do I need more power?

[what66]

Hi I need some advice.<br />Ihave a 15ft fiberglass invader boat and I think it's probbly under powerd right now I have a 25 hp evinrude on it and I get 20mph on gps with one person.<br />the boat is rated for 60hp I have a 35hp I want to put on do you think this is enought power?<br />the boat came with a 55hp that I would like to use but it needs lots of work.<br /><br />hers a pic of my boat<br /> http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?p=999&gid=5833412&uid=2461186&members=1 <br /><br />I don't need to go very fast but would like to go a decent speed and I don't want to over load the motor.<br />any ideas?

 

[JamNJ1955]

Re: do I need more power?

I would go with the 55 HP, I have never heard anone say My boat has too much HP...<br /><br />Enjoy<br /><br />John

 

[mattttt25]

Re: do I need more power?

all things being equal, if you get 20 mph with the 25hp, i'd guess you'd be at 23-24 mph with the 35hp.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: do I need more power?

OR....depending on the engine (35) you have, it may gain nothing.<br />I think you are wasting time messing with a 35 on a boat rated for 60, but as to your question, "do I need more power???" More power to do what???? You need to install an engine that will allow the boat to do what you want it to do.

 

[pirate2501]

Re: do I need more power?

I have an 85hp Merc on a 16' Checkmate and it does 51mph GPS the boat is hi rated on the spec plate for a 120hp, I would never try it.<br /> If your skiing go with the 55hp. If your just riding around or fishin' put your 35hp on it and save some money.<br /> Garry

 

[Dhadley]

Re: do I need more power?

Lets see..."do I need more power?" and "The boat is rated for 60 hp" and "I have a 25 and a 35"...<br /><br />Do the math....

 

[Belchy]

Re: do I need more power?

I would recommend a 55hp.<br /><br />Belchy

 

[iron21]

Re: do I need more power?

It all depends on how many people will be in the boat. Two or more people; you will need the 55 hp to get above 20mph. I would guess it would do around 25-30mph with the 55. Its always nice to have the extra power.

 

[one more cast]

Re: do I need more power?

I used to have 14' fiberglass and I went from a 1965 35 hp evinrude to a 1967 40 hp Johnson and it made a very noticable differance. Try the 35, what do you have to lose?

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: do I need more power?

just a point-you don't have to run at WOT all the time. A 55hp is gonna be a lot less stressed at 20mph than a 25 is gonna be and should last longer because of it-and you'll have more power available when you want it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: do I need more power?

I once had a 14' Glastron JetFlite rated for 60hp.........<br />I mounted a Mercury 135hp Tower of Power.......<br /><br />That was the Only Boat, I've Ever Owned that had Enough Power................ <br /><br />I'd Think you'd want to be as Close to 60hp as you can Get..........

 

[b rude]

Re: do I need more power?

I have a starcraft 16.5 ft. rated for a 90 hp. Have a 60 hp 1980on it now.I get 34 mph.I want to upgrade to a 75 or 90 hp.I,m worred about weight and how much more speed will I get.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: do I need more power?

I want to upgrade to a 75 or 90 hp.I,m worred about weight and how much more speed will I get.

There are so many variables involved in how you would set it up, there's no good answer to that...<br />I could most likely find 3-4mph out of what you have at 90% less cost than a new outboard.

 

[beniam]

Re: do I need more power?

I agree with mattttt25 <br />25hp-23-24 mph <br />55hp-29 mph<br />less with more people<br />Be happy, enjoy life, boat lots. Batavier

 

[what66]

Re: do I need more power?

Well thanks for the help the only thing I really don't like abouht my 55hp is it's hydroeletric shift.<br />I thik I can get it to run but it wount shift <br />The main reason I would use the 35hp is it's electric start and I'm tired of pull starting that 25hp.<br />You have a good point if I can get the 55 to shift I will use that.<br />most of the time when I go out there is only 2 in the boat.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: do I need more power?

"do I need more power" - not if you are happy with it as it is. If you just want to putt around and fish with it, it is fine. <br />If you have the 35 why not try it. It won't cost you anything to try. You won't be able to pull a skier with it but you will get more speed out of it. I believe the general rule of thumb is not to use less than 70% of rate HP to obtain acceptable performance. Your idea and my idea of acceptable are probably different so only you can decide.

 

[what66]

Re: do I need more power?

Well my 35hp is crap I just took off the head there is part of the pistion missing <br />and a cunk out of the other pistion <br />the pistions are very lose I guess it didn't cost much. <br />so all hope is on the 55hp thanks for the help

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: do I need more power?

The answer's YES - what was the question?

 

[what66]

Re: do I need more power?

Well good news a frend of mine found a '57 35hp evinrude he got it for $50.<br />well we got it running the boat does 22.8mph with the 35hp.<br />I know I only gaind 2.8mph but it sure feels faster.<br />I would just stick with this engine but It's my frends even thought I have more money in parts in it than he paid for it.<br />I still plan to fix my 55hp but for now the 35 is good thanks for your help.