50hp on a 16' tri-hull

[brian2586]

I just upgraded my motor from a 20hp to a 50 hp on a 16ft tri-hull. I'm dying to see how it will do but I have a few small things left to finish up. How do you guys think it will perform as far as speed and payload increases. The old motor wouldn't even get it up on plane with 2 people in it.

 

[jimh1626]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

I had a 16' tri hull with a 65 Merc on it back in the early 70's and it would get up to about 32 - 35 mph. It pulled us slalom sking and would even pull us barefooting, but just barely. You should do ok with it. Maybe 28 - 32 mph. You should plane just fine.
That's my 2 cents and I may be totally wrong.

 

[brian2586]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

I'm mostly just worried about gettting up on plane. If I got 28-32 I would be ecstatic. No skiing on this boat just don't wanna take 2 hours to get to my fishin spots. Thanks for the reply.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

You should be ok.
A 16' tri hull could weigh anywhere from 600# up to 1600#, so speed is hard to predict.

It will probably be very sensitive to extra payload though.
On some boats, you would barely notice an extra 500#, but on some an extra 200 is significant.

Keep us posted with your results.

Good Luck.

 

[brian2586]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

Will do. Thanks again.

 

[Smokey496]

I hope it works out well for you.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

I bought a new '71 Chrysler Sport Fury tri-hull with a Chrysler 55 hp. Had a wife and 4 chillins. Don't remember how fast it ran with that load but it wasn't adequate power for that load primarily because we wanted to ski and tube too, even though the boat was light weight and had a shallow bow dead rise and pretty much flat transom (easy to plane out).

On your boat, if it is a light tri-hull with similar bottom features, you should achieve your goal.

HTH,

Mark

 

[chicknwing]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

My buddy has a 16 foot tri-hull bass boat with a 50 yammy on the back, he generally has 5 kids wife and self on the boat, runs about 20-25 wot. Think you will have no problem hitting 28-32 (depending on load).

 

[eavega]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

I've run a 50 HP on the back of my 15' Tri-hull (weight is approx 800 Lbs, plus load. Boat is rated for a 70 HP Max), and planing it out was a bit of a task which involved adding trim tabs, and taking note of which way the wind was blowing, Propped down to a 13 " Pitch. That was with two adults and two small ( less than 50 Lbs each ) kids. It got the job done, but it was not without some forethought. Top speed was about 28 MPH by GPS. It would pull a tube, but certainly not terribly fast. I don't think it would've pulled a skier up. No hole shot whatsoever.
I've since upgraded to a 70 HP and am much happier. Planes out fairly easily, top speed of 32 MPH-35 MPH with three adults or two adults and two kids. I've pulled tubes, and kneeboards. The kids take it as a challenge to stay on the tubes when I am driving
What is your hull rated for? That may give you an indication of how heavy it is, and thus how well it will perform with a 50 HP on the back. If its rated for, say, 90 HP, you may be disappointed. On the other hand, if it is rated for 70 HP like mine, then you may be in the ballpark.

Rgds

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

it iwll do OK but you may need to work on a couple of tricks to get it to plane. If you have tilt/trim, use that. If not, send your crew fore and aft. Running over shallow water (and a soft bottom) will lift a boat, too.

 

[slag]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

I have a 50 hp evinrude on a 1972 Glassmaster 14 foot trihull and it runs and planes well. No need for a whaletail or trim tabs. I've had the whole family (5 of us), out on our tri hull fishing boat and it planed just fine. My 10 yr old son was driving and didn't want to give it full throttle until near the end of the video. Electric shift 4 life!! My wife said she'd never go on the boat again as there was no room to move. She's used to our Regal bowrider though which has a ton of room.

 

[Larry Tate]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

if you want good towing/ family boat you should go to 85% of what your hull is rated for. for example, if its rated for 100 hp, opt for a 85 hp. the extra money for the higher rated motor will be money well spent everytime u and ur buddies drop the hammer. what is the hull rated for?

 

[cr2k]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

Motor brand makes a diff in the REAL HP. Force/Chrystler 55=about 45 real HP, Yamaha 50 = about 55 Real HP, Merc + about 3-5 HP over rated OMC about what they are rated.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

Nice video, slag - that motor pushes her along quite well.

Brian - as long as your boat isn't too much heavier (it's got to weigh at least a bit more I'd think) and your engine's in good tune you could probably expect similar to slightly less performance.

 

[brian2586]

Re: 50hp on a 16' tri-hull

Thanks for all the great info. If I can get what slag got in that video I will be totally happy. I have a few small things to rap up then hopefully it will be on the water next week. I will let you guys know how it went.