SIZING MOTOR TO BOAT HELP

[mav6759]

I just bought a 1987 Nitro Pro Series Bass Boat 18ft-10'. I need some help determining what motors I can use on the boat.. There is no outboard sticker on the boat and Nitro customer service does not go back that far...I'm not looking to go very fast, because i found out fish don't swim that fast...I have the opportunity to get a 90hp Johnson from the mid 80"s, can anyone tell me if that would be able to push a 18ft boat without putting any strain on the motor..

Thanks Mav

 

[Sea Rider]

If it will push, definitely will push, if it will plane it's other story. Will be ideal to know what's the max OB and passenger capacity rated for that 18 footer as a base line. If dialing an underpowered OB you can always maximize a prop to take all the ponies out. for your particular boating purposes.

Happy Boating

 

[alldodge]

The current model ZV18 allows up to 200 hp.
Maybe contact Nitro and ask them
http://www.nitro.com/about/contact.cfm

 

[Bayou Dave]

Go here and look up the specs on your boat. You will find the max HP allowed.
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/

 

[jbcurt00]

Go here and look up the specs on your boat. You will find the max HP allowed.
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/

Yep ^^^

Thanks DRS

Looks like 185hp is the max for the only 3 18ft models:
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Nitro_by_Tracker_Marine__1987/bp/34br2010s0y

 

[Silvertip]

If the maximum for the boat is 175 - 200 HP then a 90 HP anything is going to be complete slug. The rule of thumb is the minimum acceptable HP is 75%of the maximum rated. If the rating is 175 then 75% of that is 130 HP. If 200 HP then 150 is ok. In either case, 90 is going to struggle to get the boat on plane.