Motor size for my boat?

[Thomas coe]

I recently got a 16 foot bayliner that has a 115 mercury outboard my question is that the sticker on the boat says 6 persons max and 70hp motor can my boat handle this bigger motor?

 

[MTboatguy]

What kind of shape is the transom in, but I would say 45 hp over the manufactures rating is really stretching things! I would not be comfortable with it.

 

[60sboater]

IDK how it will handle with that much hp and extra weight aft but it might not be legal anyhow.

 

[Thomas coe]

Transom looks good. I found a 78 thunderbolt for 500 guy said it ran when he took it off the boat been sitting in a garage for 5 years. Those motors pretty solid?

 

[Thomas coe]

I would rather use the motor I have but it's over hp

 

[Starcraft5834]

Listed capacities are there for a reason. what you've got is pushing it way to much.. ie- over limit.. if you get to many bodies in your boat, ID think you would run the risk of swamping it with all that extra engine weight

 

[Thomas coe]

OK only ever have 3 Riders with me at times. Do you think the transom can take it ?the boat came with the motor on it I didn't put the motor on

 

[newhamburgboating]

Im my opinion, if you worried about it enough to ask on here you already have your answer. Legality aside, don't do it. Just don't.

Sell the 115, buy the 70HP, pocket the difference.

 

[Thomas coe]

I found a 1978 70hp thunderbolt are those pretty reliable motors. Guy said it ran when he took it off his boat 5 years ago and it has been sitting in a garage since then then boat has a cracked transom ?