83 Exciter questions

[SouthernBoy]

What is the maximum HP the Exciter is rated for? Currently has a 200 Merc on a jackplate with a 24 Chopper Prop. Looking to change the prop for sking, somewhere around 21 or 23? Thanks.

[SouthernBoy]

What is the maximum HP the Exciter is rated for? Currently has a 200 Merc on a jackplate with a 24 Chopper Prop. Looking to change the prop for sking, somewhere around 21 or 23? Thanks.

[AP]

First you want to check the transom some older boats for outboards were rated for engines of there era. Most if not all older outboards were power rated at the shaft not the prop so if you have a old merc 200 ahe is deduct 18% for the loxer unit gears and theres your true power. But new engines are all rated at the prop so a 2005 200 merc is a 200hp engine at the wheel I have a 18' 3" exciter with a 175 johnson 2002 and also a 115 johnson for it for long cruse and sking cause it's better on gas but my exciter is reated for 180hp. I won't put more than a 175 because of the power difference in new engines from old ones. If your a 21' boat you are fine with your 200 new or old but rap your transom in a stainless bracket for extra suport. my 175 is bored out and rolls my boat a scary 72-80 and the 115 is between 55-60 depending on my prop i use and tide water cond and if i just feel like droping the hammer I also lighted the boat up with my overhaul and had 2 master boatbuilders help me }family} you could put a 250 on the back of your boat but check that transom out real good it's a 1983 hull so use you best judgement.....GOOD LUCK ..................AP

[SouthernBoy]

Thanks for the info, owner looks to have kept this boat in garage or under a nice boat cover most of its life (came with a nice canvas boat cover) Top deck is faded badly, but boat had the original interior. Wood under seats has no rot, but leather is dried and starting to crack. Came with an '83 Merc 2.4 200, powerhead changed to an '89 Merc 2.5 200 because they jacked the motor up too high and ran the original powerhead hot. I am going to put a water pressure gage and temp gage on the motor, compression checked out good 115 to 120 across all cylinders, motor was cold and had not been cranked up in a few months. Put the hose to it and it cranked right up though. Boat needs some other minor fiberglass repairs around rub rail. What prop to do run with the 175? Thanks.