An "expert" friend of mine tells me I made a big mistake buying a Yamaha High Thrust 50 HP (F50 TLRX62YL414966)used (excellent condition) for my fiberglass 18' x 6'wide (1,000 pounds). Says this is a pontoon only outboard and that excessive RPM will cause serious damage to motor and even burn it in five minutes. In addition, it will never give me a planing speed. Another friend says the same thing!<br /><br />Your opinion please friendly "experts"<br /><br />Guy<br /><br />p.s. Is my model #No significant in any way? A code?<br />=====================
<br /><br />I disagree with your friend. Well, I mostly disagree with him.<br /><br />The High Thrust drive train was intended for heavy, low speed vessels like 'toons, barges and the like. But that doesn't make it a loser for running a boat like yours.<br /><br />The larger prop turning at lower speed "grips" the water better but also offers more drag at higher rpm.<br /><br />Your only real problem is selecting the correct pitch prop for driving your particular boat.<br /><br />Check out the advice on prop selection in the Engine FAQs section.<br /><br />Since this post has nothing to do with Electrics or electronics I will move it to Outboard Non-repair.<br /><br />Good luck.