How much HP for a 16' fiberglass?

J

Johnshan

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 17, 2001
Messages
37
Hey everyone, we just got a 16' Starcraft fiberglass boat, its an older model (70') and its rated for a 40 hp. Question- would a 25 hp be sufficent for this boat? I want something with some decent speed but I mainly fish and cruise around so I dont need an all out speed boat.<br /><br />The boat is an open deck design, with a center console, and a "tri-hull" design.<br /><br />Thanks for any input.<br />-John
 
D

Dunk

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 11, 2001
Messages
127
Re: How much HP for a 16' fiberglass?

I think you'll find yourself running 25hp wide open all the time. 16ft is a big boat for 25hp especially with a couple/few people in it. I think you'd be much happier with 35-40 hp on it. All manufactures make a great 35-40 engine. Anyone you find that hasn't been outwardly and obviously abused should be good running used engine.
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: How much HP for a 16' fiberglass?

I respectfully disagree with DUNK. Your difference in top speed between a 40 and a 25 will be about 5 knots (22-23 vs 27-30). Hole shots will be slower and fuel usage about 70%. Add up what the boat will weigh when fully loaded and fueled (don't forget to include the motor. A 25 will weigh around 150 lb, a 40 about 35 lb. more). You will need a minimum of 2.5 hp per 100 lb. for decent performance, anything over 5 hp. per 100lb. would be excess and wasted. My 14' Boston Whaler, rated for 40, performed very well with a 25 and ran 23-25 knots, depending on which prop I used. Most boats that aren't hooked on hole shots and maximum top speed perform very well with 70% of rated horsepower. Good boating.
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T

thecotters01

Recruit
Joined
Apr 15, 2001
Messages
4
Re: How much HP for a 16' fiberglass?

I have a 16' flightcraft and I'm running a 70hp Jonno........But then it is rated to a 115.
 
M

Michael Weaver

Cadet
Joined
Jan 30, 2001
Messages
6
Re: How much HP for a 16' fiberglass?

I would have said 70hp if your transum isn't soft, but you stated you are rated at 40hp.<br />25 would be fine unless you are loading up the boat. Tiller or helm steering? You will save money if you understand the cost and trouble of converting a new or used moter. <br />A 15 will plane out a 22ft boat. Its more about the hull and weight.
 
J

Johnshan

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 17, 2001
Messages
37
Re: How much HP for a 16' fiberglass?

I bought a 30 hp mariner for the boat. Its actually a 14' tri-hull boat. Im assumign that since this motor is rated for power at the prop- not the crank it will perform very similer to the 40 hp max rating (back in the days when the ratings were crank- not prop)<br />-John
 
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