Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

[ChrisClark]

I bought a 1978 16' V-hull Lund with Trailer and with a Mercury 650 (Ser 2119780, about '68 or so.) All for $250. About $1000 later and after a ton of blood and sweat I have been able to make the boat and trailer safe and ready (tires, leafsprings, bearings, lights, deck, paint, carpeting, registration/licensing, and safety equipment.) I don't have much money to spend so I am looking for the least expensive option for powering it. All I want is to use this as a low speed fishing boat for my family in Illinois waters (Cleaned everything out, rebuilt the deck, and the high sides are great with the small kids!) We have taken it out on very small lakes with a trolling motor quite a few times (35lb thrust I usually use on my canoe), but can't fight the Chicago area winds with it(I also built a canvas roof that is great for the sun but catches the wind a little I am sure.) The motor that came with the boat is very old and I am not interested in spending a fortune to re-build it, and then still not feel it will then be dependable to a non-mechanically inclined boater (me.) All I want is a boat motor that will push the boat at 10 mph or so with 2 adults and 5 kids. I don't need to plane but obviously want to avoid cavitation. I see some for under $1000 9.9HP 2001 re-furbished ones around. As long as I use the right shaft length (20" I think), would a motor like this be enough? I don't need it to be steered from the helm, though all the original pulleys and cables are still functioning smoothly. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I want to get rid of the Merc650. It has gas can, throttle and gear-shift control box w/cables, power cables, and is physically huge (probably prohibits shipping to someone.) I did order the original Mercury Dealer Service Manual and also the original Operator's Manual (I thought I could work on it myself but just not confident enough on a good result.) Under the cover the motor looks in great shape. The lower unit is missing the rubber plugs so I don't know if there is corrosion inside. Putting the gearbox in neutral and removing the Spark Plugs, I can manually move the flywheel and can turn the prop freely. The prop also reacts to F/R appropriately. Anyway, a quick question turned to a huge posting, sorry. I have always dreamed of having a fishing boat and I am almost there.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

Fisn4fun, Welcome to iboats.<br />I think you'll be sorely dissapointed in the 9.9HP. It won't be able to move the boat against wind and current,and don't worry, it will never plane on that hull. I would go with a 20HP minimum. This will give you about 10MPH with a family of three,but still won't plane.<br />Those old mercs are great engines. It probably wouldn't be cost effective to HAVE it repaired by a boat mechanic. If you are worried about your ability to restore this engine, I would list it on ebay, with the provision that it be picked-up, as-is.<br />You may be pleasantly suprised what it will sell for there. (I wish I lived "in range" of you, or I might be interested myself for a project boat I am lookin at.<br />But,give it a try, and repower with >2oHP. If it were mine, I'd go back with 50-60HP.

 

[ChrisClark]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

Thanks 12Footer. Your comments almost inspire me to try working on it myself. Ebay is a far more practical suggestion though. I totally see where 20 HP would be important. There are some lakes around here that have a 10HP max... that is probably to limit size of boats as well as speed/noise. I wish I was in Florida going after Reds or Bass at this time of year. Any thoughts on a good starting bid for Ebay? Thanx.

 

[G DANE]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

Hi Fishn4fun<br /><br />I am sorry i live that far from you, or i would be interested too. If i was you ( which i ai'nt, and never will be! ) i would try to advertise your good old merc, wanting to swap it to a good functioning 25 or 30 HP Evinrude/Johnson from 80ties. There are a lot of boaters out there who wants the opportunity of going faster.<br /><br />Good luck

 

[alcan]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

I hate stories like this, $250. for a 16ft lund. It worth more than that for scrap. <br />Even at $1250. your doing real good. If I was your neibor I'd trade you out of that merc for a 25-35hp in a heart beat. Use your manual, at least do some tests on your merc, try to determine whats wrong with it,about how much it would cost repair. So you can make a FAIR trade.

