Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Bellboy · Jul 3, 2003

Hi all, newbie here---I love this site! Onto the subject at hand...recently acquired a 1960 19ft. Bell Boy Express Cruiser (sans engine). Just came upon a running Evinrude 115HP of the correct shaft length (20"). Might this be considered a reasonable amount of power for this boat..perhaps too much? Am not interested in making my toupee fly off, just want to get on plane in a reasonable time along with decent fuel consumption. The transom and hull appear to be even more solid than my skull, so I doubt that there's a problem there (the boat, not my head---that's quite another story altogether LOL). Here's a couple of links to pix to give you an idea of what I'm blathering about: http://www.fiberglassics.com/bellboy/bboy006.jpg http://www.ramva.org/ant/Boat/ (click on the Bellboy pix) Thanks in advance! -ANT (Anthony)

roscoe · Jul 3, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Looks like a nice wide, heavy, stable boat. 1300# + gear, engine, passengers, a new steering wheel

. I don't think I would want anything smaller than a 115.

Bellboy · Jul 3, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Hi Roscoe, thanks for the reply. As for the non existant steering wheel, I do in fact have a Destroyer style wheel....just need to get a newer cable system to replace the old funky rope drive (yegads!). Any suggestions on finding or forming a windshield for the flying bridge? -ANT

Spidybot · Jul 3, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Hi Ant, The motor shown on the (original?) brochure shows a not too big motor. The hull looks classic, not hi-performance and will probably never 'fly' anyway. A fair amount of power sounds reasonable and with consumption in mind I'd go for the biggest 4-cyl of a relatively new design. Mercs 115hp 4 cyl inline (2+2 system) should be available at a fair price (made from ~1990) and with a proper prop it'll suit your needs. Other good brands will do similarly - as will the never 4-strokes (depending on your budget).

Link · Jul 4, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

ANT: I had a pre 60's Bell Boy in 1985 and wish I still had it now. Bell Boys are collected out here on the west coast. Mine was a 16 ft with a 80HP Evinrude.. same style as yours... (too much power...But it wasn't set up right) but on a 19 footer.. a 115 HP would be great... they are heavy and not plaining hulls.. well yes they are a plaining hull.... but after they get up on step... the biggest problem I had was getting it to be stable ... IE: Neutreul steering at WOT ... wish I knew then what I know now!

Link

gss036 · Jul 4, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

I used to have an 18 ft. I have seen those converted and factory with outboard up to 150 hp. I would think you could easily go to 150 hp without any problems.

JasonJ · Jul 4, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

I had a 17ft 1963 Pacific Mariner that originally had a Homelite 55 on it. It performed okay, but I came across a Mercury 85 horse that also was a 1963. It weighed the same as the Homelite. The boat was plenty fast, but the problem with those 60s hulls is that they were almost flat at the last 1/3 of the hull, so you get the heck pounded out of you. You also CANNOT turn sharply at any kind of speed, or the rear will spin out on you. I know this from a pants-filling first turn at speed I tried in the Mariner. Straight line, it was great, but you have to have the setup just right, or you end up with a lack of control. I would say in your case, that 115 should be fine. Just because you have a ton of power doesn't mean you have to use it. I have a 125 on my 16.5 ft tri-hull, and it is almost scary fast, but I cruise at around 3000 rpms, that keeps me near 30 mph, and cuts down on fuel usage. Also, if you ever plan on pulling tubes or a skier/wakeboarder, you'll be glad to have every bit of horsepower you can get.

AFishin69 · Jul 6, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

I have a 18' Chirs Craft,will a 50 perform okay?

Solittle · Jul 6, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

AFishin69 - Best try a new post to get the most responses. Generally a thread is limited to the problem or question of the first poster. Having said that I don't think you will be happy with a 50 on an 18'er. Maybe a 100 - - -

SeaMasterZ@aol.com · Jul 6, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

I say that all the time Jason, that too big doesnt mean you have to nail the throttles ... of course, within reason, you cant hang a 250 yammie salt off of a 12 foot johnboat and expect to stay afloat even sitting still, lol, but in the case of that bell boy, kick her up on plane, and let that 115 loaf along at 3 grand, shell last a hell of a lot longer than some 50 grinding its guts out trying to maintain the same speed

Bellboy · Jul 6, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Thanks to all the responses! As some have suggested, "too large" an engine allows you to keep the throttle at less than WOT which translates directly into longer engine life and lower fuel consumption. This has been borne out in the aviation field time and again (and to a certain extent, the automotive arena as well). Just have to keep remindin meself....absolute power should not corrupt LOL Just looked at the hull and it is indeed somewhat flat (unlike the top of my pinhead). I really have no interest in going elevendy seven million knots an hour....just wanna putt around and occassionally pull someone on skis. Am really more interested in reliability-durability-and relatively low fuel usage. Here's "the" site about Bell Boys should anyone give a rodent's posterior: http://members.shaw.ca/timinvan/ On the first page is a photo of an nearly identical '57 that I missed out on buying on eBay (local to me as well!). It was sea worthy and sold for all of $47!!!!!!! ARGH! (said in my best Charlie Brown missing the football voice). -ANT PS Dang! Here's the exact but shorter version of my boat http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26430&item=2422282305

Spidybot · Jul 6, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Agree with the comfort of much power, even when not using it. I did suggest the Merc 115 as it is modest on fuel (4-cyl 2+2) which you also asked for. Many knows that a second motor in the range 5-15 hp as safety and spare + trolling (pref. 4-stroke) improves mpg greatly. Even though it is another solution a more ways, i may be considered as well

Link · Jul 6, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

ANT: Your post: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=26430&item=2422282305 Is the exact same BellBoy I had and as I said I wish I still had her.. a 16 footer... actually 15 ft 9 inches from bow to stern in a straight line. A bit of trivia: Q:Where did the top wrap around wind shield come from? A: From extra windshieds made of glass for Studabakers that were cut in half! I found that out when I needed to replace one of the lower plexigalss pieces.. back in the early 60's the guy who owend lakewood city glass needed to replace one and called the factory.. he wound up getting one out of a 58 Stud from the junk yard and cut in half..

Link

Bellboy · Jul 7, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Hi Link, oh no you didn't go and mention Studebaker!!!! I have more Studebakers than I have brain cells (which on the face of it makes perfect sense!). Always heard that some 50's boat windshields were actually Stude rear windows (which wrapped around too). If that's the case with the upper bridge windshield on my beast then I'm in clover. I always assumed that it was just Plexi and that I'd have to have one formed. Regardless, I'm gonna need a frame for it--any suggestions? Thanks -ANT P.S. Did you know that Raymond Loewy who's design studio styled many Studes also did the work on the mid to later 50's Dorsetts? The other Stude/Boating connection were that another industrial designer (who had done lots of work for Stude) named Brooks Stevens worked on Evinrude engine cowlings, and that Stude eventually bought McCollugh(sp?) who built the Paxton superchargers and Royal Scott outboards (were'nt these Atwater Kents, and was that the same outfit who made radios too?).

Link · Jul 7, 2003

Re: Too much power? Old Bell Boy

Hey ANT: Sounds like you know ur Studebakers, anyway on the frame for the windshield take a look in the project boat section then a search. I'm not to the point of making a windshiels yet but it was a concern until I started reading there! Luck on the project Link

Too much power? Old Bell Boy

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