Thanks for all the stories and suggestions. I have plenty of time (I think) since I am not expecting to have her water-ready until the summer. I just wanted to start early assuming it will be a process. I will be making more calls this week.
As to the Merc-Zuke debate, these are the two options I entertained. What I like about the DF140 is its light weight, price and reputation. What I like about the 150 4S is the same, but with what I expect would be added performance. From what I can tell the Merc is really a 160 hp motor and Zuke is 130. That's a pretty big spread. Last thing I want is to do all this work and hang a new motor that does not give me the performance I am looking for.
I know it has been beat to death so I did not ask again previously, but my assumption is the Merc will allow me to push my Seafari at a 30mph cruise very efficiently even if relatively heavy. I envision having 4-6 people typically onboard for exploration trips around Boston Harbor, Cape Cod, Buzzards Bay, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket with the cuddy area loaded up with all the stuff the girls will want to bring. The other half of the time will be me and a couple of other guys fishing with a standalone livewell, coolers full of beer and ice and plenty of tackle. I don't want to have to push 5k RPM to get to 25 mph.
My final assumption is the torque from the 3.0 liter Merc will give me the performance the 2.0 liter Zuke cannot. I am all ears if any of the Zuke owners can show me I am wrong. I would have no problem hanging the Zuke.
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