which boat for a 500 pound 130 hp 4 stroke honda?

[Matlok]

Hello all,
We are starcraft fan, having a 16ft 1962 jupiter(50hp) and a 1982 16SS(90hp). Our issue is we are searching for a starcraft bowrider that accomadate a 130 hp Honda 4 stroke (500pounds) . The engine is amazing!
Our 16 ss is rated for 90 hp and in our research we have found 18 ft ss boats that are only rated for 85 hp. Some 18 ss boats are rated for 150 hp so there must be different models that are 18 ss boats. The ones rated for 150 hp are very deep etc and too big for our lake.
Does anyone know if a 18 ss rated for 85 hp back in 1982 would handle the current 130 hp ? The weight is an issue, but I think placing the fuel tank up front will help. We are looking for a boat to totally refit.
We are a family group with three cottages and lots of kids, adults and hence the desire for a "fleet" of starcraft boats.
Matlok

[elkhunter338]

Seems odd you have a motor and no boat. That is a big heavy engine for a 16', 18' would probably be ok if you put the fuel tank up front. If you are going to do a total rebuild you could beef up the transmon and I am sure be ok with the extra hp and weight.

[GLG fishing]

Does anyone know if a 18 ss rated for 85 hp back in 1982 would handle the current 130 hp ? The weight is an issue, but I think placing the fuel tank up front will help. We are looking for a boat to totally refit.
We are a family group with three cottages and lots of kids, adults and hence the desire for a "fleet" of starcraft boats.
Matlok

To overpower a boat is just plain asking for trouble. You say that an 18 ft boat is too big for your lake and you want to use a 130 hp motor on the same lake. What’s up with that? Perhaps common sense would dictate that you find a hull that is rated for the horsepower you intend to put on the boat or else you could sell the motor and get a boat and motor that fits your needs. Error on the side of caution when it comes to kids and family.
GLG

[N1265]

No way I would put it on the 16' , Most 80hp motors from that era go around 250 / 270lbs, You are looking at doubling the weight on the transom with that Honda.

I might consider doing it on the 18' if : 1) I already had the motor and it was paid for. 2) I could not trade it for one smaller. 3) I was going to re do the transom, floor and beef it up. 4) I could modify the engine to limit the speed of the boat. 5) the boat would only be used by 1-3 people. ( depending on size )

By time you add the extra weight of the motor and any ballast to make it handle right, you may be at the weight limit of the boat itself.


I really would look for a bigger rated boat, or a smaller motor...

[barbosam]

putting a 130 on a boat that is rated for 85 is not a good idea.

Putting a 130hp 4 stroke on a boat that is designed around a 85hp 2 stroke is extremely dangerous.

Typical outboard weights from lets say 1975, 20" shaft with tilt/trim are approximately...
85hp ~270lbs
150 ~370lbs

Even on a boat rated for 150hp your still approximately 130 lbs over what the boat was designed around. So yes maybe 130lbs could be offset by moving the fuel tank, but on the boat rated for 85 now your trying to compensate for 230lbs and way overpowered.

Also remember using the fuel tank to balance a boat is not really the best practice because the weight is ever changing. Moving 2 batteries forward can help move 80-100lbs of constant weight.

[ezmobee]

My 18' SS is rated for 150. That Honda would be sweet on it.

[Matlok]

So its pretty obvoius that we will not put a 500 pound 130 hp motor on a boat that is rated for a 300 pound 85 hp boat.

Am I correct im my understanding that there are several 18 ss boats rated for a variety of hp? How many different `18 ss models are there?

We currenlty have the 130 on old fiberglass boat ( 140 rated) that needs to be replaced. we love the starcraft aluminuym boats.

[CheapboatKev]

Starcraft pontoon! Lol
that motor would be great on a 21 foot center console

[N1265]

Not sure how many models there are, But the SS's were made for many years and I would suspect that there were some changes along the way.

For example, some Jupiters came with one knee brace, and others came with three. I would suspect the SS's were the same...

[ezmobee]

16' SS's are rated for 85/90. The LEAST I've seen an 18' rated for was 120 or 130.

[barbosam]

You might want to browse the starcraft brochure thread.

[Huron Angler]

There are a couple 22' Islander/Chieftain models set up for an outboard for sale here in Michigan that would be perfect. They were priced around $1500, pretty darn reasonable.

That 130hp would be great on one of the bigger models, it would be pretty heavy on an 18 footer I think. Not a bad problem to have though

[mphy98]

If you cannot find a boat for that rat of a motor, and just wish to see it gone... I would be happy to put it on my 19' superfisherman. Seriously though, a 18 footer on up is what you need.