33HP enough????

[sosume]

Hi, I'm new to boating and just bought a 15' 1965 Reinell Runabout. I need to find an engine for the boat. It currently has a Merc. 50hp that is 'toast'. Do you think an Evinrude 33hp (2 cylinder/1 carb) motor is sufficient for this size boat? (to get the boat to move along fairly well and to plane correctly?). Probably won't be pulling skiers or tubers - the boat will just be used for pleasure cruising on lakes, with up to 4 people aboard. Thanks for the advice.

 

[larky]

Re: 33HP enough????

what hp is the boat rated for? 70% of that value is what people say you should never drop below. you won't be satisfied. tell us more about the merc. are you sure its toast?

 

[sosume]

Re: 33HP enough????

Oil and gas from cyl. 3 & 4 is blowing back into one of the the carbs. Several boat shops have told me the reed valves need replacing...and that the Merc motor (1975 Thunderbolt 500) is not worth rebuilding (estimate: 2-3K) A used motor would be the way to go. So...I found a good used Evinrude 33 hp (ski-twin) for $900. I'm just wondering about the power for my 15' boat. These same boat shops told me I would need a 40-50hp motor. But I'm not looking to win any races. Just pleasure cruising and enough power to plane the boat out with 4 people aboard.

 

[sosume]

Re: 33HP enough????

By the way...I have no idea what size motor the boat is rated for. No information or manuals came with the boat explaining anything. I'm learning by way of the 'school of hard knocks'.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: 33HP enough????

Just my 2 cents. I have a 1957 15' whitehouse runaboat that had a 57 35hp Johnson on it which was the original motor for this boat I assume. Now I have never had this boat on the lake and it is a V bottom hull. I am sure that the 33hp will push your boat but the concern would be if it would plane out like it should, especially with all these passengers you plan on having onboard.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 33HP enough????

ratings were not required prior to 1972, 15' glass boats of that era, ran 50's to 75's. 33hp with 4 people may get on plane, those boats were heavy. be sure you don't not have any saturated foam, as that is the time period, it was introduced.

 

[larky]

Re: 33HP enough????

$900 for a 33hp sounds a bit steep to me. but i guess it depends on what part of the country you are in.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 33HP enough????

keep looking.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: 33HP enough????

$900 for a 33hp sounds a bit steep to me. but i guess it depends on what part of the country you are in.

I was thinking the exact same thing. You can get those motors and bigger for next to nothing up here. I turn them away all the time.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 33HP enough????

I agree. $900 is too much, unless that 33hp is absolutely pristine and with very low hours. Still, I think you'll do a lot better with a 50 hp on the back of that or even one of those odd 48hp OMCs. Even a 40hp would be a better choice than a 33, and there are tons of those around for a lot less than $900.

Whatever you do, check out your new used outboard well. If at all possible try to arrange for a trial on the water. That's often not possible, but it's ideal.

Finally, do not buy an electric shift OMC outboard if you value your sanity.

You don't indicate where you live, but if there's a Craig's List for your area, check it out. This time of year there are always tons of outboards for sale.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 33HP enough????

i just bought a 1988 50 hp for $335.00. and it runs w/ trim & tilt.

here's a nice 1980 50hp ebay # 320243023534

 

[sosume]

Re: 33HP enough????

Thanks for the advice everyone.

It appears from your input an Evinrude 33hp motor will not power my boat correctly. So I'll keep looking for something around 50hp or bigger.

I've searched my area (Pacific Northwest) for a suitable engine and have found prices for used 50hp motors are anywhere from $600 to $1500 and more (1970's to 1980's vintage). I've called established new boat dealers, independant boat repair shops and have looked on Craigslist. I'm very surprised at how expensive these used motors are.

In many cases, I can find an older boat, motor AND trailer combo for the same prices as folks are asking for motors all by themselves! Maybe that's the way to go?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 33HP enough????

i have bought many combos, to get the motor and trailer. put the boat in the front yard, FREE BOAT ONLY. then sell the trailer, or make a utility trailer.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 33HP enough????

Thanks for the advice everyone.

It appears from your input an Evinrude 33hp motor will not power my boat correctly. So I'll keep looking for something around 50hp or bigger.

I've searched my area (Pacific Northwest) for a suitable engine and have found prices for used 50hp motors are anywhere from $600 to $1500 and more (1970's to 1980's vintage). I've called established new boat dealers, independant boat repair shops and have looked on Craigslist. I'm very surprised at how expensive these used motors are.

In many cases, I can find an older boat, motor AND trailer combo for the same prices as folks are asking for motors all by themselves! Maybe that's the way to go?

Thanks again for the help.

Yowza. Find a combo with a junky boat, but that you can test on the water. You're right...a lot of times you can grab the whole outfit for less than the motor alone...there are some good outboards on boats you wouldn't be seen in.

If you don't need the boat or the trailer, put an ad in Craig's List or a sign on the boat and trailer and either sell it for cheap or give it away. It'll disappear soon enough.

The important thing is the outboard, and being able to test it on the water is priceless. All the compression tests, etc. are fine, but running it on the water is the key. Just wear your lifejacket, in case the transom falls off the junky boat.

 

[sosume]

Re: 33HP enough????

Thanks everybody. I'm glad I asked for your advice.

Wish me luck!

Frank

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: 33HP enough????

A 33hp motor will push that boat at about 17 - 18 mph with one person and minimal gear, assuming that you aren't lugging a bunch of water in the foam. In order to get it to plane with 4 people and associated "stuff," you would probably have to go down to a 12" pitch prop and you won't go very fast. Frankly, I doubt you would be happy.

I also agree that $900 is way too much for the motor unless it has been substantially rebuilt by someone that you are sure knows what they are doing. For this price, I would be looking for engine compression at about 110 psi, a properly rebuilt carb, ignition system, fuel pump and water pump. I would also want to know that the clutch dog and gears are in good shape, and that the gears have never been "cut" because of previous shifting problems. The gearcase should also have been properly resealed or be able to pass a pressure test.

As has been mentioned by others, I would look for a later model, thru the hub exhaust type motor. Bear in mind that these motors up to 1972 had hydro-electric shift and, while this system actually works quite well if it is in good shape, can be problematic from a parts availibility standpoint if it isn't.

I think that an OMC motor of about 1975 vintage would be good - either a 50hp or 70hp should push the boat well, and allow you to select a prop that will perform efficiently with the variety of loads that you anticipate.