recommended outboard hp for flats boat

[whiskerdan]

I have an 18' fiberglass flats boat with an 84" beam, dry weight around 900 lbs. It currently has an old 115 hp yamaha 2 stroke that needs to be replaced. With that motor by myself I could go around 50 mph. The max recommended hp for the hull is 150 hp. I have been shopping seriously in my area (within a 5 hr drive) and can't find anything in my preferred range of 90-115 hp for a reasonable value. I guess my question is, can I get away with a newer 70 hp? I do not need to go very fast, I just want to be able to get on a plane with relative ease. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks-
Dan
Panama City , Fl

 

[kfa4303]

Re: recommended outboard hp for flats boat

Hi dan. Welcome to iboats. Small world, I live right down the road in Tallahassee. I would shoot for light and torquey more than big and fast too. You might want to look into a late model ETEC, which are very strong and light for the power they make. Yamaha 2-stroke Enduro models are great too and practically worth their weight in gold, so they don't last long. You'll have to double check the exact weight ranges for the various HPs, but I would think you could get a zippy little boat, that hops on plane, in pretty shallow by using something in the 70-90hp range. Using a 4-blade prop and/or a jackplate and smart tabs will help it hop on plane even faster. Check out a site called microskiff.com for ideas and inspirations too. It's mostly full of FL guys that are familiar with the kind of fishing we like to do. Cheers! Are you ready for the Spring Break hordes? They should be there any day now. Good luck :/

 

[boobie]

Re: recommended outboard hp for flats boat

I'd get something that is 80% of the boats rated horse power. The 115 hp was just right. Talk about hordes, you should live around Ft Myers Beach. But anyway keep those $$$$$ coming.:laugh:

 

[kfa4303]

Re: recommended outboard hp for flats boat

Very true. They do leave the $$$$ behind, which is nice. A lot easier to pick a tourist's pocket than bushel of oysters or oranges any day

 

[TD_Maker]

Re: recommended outboard hp for flats boat

Man, that 115 sounds like the perfect engine for your boat. However, there is a trade-off in weight for sure. If you can find a 3 Cyl 70-90 hp 2 stroke, it will probably perform with the heavier V-4's you are running now. I repowered my McKee Craft last year....went from a (3 cyl 70 Mercury) to a 4 cyl 90 Johnson. I love my motor, but it is much heavier and more thirsty than my old Mercury.

If I had it all to do over again, and money was no object, I would purchase a new 70 hp Etec. If you are on a budget, I would look for a 3cyl 70hp Johnson/Evinrude. They are great engines. I also was impressed with the 3cyl 90 Yamaha series as well.

 

[oyster gro]

Re: recommended outboard hp for flats boat

I have a 20' fiberglass skiff with a 60 Yamaha 2 stroke and it planes no problem. 43 kmph

 

[kfa4303]

Re: recommended outboard hp for flats boat

Those 3-cyl Yamis and ETECS are by far the most popular motors I see. Light, strong, reliable, and easily serviceable. Pretty hard to beat. I'm a sucker the the white ETECs myself and I'm an OMC guy at heart.