Hi Folks,
New owner of a 1975 16' Starcraft Holiday OB boat. This is my second Starcraft aluminum boat, first one was a 1968 14' Jupiter or Holiday, never found the ID plate on it. Started with a 28Hp on the 14' but wasn't enough power so went up to a 33HP Evinrude - nice combination, good speed, good on gas! Scrapped the boat because it was in really rough shape (bent hull, dropped off a trailer at speed at one point) and it leaked under power. Bought the 16' boat nearly stripped down except for floors and windshield. Decided to go up in power and scored a 1972 40HP Johnson for $250. I put it into the water for the first time and no plane, motor leg too short. $125 later and 3 hours of work and it is back together with leg extension. Now the boat planes. Daughter and I go fishing and run through 6 gallons of gas in 1/2 hour of WOT!!! This is not good. I am now thinking the motor is too small for the boat and is working too hard to make it work. I tried adjusting the pitch of the motor and little difference. The motor runs great, idles well, and has great compression, so I know it is not the issue. Any advice on this issue welcomed.
New owner of a 1975 16' Starcraft Holiday OB boat. This is my second Starcraft aluminum boat, first one was a 1968 14' Jupiter or Holiday, never found the ID plate on it. Started with a 28Hp on the 14' but wasn't enough power so went up to a 33HP Evinrude - nice combination, good speed, good on gas! Scrapped the boat because it was in really rough shape (bent hull, dropped off a trailer at speed at one point) and it leaked under power. Bought the 16' boat nearly stripped down except for floors and windshield. Decided to go up in power and scored a 1972 40HP Johnson for $250. I put it into the water for the first time and no plane, motor leg too short. $125 later and 3 hours of work and it is back together with leg extension. Now the boat planes. Daughter and I go fishing and run through 6 gallons of gas in 1/2 hour of WOT!!! This is not good. I am now thinking the motor is too small for the boat and is working too hard to make it work. I tried adjusting the pitch of the motor and little difference. The motor runs great, idles well, and has great compression, so I know it is not the issue. Any advice on this issue welcomed.
