40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

[mickjetblue]

I have an 18' Fisher riveted jon boat, and it is rated for 40hp.
Since it is not a heavy boat, it runs fine with an 18hp motor on it.
I am using a tiller motor now, and wonder if 40hp is a bit too much
power for tiller use, although I think more power would be ideal with
the boat.

Someone told me that a 40hp tiller motor is too much power to
handle in the wind, and that there is a high chance of losing control
when in the wind. Has anyone been there with a 40hp tiller motor,
and what do you think about it? Thanks!

 

[DJ]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

I have an 18' Fisher riveted jon boat, and it is rated for 40hp.
Since it is not a heavy boat, it runs fine with an 18hp motor on it.
I am using a tiller motor now, and wonder if 40hp is a bit too much
power for tiller use, although I think more power would be ideal with
the boat.

Someone told me that a 40hp tiller motor is too much power to
handle in the wind, and that there is a high chance of losing control
when in the wind. Has anyone been there with a 40hp tiller motor,
and what do you think about it? Thanks!

Nope! I've run a 90 HP tiller. As long as the torque tab is adjusted correctly, they track straight and true.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

I believe I know somebody that has a 40HP tiller steer on an 18ft aluminum boat, I actually seen him in action with the boat, from the way it handled from my point of view it looked like it handled decent. Not being in the boat with him though I really can't tell ya how it handled during the ride.

I imagine that if it is rated for 40HP then you should be fine. If there is a wind advisory then you shouldn't be out on the lake during that time anyways. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

Like DJ said, no problem.

Whoever warned you about the wind probably meant to be careful with strong headwinds. Flat bottom boats (especially stern heavy ones) have a tendency to flare up if you have too much speed into a stiff headwind. If there's wind chop or swells then it's even worse and can be dangerous if you're not careful.

 

[Lakester]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

hello,

if i may quote from world of racing... no such thing as TOO much power!! just manage ur foot!

anyways... theres more than one or two small boats with lots of power on uTube. one is 11' and 40 hp or so... others too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BO6EbCTKwM

regards,

lakester

 

[mike176]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

Boats rated for it...... go for it. IMO the USCG rating is always far to on the safe side.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

it should not be a problem, except if you are alone, and there is no bow weight, may have trouble getting on plane. i'm in the process of getting an 18' open fiberglass boat ready, and looking for a 50-70 hp tiller. but, this boat is very bow heavy.

 

[mike176]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

I used to have a jon boat with a tiller and when it was just me in it i would load the bow with bricks and that was the only way it would plane with one person in it. The control problem your worryed about is just a matter of balencing the weight in the boat, its easy to add weight.

 

[Nandy]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

Whoever warned you about the wind probably meant to be careful with strong headwinds. Flat bottom boats (especially stern heavy ones) have a tendency to flare up if you have too much speed into a stiff headwind. If there's wind chop or swells then it's even worse and can be dangerous if you're not careful.

Been there, done that! Then had to fight the rancher that owned the field to the channel in order to get my jeep in to get the boat out. That is just another story...

 

[steelespike]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

I have a 77 18 ft Crestliner utility 275lbs dry,W a 50 Evinrude tiller and a 57 18 ft 330lbs dry with a Merc 500 tiller.Both handle well 77 is faster.These are modified rounded
hulls Which I'm sure lay down better in a wind than a Jon.But I think you would have to be pretty careless to get in trouble with kiting in the wind even with a jon.I've driven the 77 full bore about 40 in 20 to 25 mph head wind It did get a little light a few times and skipped from wave to wave.This was not on a big lake but the St.Lawrence in a slightly protected area just off the shipping channel.I did have to finally slow down I couldn't take the pounding.

 

[rndn]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

Used one plenty of times and as mentioned above just make sure the tab is adjusted so it tracks straight.

 

[F_R]

Re: 40hp outboard with tiller too much hp?

I had a 33hp on a 14' Aluminum semi-v and hated it. You had to either run at idle or wide open. (Or as somebody said, a load of bricks) Otherwise it stood on it's rear and pounded the snot out of a guy. Installed a center side console and it made all the difference in the world. Now I have a "real" boat that handles like a dream.