Have enough HP for hole-shot ?

Prophammer

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 2, 2010
Messages
473
Ever need more HP to get out of someone's way ? My co-worker told me he had to do that , he had to do his best hole-shot to avoid collision. He was sitting there in his bass boat when another boat went out of control and headed straight at him, he had enough HP to move fast and get out of the way. I myself felt under powered trying to cross a busy channel , my boat wasn't quick enough, it was like try to play frogger. Any thoughts on safety vs dollars ? Paying for more power may be the safety way to go
 

briangcc

Commander
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
2,372
You can always feather the throttle when out on the water, however you cannot add HP/torque. I would always opt for the largest engine possible for the given hull.

There are obvious exceptions...such as HP limited lakes.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,098
Any thoughts on safety vs dollars ? Paying for more power may be the safety way to go
You are better to have power and not need it, than to need it and not have it

I would never own a boat that wasn't at least 75% off the maximum HP for the hull
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
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Jul 23, 2011
Messages
49,667
most of todays bass boats have 250hp+/- on back with top speeds in the high double-digits, low triple digits. the holeshot is near instantaneous.
 

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,101
How often does a person experience the "have to move fast to get out of danger" ? Never in my 60 plus years on the water. I try not to boat where idiots boat and tend to stay clear of excessive high speed boats. Can' understand why anyone needs to go 70 mph in a boat....keep new Luke owning a vehicle that goes 200 mph...where you gonna go that fast ? A family member has an fancy fact boat with twin 454's that does around 70 plus mph. 200 bucks in fuel for a fast day on the water ??? There boat sits on the trailer more than in the water !
 

cyclops222

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
1,358
Big engines LOAF. That always means great fuel economy and long life. Plus they are super quiet.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,098
How often does a person experience the "have to move fast to get out of danger" ?
Just about every drift when playing chicken with a bridge in a 4-6 kt. current....lol

Don't conflate fast and acceleration.
Big difference between "Fast" to avoid and "Fast" to get places quicker
Hughes5.jpg
 
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