Thanks! I keep reminding myself that all that's left is to bolt a new motor on. I'm gonna stick with the df140 because that's what it's set up for and tach and controls are good. By my loose calculations, I figure I removed about 150 to 200 lbs. out of the rear third of the boat. In deck live well is gone, completely saturated transom core GONE and replaced with the Baltek. I'm going to launch it again this weekend so I can get some side pictures. Cheers!

I loved seeing this thread until I came to the engine block failure. :(

I just purchased a new fuel tank for my '87 18SF from RDS. Because of hose particulate matter in my pre-filter, I ran new fuel fill and vent lines from a new location at the rear to the old tank only to discover I also needed to replace the 31 yr. old fuel tank because of corrosion on the fill and vent necks.. That's coming up as soon as I get enough time free to run and fish the remaining 35 gallons out of the old tank. It goes through 3 filters before getting to my motor. A see-through glass pre-filter, a Racor water-separating filter with viewing bowl, and a small 10 micron cartridge filter I added on the motor.

When I mounted the 90 Etec this summer, we tested the transom and it was completely dry. Yay!

Yeah, what a bummer.

I'm with ya on the filters! I was thinking I had a 35 gal. tank all along until I took it out and measured it. Calculated just over 30 gal. My new tank is 6" longer giving me just over 35 gal. now. All new hoses, fittings, etc. along with a new Racor with the glass bowl.

Glad the transom is good!

Man, that sucks. Sorry to hear your bad luck. And on the first time out. Never fails, there is always a bump to get over. If I come across a good deal on a 140 I will let you know. Currently looking for a 250-300 for the 23 sceptre I am working on so I've been scanning around the listings.

Update. Been searching for the best deal on a df140 and may just be in business next month. Got an awesome price from a dealer on a 2019 white and hope to finalize the deal soon. Motor will have to be ordered, but, should only take a couple days to get. Fingers crossed...

Ordering motor today! Bout like a 9 year old at Disney World!

Well...as luck would have it, my motor is on backorder until 5/20/19. Bout to pull what little hair I have left out! Pray for me!

Just think, you get to re-live the excitement of getting a new outboard for 20 more days!

Frizz, I don't know how much more excitement I can handle! :p

This just in...picked up my 2019 DF140 in white yesterday! Should be going for a ride this evening!