How Much HP?

[Lynn]

I have a 16 foot Klamath center console with a 35 hp Johnson 2 stroke.
Boat is rated to 65 HP
Lots of 50 HP motors for sale at good prices.
Very few motors listed in 60-65 HP but I see them occasionally.
Would you go 50 HP or wait until a 65 HP shows up?
Also would you exceed the 65 HP rating and go 70 or 75 HP?

 

[Bailey Boat]

You can always "throttle back" but you can never go beyond full throttle... If ya know what I mean Vern.....

 

[flatheadsteve]

You can always "throttle back" but you can never go beyond full throttle... If ya know what I mean Vern.....

If going with a newer four stroke I probably wouldn't go over 50hp just because of the weight otherwise I'm a firm believer in going with the max hp rated on the hull.

 

[Lynn]

I can get a really nice looking and running 70 HP Evinrude 2 stroke for a $1000 is why I am asking.

 

[airshot]

Depends on what your gonna do with the boat...Never go over the rated HP...if there is ever any type of accident, you will be at fault for exceeding the recommended hp, no matter what...not worth a lawsuit and your insurance may not cover you. With that said.....I have a 16' Sylvan with a 40 hp Merc. It does 31 mph with just me which is mostly the case. My boat is rated for 80 hp, why would I need that much to ? I run on the great lakes, extremely rare is there a time when I can run 30 mph, usually 15-24 depending on chop. That and my boat balances very well with the 200lb 40 hp motor, why would I want three hundred lbs hanging on the back ? Gotta look at your situation and what tour gonna do with your boat. Heavy loads, extra gear and people, ?????? Why have extra power if you never use it ? The difference between a 50 hp and a 65 hp will be less than 2 mph, unless you need to push more weight.

 

[flatheadsteve]

I can get a really nice looking and running 70 HP Evinrude 2 stroke for a $1000 is why I am asking.

Going over by 5hp on a boat that size wouldn't concern me at all from a safety standpoint. Will it concern the game warden in your state? Or your insurance company should something happen?

 

[Lynn]

The boat in question runs fine on lakes and the ocean on calm days.
I crab and fish in a large bay that empties into the ocean and when going against the current loaded it struggles more than I would like.
I had the same issue with an older tri-hull and an onboard.
I see other boats with more power blow right past me

 

[oilsmoke]

We don't see that brand here very often but the two I've dealt with were built like army tanks,
A buddy bought one and the bare hull was close to 600lbs, he got it with a blown up Suzuki 85hp two stroke. He ran a 1985 Johnson 70 hp on it with a 6hp for a trolling motor. He had bought it off CL out west and chased after it. I drove the boat after doing some tuning on it when he first got it and thought it needed more motor. He moved to the Jersey shore and said he was planning to hang a 115hp V4 on it but the last time I talked to him he said he bent the hull on some big waves but that thing lasted longer than any other boat he ever owned. After 6 years it looked like it fell down the side of a mountain though (The guys at work referred to him as 'Bubba the gorilla' comparing him to that gorilla in the old luggage commercials.)

If it were me, considering the weight of those boats I'd want the most hp the boat can take or the highest HP motor I could find for that model years ratings.