Mercury or Evinrude 16ft

[JMT32]

I am buying an Alumacraft Competitor 165 Sport. It comes with a 50hp merc, but I have the option to upgrade to an Evinrude 50hp E-tec or 60hp Merc Bigfoot. The dealer has talked up the bigfoot pretty good, but a friend of mine keeps telling me the bigfoot is NOT meant for that kind of boat. But I have seen a few youtube vids showing how bigfoot has made its way into the 16-18ft aluminum boats. That being said I am a first time boat buyer, and don't want to get something not meant for the boat. Looking for some input from ya'll on what I should choose for the boat. I can choose a Merc 50hp, Merc 60hp Bigfoot, Evinrude 50hp e-tec, Yamaha too. And my main fishing will be in Detroit River, Lake Erie, inland Michigan lakes

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude 16ft

Welcome to iboats.

My choice is NONE of the Above. That boat is hull rated for 90 hp and you need to have at least 75% of the rated HP hanging on that transom or you will not be happy. You should be looking at a motor that is at least 70 hp which will be marginal and a 75+ would be much better.

I know what I am saying screws with your budget but if you go to the Alumacraft Competitor 165 Sport web page and look at the performance report. here is a similar report of a 75 on a similar boat http://www.evinrude.com/Content/Pdf/neutral/performanceReports/PE869.pdf and here is a 60HP etec on a similar boat http://www.evinrude.com/Content/Pdf/neutral/performanceReports/PE771.pdf

I don't like the Bigfoot except on a pontoon (Do your motor homework about consumer problems) and I am a fan of the etec.

 

[JMT32]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude 16ft

Yeah I am not sure if 75 or 90 will fit my budget. I'll have to sit down with my sales guy and see. I'd love a 90, but I'd like to upgrade my fish finder (this boat comes with just a basic) and I noticed this boat doesn't come with a radio, I'd like one too. I know it's sound minor but I'm pretty much at my max for what I can afford (reason why I went with 165 instead of 175)

 

[V153]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude 16ft

If it won't fit your budget then wait 'til it does. Or consider a clean used boat. These days 50hp on a 16 foot boat is woefully underpowered. Hell I run a 140 on a 15 footer? Granted our tastes might not be the same, but I think you'd be disappointed with ANY of the choices offered above.

 

[JMT32]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude 16ft

I have waited long enough to get my first boat, lol. My friend has an alumacraft classic 165 with a 50hp merc and the few times I've been out fishing with him and his brother, we averaged 27mph. For a river like the detroit river you really don't need much more, imo. I think, for my budget, I'm going to go with the yamaha 70hp 4 stroke. I guess I was just asking out if the 4 engines I have available to me, which of the 4 is the optimum.
Merc 50hp
E-tec 50hp
Yamaha 70hp
Merc 60hp Bigfoot

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Mercury or Evinrude 16ft

Go with the Yamaha if you have the maintenance support in your area for it. My rules are to have a motor with a place that cn service it and not be under-powered on the boat. As an example the Suzuki Dealer and Yamaha Dealer are an hour away...... we have a merc dealer 10 minutes away and I have a Johnson (I do my own work)