I can't believe some engineer thought this was a good idea. Maybe I'm the crazy one? But when the powerhead of an "outboard" is underwater, there is inherently something just waiting to happen. Water detection probe is part of the engine and so is a bilge pump. But what happens if your battery goes dead? You get a flooded powerhead. What are your thoughts??
2025 Alumacraft Trophy 185X Sport | Boating Mag
I have done quite a bit of reading on the underboard motor and I don't think it will last very long. It makes me flash backs of Forces L drive.
Time will tell the Rotax underboard survives during the trial & error of 4-5yr period, any reviews out there? I found myself being drawn in with some of the other features the boat had to offer. I like the rear deck idea for storage and the locking rod locker for up to 10' rod depending model boat. Since I'm not a bass guy the front pedestal seats are not in my favor as with the ski package. Also, seeing the cost of some who are replacing the curved windshield in their current boats is questionable. A boat like this should have a kicker too.
Let's see:
2-stoke which is louder than 4-stroke technology
Huge (44" x 47") size
Heavy: Weight of 150hp is 522 pounds—that’s about 57 pounds heavier than a Mercury 150 FourStroke outboard and 150 pounds heavier than a Mercury 115 FourStroke
15 bolts to just remove the cowling
Powerhead is underwater? What could go wrong?
Engine cowling gets covered in slime due it being in the water, which would require lots of extra cleaning.
How would this beast do in the winter with ice chunks in the water or simply being covered with icing due to cold temps and it's proximity to the water?
I would find it difficult to believe anyone would think this is a good idea.
This review has some strong language, but it is worth the listen for the points he brings up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjchYtPbd0k
I’m With Bob and others! I’ll pass. I just ordered a new boat with Mercury 150 pro XS proven reliable power for me! Will get in in March, can’t wait, hoping for a bit of hard deck fishing, which I think we should have a few more options very shortly.
Tight lines
Mildog
(01-12-2025, 12:18 AM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]I’m With Bob and others! I’ll pass. I just ordered a new boat with Mercury 150 pro XS proven reliable power for me! Will get in in March, can’t wait, hoping for a bit of hard deck fishing, which I think we should have a few more options very shortly.
Tight lines
Mildog
I'm leaning VERY hard toward a Lund Adventure 1775 Sport with MAX HP of 115 Four Stroke myself. I'm going to Rogers Marine next week to check it out. What are you leaning towards? 
(01-12-2025, 12:18 AM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]I’m With Bob and others! I’ll pass. I just ordered a new boat with Mercury 150 pro XS proven reliable power for me! Will get in in March, can’t wait, hoping for a bit of hard deck fishing, which I think we should have a few more options very shortly.
Tight lines
Mildog
Just curious if a Suzuki was an option and how much price difference was there?
I’ve owned a few Mercs, a Yammy F150, but those reviews of the ‘Zukes’ look awfully tempting if I ever buy a new boat again.
(01-13-2025, 01:37 AM)MrShane Wrote: [ -> ]Just curious if a Suzuki was an option and how much price difference was there? I’ve owned a few Mercs, a Yammy F150, but those reviews of the ‘Zukes’ look awfully tempting if I ever buy a new boat again.
Be sure you check out warrenty, service, and reliability of the suzy outboards. Back in the 80s, it sucked. Possibly they have improved over the years. I'm sticking with a Merc 4-stroke on my new Lund. 
(01-13-2025, 01:38 PM)dubob Wrote: [ -> ] (01-13-2025, 01:37 AM)MrShane Wrote: [ -> ]Just curious if a Suzuki was an option and how much price difference was there? I’ve owned a few Mercs, a Yammy F150, but those reviews of the ‘Zukes’ look awfully tempting if I ever buy a new boat again.
Be sure you check out warrenty, service, and reliability of the suzy outboards. Back in the 80s, it sucked. Possibly they have improved over the years. I'm sticking with a Merc 4-stroke on my new Lund.
The new Suzukis are amazing.
If Yamaha did not dominate the outboard world I’m sure Suzuki is #2?
A guy cannot go wrong with a Yammy also.
I personally put a two stroker Mercury on my boat in my 2016 build, but I am a huge fan of two strokes and I realize that is not the norm.
Mercury hit a home run with there 150 four stroke line.
Kinda seemed like it saved Merc, not unlike saving the Ram line of trucks when they teamed up with Cummins.
Tohatsu might be #3 in world wide sales possibly?
Those Honda outboards are proven performers also but until Honda puts their motors on a serious diet they will not be top sellers in Utah’s market.
I’m just tickled there are so many outboards being used nowadays, using outboards will definitely help slow the spread of invasive mussels.
I had lots of luck with Merc as have several buddies /relatives that I fish with quite often. Warranty and service is available locally at several dealers. The Boat I am getting, is most commonly paired with Merc since the same company owns both.
(01-13-2025, 07:38 PM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]I had lots of luck with Merc as have several buddies /relatives that I fish with quite often. Warranty and service is available locally at several dealers. The Boat I am getting, is most commonly paired with Merc since the same company owns both.
Nothing wrong with a Merc at all.
Mine is a 2016 175 ProXS two stroke.
Never let me down.
Never been to the dealer or shop since I picked in up in September of 2016.
I also run oil hubs, have not had to touch them even once since picking up in 2016.
In other states it is easy to get a Yammy/Suzuki/Honda on a Lund.
Not in Utah.
You will have a blast in your Lund.
I owned a 2013 Lund 1850 Impact with 150 fourstroke and it was an excellent fishing boat!
Have fun with your new boat!!
