Is this too much motor for this boat?

[Rule303]

Ive just bought a secondhand boat, 4.5 metre or roughly 15 foot, fibreglass half cabin. It is a Brooker VC, hull about late 70s, early 80's. It has on it a Johnson 115hp, 1994 vintage. Im fairly new to boating and was wondering whether this is too much for a boat this size. The boat is in very good condition. The motor has been reconditioned, new pistons, rings, bearings etc. I am mainly going to use it in sheltered waters, never out of sight of land, the odd lake or river. Mostly fishing and a bit of cruising around. Other info I have received seems to point to a motor of 60-75 being more appropriate for a boat of this size and type. High speeds aren't necessary but I don't want to putt around too much like mr magoo. I've considered selling the motor and buying something smaller but the fact that it has recently had a lot of money spent on it makes me think I should live with what I've got. I dont want a dangerous or hard to handle boat.

 

[DJ]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

Most boats, I have no idea where you are, have a "Capacity" plate. that indicates MAX. HP.

Reading that your boat has a cabin, I'm assuming it is heavy. 115 is not overpower:redface:ing, in that scenario. Personal opinion.

PLUS, we have to remember, you only need to use the available HP that you NEED.

Actually, weight is the biggest issue. That engine weighs about 310 pounds. Many lower HP units, of today, weigh in at close/over that.

IMHO-Keep it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

thats a big motor for that boat......

on the back part of your boat.....(the transom) is a tag.....it will say the max hp rating for the boat.

if you cant find it.....here is a link to the uscg rules........the max hp rating is actually a math calculation.......

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_safety/safety/boatwater/backyardboatbuilders.pdf

imho....it is ok to go over by a few hp.....(10-15)....but not 50.....

cheers
oops

 

[Rule303]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

Location is Gold Coast, Australia. Havent got round to setting up my id. The boat has a plate, but I cant make out Max HP. Max people on board is 4. When I say half cabin, its not that big, a 6 footer would hang over the end of the long cushions on either side. Heres a couple of pics.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

i would go ahead and run it. there is a lot of heavy fiberglass there. you do not have to use all that power. it will help getting that boat out of the hole, and up on plane, then cutting power back, 3/4 power saves gas.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

I agree with Tash -- fiberglass gets heavy and it appears the interior is stripped of its seating and other equipment. Installing replacements will add weight so I would keep the motor. Interesting concept with the light bar. Looks like it is mounted on the boat rather than the trailer.

 

[mthieme]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

If the scum line is any indication, the weight of the motor is not an issue.
I came up with 95 hp max according to the USCG calculation...not awfully far away.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

Welcome to iboats! That is a nice looking boat to my eyes. Find the Aussie equivalent to the U.S.Coastguard and find out if they have records for the capacity. If your boat is legally overpowered I doubt it is by much.

I like the cabin. It would extend the comfortable season here by a few weeks.

Good luck with your new purchase.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

Really cool looking boat with a neat design and layout!

Take it out and feel it out!

 

[Rule303]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

Thanks for all your replies. Im doing a boat operators course in 2 days, so once Im legit, I'll take it out for a spin, see how she goes. The last owner of the boat carried surfboards in the cabin for his surfing mates so had no need for seats. i'll probably rectify that, standing up all day gets a bit boring.

 

[Rule303]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

The light bar is a detachable type. It hangs off 2 hooks on the transom. You probably cant see them but there are 2 white cable tie loops. Its sounds a bit bodgy but it seems to work.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

115 hp is fine as long as you're legal.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

As mthieme pointed out, the water stain on the transom suggests that the stern doesn't sit especially low in the water. In fact, it looks like it is just a bit above the chines, which is about where you would expect it to be.

If you know the manufacturer, model and production year of the boat, you can probably surf the internet to find out what the capacities are for it. My guess is that you are a bit over what the boat is rated for, but not by much.

If you are over, you just have to make your own decision as to whether or not that is something that you want to fix. I think the questions that I would be asking myself are -

What is the condition of the transom?

What are the laws in Australia/Queensland about engine capacity?

How does the boat handle in all wind/sea conditions with this motor?

How does the boat handle at all speeds that this motor can produce?

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

The boat will probably be pretty reasonably fast (40-50). Ive driven shallow V hull boats at 50mph and they can be a handfull but I can drive bassboats 65-80mph with little effort at all. My concern would be at max speed how does the boat handle. Seems like a good boat and I wouldn't be to concerned. Even if the boat is rated for a 90hp the weight difference between a 90 and a 115(both V4) is minimal if anything. Im not sure the legalities but you may want to launch the boat just to see how it sits in the water or bring a liscensed boater with you if you just cant wait.

 

[xxturbowesxx]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

Double post sorry

 

[mphy98]

Re: Is this too much motor for this boat?

as i once said in my much younger days there is no such thing as too big a motor, just sometimes too small a boat