Required HP for Boat

[JSL]

I'm looking to upgrade my boat, but have question about the needed Hp! I'm thinking about a Lund 1800 Fishermen or a 190 Trophy by Alumacraft both with a 150 Yamaha 4-stroke. Presently I have a 1700 Fishermen w. 115 Yamaha 4-stroke and it just doesn't have the power needed when it's loaded (fine with 4-people)! What can I expect for increased power with this new setup with say 6-people and gear (speed isn't critical)? Also if anyone has any input on the ALumacraft compared to the Lund I would much appreciate also!<br /><br />Thanks, John

 

[Bondo]

Re: Required HP for Boat

For Horsepower, The Best Rule I can think of is,<br />Buy the Most you can Afford, or is Available....<br />Because,<br />If you Have it,+ care Not to use it... Oh Well...<br />If you Don't Have it,+ Need it, You're SOL..!!!<br />I've owned Several Boats.....<br />None of them were Over Powered....<br />Many were Under Powered......

 

[JSL]

Re: Required HP for Boat

Easy Answer!<br /><br /> This seems like a pat answer, the jump to the Max. rated hp (from 150 to 200) is $3500! Like I said earlier I don't won't something that we'll do 60mph I want a motor that will give resonable performance better then my present setup, maintain some economy, and not break the bank! Does anyone have an idea on performance or where I can get such information!<br /><br />John

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Required HP for Boat

You might want a boat that will do 60. <br /><br />What if someone on board got sick or hurt and you needed to get back quickly? A few minutes could mean the difference between life or death. Been there, seen that.<br /><br />Think about what Bondo says -- if ya got it, ya dont have to use it but if ya really need it, its there. You can cruise at 40 - 80% throttle but you can never run at 110%.<br /><br />An underpowered boat is a dangerous thing.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Required HP for Boat

This is an interesting post, What is considered under powered?? When I purchased my first boat I had the choice of more engine than boat or more boat than engine. I opted for the later more boat than motor. Now the boat is rated for 175 hp and I have 125 on it. It will do 48 and this is more than fast enough for me. I quess I would like to know what/how to catagorize under powered.<br /><br />SingleShot

 

[JSL]

Re: Required HP for Boat

My point exaclty SingleShot<br /><br />My Present setup 1700 Fishermen w. 115 Yamaha does 42mph GPS with 2-people. The performance specs on the 150 Yamaha does 47mph on a 1800 fishermen the wt. & size being close to the 190 Trophy which I'm considering purchasing! Although the 5mph is nice, what I really want to know is if I'll get better performance and power with 6-people with the new setup compared to my present setup, or can I expect close to the same performance as I have today? As I tried to state before "money is an no object" is NOT my intent here!<br /><br />John

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: Required HP for Boat

A jump of $3500 may seem like a lot, but I have a Baker Tunnel Hull with a 200HP motor. It will do 60MPH with two peopel in the boat, and it pulls just fine with 4 to over 50MPH. WIth a 5 blade ski prop it would jump out of the hole even if overloaded, but would probably top out at 50MPH. <br /><br />On the other hand when I find myself racing to get ahead of one of my competitors in a bass tournament I find myself wishing for a few more ponies. <br /><br />I would really say that if you can afford it get the bigger motor. <br /><br />On the other hand a 150 on the size boats you are looking at should do fine. I also have a 18' Skeeter with a 150 and it runs upto 58 MPH just fine, and hauls 4 people at well over 40 without lugging or winding out.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: Required HP for Boat

P.S. You can always change props when changing loads. I have a different prop for tubing at low speeds than for fishing tournaments. <br /><br />I use a 5 blade 14 X 23 for tubing / skiing and a 14 1/4 by 23 three blade for best speed on my 20' Baker Tunnel<br /><br />On my Skeeter I get my best speed with a 14 1/4 X 23, but it lugs the motor so I switched it to a 14 1/4 by 21 that the motor pushes just fine. I sacrificed a couple MPH topend and run at slighter higher RPM at lower speeds, but the boat just leaps through the water. <br /><br />$350 for an extra stainless steel prop is a lot cheaper than $3500 for a bigger motor, and if you spin the hub or wreck the prop on a rock you can always switch to your spare to get home. <br /><br />Lots of guys don't like the Michigan Wheel Rapture XHS props, but i have had very good luck with them and I really like the replaceable rubber hub on them. $30 for a replacemnt hub that I can keep in my boat is sure cheaper than $100 plus and time out of the water to have one redone in a prop shop.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Required HP for Boat

My Only Point to My post is,<br />Read down through the posts hear at iboats......<br />There are 100s with guys saying they have a 3.0l 4 banger,+ They Want More Power...<br />Guys with 5.7ls,+ They Want More Power....<br />Guys with 7.4ls,+ They Want More Power......<br /><br />I Haven't come accross a Single Post that the guy Wanted Less Power.......<br /><br />Boats are like Everything Else in Life.....<br /> YOU have to decide What's Right for YOU ......

