Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

[brjohnson2]

Hey Everyone,

I recently acquired a 1988 Blue Fin SuperHawk which has a 50hp Force outboard on it. The Force runs great, but I have an 85hp Johnson sitting on a stand in my garage. I'm hoping to get rid of one to pay for a new trolling motor and other repairs needed. The decal which states the max hp is gone.

I'm wondering if putting an 85hp on this boat is too much power and weight? If not, do I need be concerned on putting that much hp on this boat?

I'm new to this boating ownership thing, so any advice would be great.

Thanks.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

I see it is listed at 50 hp on the NADA site.

If you are happy with the Force performance, then keep it and sell the 85.

 

[brjohnson2]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

Does that mean I can't put my 85 on the boat?

Can't is the wrong word, shouldn't might be more appropriate. The larger hp would be great for cruising across the larger lakes.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

Does that mean I can't put my 85 on the boat?

Can't is the wrong word, shouldn't might be more appropriate. The larger hp would be great for cruising across the larger lakes.

The most frequently asked question on these forums is "Can I overpower my boat with an engine that is clearly larger than the manufacturer's capacity plate specifies?" I bet there were a few of these questions this week alone....LOL.

Do a quick search and you'll see what the general concensus is....

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

You're talking about going over the rated capacity by 70%, that's a lot.

Sell the 85 and use the funds from that for your trolling motor.

 

[limitout]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

I don't think they still build that model but look here and find what your boat looks like and that will be about the same specs for your boat as well

Boat Models | Bluefin Boats

 

[roscoe]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

I don't think they still build that model but look here and find what your boat looks like and that will be about the same specs for your boat as well

Boat Models | Bluefin Boats

Wrong company there limitout.

The Blue Fin in question was a Minnesota based company, that made riveted aluminum boats in the 70's and 80's, before being bought out by Brunswick.


brjohnson, your boat is rated for 50hp, and 1000# of gear/people combined.


Can't speak to the laws in MN, but it is illegal in WI.

 

[brjohnson2]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

You're talking about going over the rated capacity by 70%, that's a lot.

Sell the 85 and use the funds from that for your trolling motor.

Excuse the ignorance, but is there an "acceptable" amount to over power a boat?

 

[brjohnson2]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

@roscoe, Thanks for sharing about the buy out. Explains why I wasn't able to find any information on the boat. Can you help clarify this additional question?

iBoats has a similar boat, from what I can tell, in their specs section which states a rating of 90hp: Boat: 1981 Blue Fin by Spectrum 16 Super Hawk
I know it's not the exact same, but I am wondering if there is that big of a change between the years?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

Excuse the ignorance, but is there an "acceptable" amount to over power a boat?

Another poster awhile ago compared it to being a little pregnant.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

Excuse the ignorance, but is there an "acceptable" amount to over power a boat?

I didn't mean to imply that there was any "acceptable" amount to go over the capacity plate rating, that's kinda like asking how much is it ok to exceed the speed limit. It's just that as much as you're talking about is A LOT. A 70% jump over the rating would be like me putting a 300 on my boat, and as much as I like to go fast the thought of doing that would scare the crap out of me.

Once again, your best bet is to sell your bigger engine and use the proceeds to add a trolling motor and make improvements to your boat.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Max Outboard Capacity for '88 Blue Fin SuperHawk

@roscoe, Thanks for sharing about the buy out. Explains why I wasn't able to find any information on the boat. Can you help clarify this additional question?

iBoats has a similar boat, from what I can tell, in their specs section which states a rating of 90hp: Boat: 1981 Blue Fin by Spectrum 16 Super Hawk
I know it's not the exact same, but I am wondering if there is that big of a change between the years?

You cannot just compare 16' boats, even if they bear the same "superhawk" name.

Your Superhawk is a fairly light duty riveted aluminum boat, rated for 50.
The heavier Blue Fin 16' boats, actually used a hull that was manufactured by Starcraft, and was rated for 85 hp through 1980, then was rated for 90 hp starting in 1981.

The "blue fin by spectrum" in your link, is one of the heavier Starcraft hulls. Same hull as a Starcraft 16SS.

After Brunswick bought them out, they changed the name to just Spectrum, and converted the hulls to an all welded design.