fiberglass into better bottom shapes i.e. chines,lifting strakes and more complex bottom forms. It is a bit hard to shape aluminum unless you use pretty basic shapes, although there is a newer technology called stretch forming for aluminum that is helping in more complex bottom designs. Fiberglass boats tend to be quite a bit heavier than alumium which is better for ride quality but it has it's drawbacks as well. If you do get a boat with a carpet floor try to get one that has snap in carpet. I loved the carpet in my boat for the first few years and now I wish I had vinyl!! I hope you find your perfect boat. Have a Wonderful Day Sincerely John R.[sly] P.S. if you get an aluminum boat check for electrolisys on the hull!! (little tiny holes) and remember to disconnect the battery if you store the boat for awhile to prevent this.
[signature]