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Required HP for Boat

Don't get me wrong, I'd like 500 ponies in my F250 but my 8cyl pulls just fine. I'm trying to find out how is under powered defined. I hear this term thrown around and would like to know what the definition is when applied to a boat. Or is it a personal opinion???<br /><br />SingleShot

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Required HP for Boat

My 2 cents....I've had MANY boats with different engine combos, and I've yet to have one that was over-powered.<br />I do strongly believe in this particular formula though......Use a minumum of 80% of the max recommended HP....If the boat is rated for 200, then 160 would be 80% which I would round up to 175, not down to 150.<br />You WILL be much happier with this rule of thumb than going with too low of HP, and the life of the engine will be much greater if it doesn't have to lug so hard with a load......yes, you can re-prop for better hole-shot, but ya still can't get 110% out of it....

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Required HP for Boat

jsl- pick up a copy of this month's "boating magazine". they do a great article on powering new boats. they actually trash the old concept of always buying bigger. they prove with verified test results that bigger doesn't always mean better when it comes to new 4-stroke or efi engines. now, they tested a larger boat with a 280, 320, and 375hp engines. turned out the difference in performance btw the 280 and 320 was barely noticeable. not all the comparisons can be taken for your case, but the article is worth reading. let me know what you think.

 

[JSL]

Re: Required HP for Boat

Thanks for all the input! Great information! I now need to digest it!<br /><br />John

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Required HP for Boat

Matttttt25, when you're up at that hp range, sure you can say there isn't much difference. However, down in the 100 to 200 hp range, 40 to 50 hp is a lot! I'd go with the 175 as well.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Required HP for Boat

Great Point, Dhadley and Bondo.Not to mention those fast moving storms that take you by suprise!! MAX. rated power for the boat is always a good idea, if you can swing it.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Required HP for Boat

i won't try and argue with the old salts, but still suggest you read the article i mention. ALWAYS choosing the largest engine your boat is rated for is not a hard fact.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Required HP for Boat

I can't argue that fact, I'd put a rocket on if I could. I'm just curious what defines underpowered?? Under powered truck means it wont do the task at hand, say pulling a trailer without damaging itself (tranny or engine, ect). What's the criteria for a boat, not getting on plane?, wont pull tubes?, can't fight a head wind? Propped right engine should be at WOT rpms. If the boat will not get on plane I could see this as a criteria. I know a few that would rather have a well rigged boat that does the task they require then a poorly rigged boat that will break water speed records. I see this term thrown around all the time. Just looking for some insight.<br /><br />SingleShot

 

[Bondo]

Re: Required HP for Boat

SingleShot,<br />You Just Answered Your Own Question...!!!!<br />

Under powered truck means it wont do the task at hand,

A Boat is the Same.....<br />Just insert whatever task you want to the end of your statement.....<br /><br />And, the rest of your posts Says,<br />

YOU have to decide What's Right for YOU ......

I Believe it's a term that Can't be set in Stone.... Too Many Variables...

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Required HP for Boat

Exactly, it's what you want to do with the boat

 

[Franki]

Re: Required HP for Boat

This is just my speculation.. <br /><br />but here is one criteria I'd use.... longevity...<br /><br />If an engine has to work hard to do normal every day work.. then it aint gonna last as long..<br /><br />If its got enough power to get you on plane and crusing at your choosen speed, with your chosen load, and its in a good ecomimical rpm range at that point, then I suspect its not underpowered.<br /><br />It should also have a good bit left over for those times when you need to get away from something quickly. (like the shore, the wife, a storm etc.)<br /><br />I rececently discovered that my kicker motor was underpowered for my boat, and I found out at the worst time, when I needed it... and I lost my canopy and favorite rod as a result.<br /><br />I'm going to get the biggest kicker I can find that doesn't add significanly to the weight...<br />because when you need it, and you don't have it, you always regret it...<br />So I am upgrading from a 6hp to a 15HP.. which as I understand it is the biggest of the "small" outboards.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Franki