Have enough HP for hole-shot ?

[Prophammer]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Big engines LOAF. That always means great fuel economy and long life. Plus they are super quiet.

 

[dingbat]

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