Advice on Princecraft 164SS

duke · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am **Posts:** 36

Looking at buying a new 164SS Princecraft. Is 16'6" and has a split windshield with casting deck up front and 75#trolling motor. It has a 75hp etec motor. Would like some input from anyone having this type of boat with positives and negatives. Will be using it mainly for fishing on the bay and will be trailering to and from there. Also if anyone has a 75 etec on a similar boat what is the top speed and can you troll for walleye with it?
Thanks in advance

Maverick · **Joined:** Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:32 am **Posts:** 586

just out of curiousity where can you buy a new princecraft with an etec on it? I was told by a princecraft/merc/evinrude dealer that princecraft would only allow their boats to be sold with a merc?

I personally think the ETEC is one of the nicest outboards out there. And I've always been a big fan of the princecraft boats.

duke · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am **Posts:** 36

Maverick, It can be done but is a little more expensive. Also the dealer has to change out the controls and I think the guages (not sure about that). I will let you know the dealer when we get a deal done. I wasnt going to buy one unless it had the etec on it and he said he would change it out. He sayes he has had to do a few now.

steve-hamilton · **Joined:** Fri Apr 25, 2003 7:40 am **Posts:** 1776

duker, many manufacturers aren't supposed to change up the "merc", but will do it anyways.....they dont want to loose a sale....

P.D · **Joined:** Mon Apr 15, 2002 4:29 am **Posts:** 18

If you want a Princecraft with a Etec call Steve at Smarts Marina 613 336 2222.

duke · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am **Posts:** 36

I delt with Jeff at Big Lake Boats in Cobourg. Was good to deal with and has a good selection of boats.
Anyone out there have a 75 etec? Would still like to know if it is possible to troll with them.

Hooklineandsinker · **Joined:** Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:34 pm **Posts:** 270

it shouldn't be a prob I've trolled with 150hp etec no prb u just have to use a drift sock with it.

West Lake Willows · **Posted:** Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:41 am

I can't speak specifically about the e-tec but I had a 75 honda on a 16' 7" mirrocraft and I could troll down to about 2 mph on flat water (a lot less in waves or a head wind) so I added a trolling plate and I could then get down to about 0.7 mph so I didn't have much of a problem a lot of the time I would use the plate trolling down wind then lift the plate coming back up wind because I didn't need it. I'd imagine it will be similar with an e-tec I've never driven one only seen their cheesy propoganda video (sorry guys nice motor but the dvd is pure propoganda I think Micheal Moore produced it). I did hear that if you use a trolling plate you should bore out the center to let the exhaust escape so you aren't recycling it through your water intake. I haven't had the opportunity to verify this through a mechanic but it kinda makes sense I might look into it. Just for comparisons sake I could get about 43 mph alone in the boat and about 35 mph loaded I'd imagine the e-tec will be faster. Congrats on the boat it will be a really nice combo.

duke · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am **Posts:** 36

Thanks for the replies. Just started checking out this site this year. Seems like a good bunch of local fisherman on here. Hopefully I will get to meet a few of you on the bay this year.

catcher · **Joined:** Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:12 pm **Posts:** 393

I have a 164ss with a 60 four stroke mercury on it. And it trolls down nice and it goes about 38 miles an hour wide open. The only problem with the 164ss is the windshield sits to low. When you sit in the seat while you are trolling you look directly into the window bar on top of the windshield. And you are full throttle you have to crouch down to see anyhting. But other than the stupid windshield configeration it is a great boat. It comes up on plane nice and cuts through the bay really nice. It is a real breeze putting it on and off the trailer. While like I said the windshield is the only problem . if they only raised it about 8 inches it would be one of the best boats out there.

catcher · **Joined:** Fri Dec 31, 2004 1:12 pm **Posts:** 393

I have a 164ss with a 60 four stroke mercury on it. And it trolls down nice and it goes about 38 miles an hour wide open. The only problem with the 164ss is the windshield sits to low. When you sit in the seat while you are trolling you look directly into the window bar on top of the windshield. And you are full throttle you have to crouch down to see anyhting. But other than the stupid windshield configeration it is a great boat. It comes up on plane nice and cuts through the bay really nice. It is a real breeze putting it on and off the trailer. While like I said the windshield is the only problem . if they only raised it about 8 inches it would be one of the best boats out there.

duke · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am **Posts:** 36

Finally got the new boat and tried it out yesterday. Seems to work great. Catcher like you said the windshield could be a bit higher but other than that liked everything else. The 75 etec worked great. Wide open did 43mpg with 2 in it and there was a good wind. Dont think it will slow down enough to troll though so might need a trolling plate.
Will try to get a pic and post it over the next week.

smerch · **Posted:** Sun Jun 24, 2007 9:15 pm

One of our club members in St.Catharines bought a new 75 HP Etec and love s the way it performs . He was asked at the dealers in Port Colborne what way he will be using it and he said for fishing , especially trolling . They just hooked up the computer & dropped the rpm's by 150 and he ended up winning the salmon derby last week .......happy camper ! From what I've read about these motors , they are #1 in technology ....even the bass guys are buying them up ! Congrats on your new boat .

Fishn-Hunter · **Posted:** Wed Jul 04, 2007 10:35 am

Duke you will love the boat and the E-tec is a dream come true for all boaters. I have a 90hp E-tec on a super pro 166 Princecraft and I wouldnt trade it for the world. By far the best outboard out there in my opinion and I have used the best of them. As far as for trolling, I have a trolling plate and with it up I was getting 2.7mph by GPS on flat water, with plate down .9mph on flat water wich is perfect for walleye. And that is with a 17 pitch prop. But like west lake willows said, plate down with the wind and plate up into wind works great.
Enjoy the E-tec it speeks for itself! Don't listen to those skeptic's who have not used one.
P.S. Fuel economy is second too none!

duke · **Joined:** Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:49 am **Posts:** 36

I have had it out now 3 or 4 times and no complaints. Very happy with the ETEC. But do believe I will be installing a trolling plate like you say. Just doesnt troll quite slow enough.

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Advice on Princecraft 164SS

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