Not a Lund, I am getting a Crestliner. Actually both Lund and Crestliner are also owned by same parent Co that owns Mercury. They are made in same building. One side puts out Lund the other side makes Crestliner. Lund are riveted, Crestliner are welded. Both are great boats!! Have fished a lot In both of them. I like them both. It came down to one or the other. I ended up choosing the Crestliner. I have heard that once some pre existing contracts expire they will try to sell both with only Mercury, not sure if true but I think that’s why Merc/brunswick bought the boat companies, to sell more outboards! Looking forward to a new Boat. Already ordering a few accessories to set it up when it’s ready!
(01-14-2025, 05:51 AM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]Already ordering a few accessories to set it up when it’s ready!
Yep, downriggers, sonar, electric trolling motor, lithium batteries, rod holders, planer board masts, etc. It all adds up to several thousands of dollars real quick.
(01-14-2025, 05:51 AM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]Not a Lund, I am getting a Crestliner. Actually both Lund and Crestliner are also owned by same parent Co that owns Mercury. They are made in same building. One side puts out Lund the other side makes Crestliner. Lund are riveted, Crestliner are welded. Both are great boats!! Have fished a lot In both of them. I like them both. It came down to one or the other. I ended up choosing the Crestliner. I have heard that once some pre existing contracts expire they will try to sell both with only Mercury, not sure if true but I think that’s why Merc/brunswick bought the boat companies, to sell more outboards! Looking forward to a new Boat. Already ordering a few accessories to set it up when it’s ready!
Awesome!
I owned a Crestliner 180TS with 175 Evinrude Ficht on it and that was a very good fishing boat also.
Then bought a G3 with Yammy 150 on it.
Yammy was great, the G3 sucked.
I dumped the G3 as soon as I could on a trade in for the Lund Impact.
Don’t you just love all the discussions of riveted vs. welded!
We could start a whole new thread on just that topic!!!! Which one is stronger? Which one lasts longer? Which one more prone to leaks? Which one easier to repair?
What model Cresty did you buy?
(01-14-2025, 04:46 PM)dubob Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2025, 05:51 AM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]Already ordering a few accessories to set it up when it’s ready!
Yep, downriggers, sonar, electric trolling motor, lithium batteries, rod holders, planer board masts, etc. It all adds up to several thousands of dollars real quick.
Bob, you forgot to add kicker motor!
(01-14-2025, 04:46 PM)dubob Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2025, 05:51 AM)Mildog Wrote: [ -> ]Already ordering a few accessories to set it up when it’s ready!
Yep, downriggers, sonar, electric trolling motor, lithium batteries, rod holders, planer board masts, etc. It all adds up to several thousands of dollars real quick.
Bob, you forgot to add kicker motor!
(01-14-2025, 05:31 PM)MrShane Wrote: [ -> ]Bob, you forgot to add kicker motor!
No kicker on my boat. Don't need one - yet! We'll see.
(01-14-2025, 10:53 PM)dubob Wrote: [ -> ] (01-14-2025, 05:31 PM)MrShane Wrote: [ -> ]Bob, you forgot to add kicker motor!
No kicker on my boat. Don't need one - yet! We'll see.
In about ‘17, maybe early ‘18, I put that Suzuki 9.9 EFI kicker on my boat.
Although it has electric start, it is considered a ‘battery-less’ EFI motor that also has a backup recoil rope starter on top of cowling.
Starts immediately with push button starter and twice I have fired it up with rope starter, once at Buckboard while running sonar/radio/electric riggers/and I was culling baby Macs so had livewell pump on all morning ( that is naughty, I know… ) and once in Good Hope Bay when I left some switches on over night on accident.
That little Zuke kicks out 12 amps.
Knowing I have a rope-start ‘EFI generator with prop’ bolted on to back of my boat has taken 100% fear of dead battery away.
Priceless.
Don’t forget to get iTroll also! ( Just make sure you turn it off overnight, haha).
Good luck with your boat also.
Hope to see your’s and Mike’s new boats on the water this year!!
MrShane,
I agree with you and the "generator" comment. My 9.9 Merc ProKicker on my new Tracker ProGuide175 makes me feel a whole lot more comfortable should your batteries ever go dead. I too have electric start on my kicker but it has a pull rope too, if needed. Getting to shore is not a big problem at smaller reservoirs, but on Bear Lake, the Gorge, or even Willard Bay it can become a life-threatening situation. Plus I"m not a fan of trying to "troll" at 2.5mph with an electric motor in the first place.
(01-15-2025, 01:56 AM)BearLakeFishGuy Wrote: [ -> ]MrShane,
I agree with you and the "generator" comment. My 9.9 Merc ProKicker on my new Tracker ProGuide175 makes me feel a whole lot more comfortable should your batteries ever go dead. I too have electric start on my kicker but it has a pull rope too, if needed. Getting to shore is not a big problem at smaller reservoirs, but on Bear Lake, the Gorge, or even Willard Bay it can become a life-threatening situation. Plus I"m not a fan of trying to "troll" at 2.5mph with an electric motor in the first place.
I use my electric to troll up to 1.9 mph.
If I need to go quicker that 2.0 mph for any extended amount of time, I fire up my Suzuki kicker and point straight ahead while steering with my Ulterra at about speed setting 5’ish depending on wind of course.
I would have liked the Merc 9.9 to match my big motor but Merc did not have EFI at the time.
I know Yammy used to make some of the power heads for Merc 9.9’s but now I believe the Merc 9.9’s are made by Tohatsu?
Please correct me if I have wrong information.
Have a great 2025 BLFG!