Re: 12 foot , how big can i have in hp
Your in New Zealand...So check your local laws first. Here in Florida, USA I used to run a Merc 20 hp on an old 12' Sears glass hull with no ill effects, Never got over 30 MPH, wit' two guys 'bout 27-8 MPH. No laws here in Florida other than a statute with a subjective call "..grossley overpowered or unsafe.."...Coast Guard formulas for HP are NOT the law in this country and ONLY a guide for the END USER ONLY, UNLESS local state legislature has incorporated the formula TO LAW...There are other formulas that the boating industry uses to calaculate HP also. The Manufactures have to put some limitations(Placard) for liability and legal reasons..About 25 HP is the upper limit I would consider for this boat unless its one of the extra wide and extra deep models thats a slug. There are actually some 12 footers on the market that can handle a 60 HP but they are very heavey, extra wide, extra deep with 20" transoms...Weight on the transom and condition of the transom(has it been beefed up?) has some bearing too. I would stay with a two cycle like the Merc 25 for weight reasons. A four cycle could put you in danger of swamping becuase of the extra weight if you have 15" transom...this hop up I would only suggest for experinced boaters. A 25 HP, if the boat is lite, would push you as high as 36 MPH if your under about 400 lbs gross weight with a higher pitch prop. With the stock prop, lucky if ya hit 31 MPH. I surmise with the weight of the boat motor, fuel, gear and two people, top speed should be about 25-8 MPH. Nothing particularly outstanding....