 

[Rex]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

HELLO <br />I LIVE IN IN.<br />I GOT SOME MERC'S.<br />WHAT WILL YOU TAKE FOR YOUR ENGINE?<br />I GOT A 45HP THAT RUNS.<br />A 35.?<br />A 80 THAT'S NEEDS A LOWER UNIT.<br />A 65 BUT THE POWERHEAD BAD.<br />THE 45 IS ON A BOAT FOR SALE ON IBOATS.<br />I THINK I CAN TAKE YOUR 65 AND THE ONE I GOT<br />TO MAKE A GOOD ONE.<br />BUT IF I WAS YOU I WOULD HAVE THE 65 CHECK<br />FIRST.<br />IF YOU WANT TO SALE IT LET ME KNOW.<br />I GOT TO CHECK ON A COUPLE OF THINGS.<br />REX

 

[DJ]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

Fishn4fun,<br /><br />Give that old Merc a try. It won't hurt.<br /><br />Replace the lower unit lube. Replace any bad hoses under the hood. This will at least allow you to see if it will turn over and has spark. If it starts, GREAT! Minimum, you'll need to replace the water pump impeller, about $50.00.<br /><br />If you decide to sell it-it's worth a whole lot more running.<br /><br />About a 20-35 hp. would do you OK. Should be able to find a good runner for $1,000.00.<br />Stick with something mid seventies or newer.

 

[Rex]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

DID YOU GET YOUR 65 RUNNING?<br />IF NOT LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SALE<br />OR TRADE BECAUSE THAT ENGINE FITS ON MY.<br />PLEASE JUST LET ME KNOW.<br />THANK YOU <br />REX A. HUBBLE<br />E-MAIL REXA1925@IWON.COM

 

[Rex]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

HAVEN'T HEARD FROM YOU YET IF YOU<br />WANT TO SELL IT I'LL DRIVE OVER<br />AND PICK IT UP.<br />IF THE MOTOR IS THAT BAD MAYBE<br />I CAN USE THE PARTS OFF OF IT FOR MINE.<br /><br />REX HUBBLE

 

[ChrisClark]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

I had a mechanic look at the Merc 650-4. Found out that the lower unit is bad. There is a long weld on it that must not have held because there is water in there. The wiring in the powerhead is also in need of replacing. He said the compression was uneven in the cylinders too. It is more work than I want to undertake. It was $65 just to have it looked at. If there is still someone who wants to trade for a 25hp or higher with a 20" shaft that runs I would consider that a great deal for me. The 650 has gas tank, remote control unit, power harness, operator's manual, and service manual. It is a 1967 with ser #2119780. I have pics if someone wants them emailed. Otherwise I will post on ebay.

 

[Rex]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

THE 30 HAS NOT RUNIN ABOUT 10 YRS.<br />THE 45 RUNS BUT IT ON THE BOAT THAT FOR<br />SALE HOW CAN WE WORK OUT A DEAL.<br />I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE ENGINE.<br />THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME YOU FOULD OUT<br />WHAT WROUNG WITH IT.<br />PLEASE E-MAIL BACK ON IWON.COM<br />THANK YOU<br />REX A HUBBLE<br /><br />WE COULD WORK OUT A DEAL ON THE BOAT AND <br />YOUR ENGINE.

 

[Liam]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

Best make sure your 16' is rated for 7 people on board (2 adults and 5 kids)! This might get you into trouble.<br /><br />Liam

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

You may be looking @ two motors: one under 10 hp for the lakes that require them and another bigger one for the rest. But Liam gives good advise. Your boat has a weight limit, and with all those people, you might need to stay at no more than 20 hp.

 

[Rex]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND DO YOU NEED PICTURE?

 

[Ross J]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

Hi, Ho Fishn4fun,<br />Welcome to the best board on the web!<br />I have to back up what Liam said about the number of folk aboard. I run a 16'6" boat and wouldn't feel safe with more than 4 people max. Lifejackets and all the safety equipment as well. <br />Sorry to be a wet blanket sport. Good luck with the rebuild. You'll enjoy it and the learning curve will pay off also. <br />Ross.

 

[jcce]

Re: Minimum HP for 16' V-hull family fishing

I would like to know where you obtained the operator and user manuals for the merc 650.<br /><br />I have a 1969 that runs but has a few snags. The starter won't spin the engine well after it yhas warmed up.<br /><br />The engine will stall after it has been running slow for a few minutes.