Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

[Basserjeff]

A friend of mine purchased a boat from a guy that won a tournament. The winner sold the boat to my friend at a really good price. The boat is a Triton 21 xs with a Mercury 200 pro xs. I am concerned that the boat may be under powered when loaded with gear. The boat is rated 200 to 300 hp. It seems most boats this size and weight have at least 250 hp. Should I be concerned. If so, do you think a dealer would swap out the motor, is it a big deal to change the motor. I know there would be installation cost involved along with the cost difference of the 2 motors. The boat or motor has never been in the water, and has the full factory warranty. My friend really can't afford to keep the boat, so I was looking to take it off his hands. Just concerned about the motor size. Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

my 21 with a 150 does fine.


even though a motor has never been used, it's not new. Once it's registered to the buyer, the warranty kicks in and time starts running. so it's not that simple to go to a dealer and reade up. Not saying you can't.

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

The Triton 21 will be great with that Merc 200. It was not too long ago that the maximum HP on a Bass Boat was limited to 150...and they were still 60 mph boats. Now you will see Bass Boats with 300's on them. The 200 will push the boat very well, and will be more economical that the 250 for sure.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

I agree with everyone else, a 200 should be fine on that boat. I'll add that unless you have a fair amount of experience driving fast boats that you probably shouldn't get a bigger engine.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

I see people all the time with bigger boats and smaller motors and the boat does what a fishing boat is supposed to - provide a platform to catch fish.

the boat will do fine with the 200hp motor. it would do fine with a 100hp motor.

 

[boobie]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

The old rule of thumb. What ever the boat is rated for, the horse power should be 80% of that for good performance.

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

The old rule of thumb. What ever the boat is rated for, the horse power should be 80% of that for good performance.

Yes yes.. but bass boats have gotten ridiculous lately. People feel like because a tournament professional needs 300 hp, they do as well. Kinda like how many think since the guy that won the isle of man motorcycle race had xxx hp, they need that much in their street bike as well. 200 will push that boat just fine, IMO

 

[robert graham]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

That rig should run around 65MPH, trimmed up....is that enough for your wants/needs?....if not, then go for a bigger motor. But I can tell you from experience, 65MPH is plenty darn fast on the water, not even to consider the gas mileage at WOT!....good luck!

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Considering buying boat, but concerned about motor size.

Saw a flats boat in Key West last fall with a Yamaha 350 on the back. No idea how he kept it floating.