What is the biggest motor my Starcraft will handle?

[neub747]

Hello, I have a 15 ft. 1972 Aluminum Starcraft with the open bow design. I'm not extactly sure of the model and I can't find a plate on it. It had what I assume was the original motor on it. A 50 hp Johnson. I've owned it for 3 years and the motor just went. The bottom cylinder is junk. My question is what is the largest hp motor that I can put on that boat? Thanks in advance.

 

[jbcurt00]

A length would be helpful

 

[neub747]

I'm sorry I thought I had the length in there. 15ft

 

[neub747]

Here it is.

 

[jbcurt00]

Likely 50hp rated

 

[Scott Danforth]

My guess 50hp. There should be a capacity tag

 

[jbcurt00]

Did fakebook yield a better response?

 

[brodmann]

A lot of boat manufacturers equip motors that are 75% of the boats capacity. If that's the case, I'd throw a 70HP on it and go! My 2000 19' Sailfish had a maximum HP rating of 150, but the motor that they put on it is a 115. That's how they explained it to me. I've noticed that our local "Freedom Boat Club" has several of these boats in their fleet now, and they all are equipped with 115 HP motors too. I'd go for the 70 HP if the transom is in good shape. Have fun out there!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Recommending overpowering is never good advice,

 

[Scott Danforth]

http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/images/9/90/Starcraftbb006.jpg

Look up your model by overall length and transom width and height. You may be overpowered with a 50 as many of the 15' are rated at 45hp

 

[MNhunter1]

My 1972 15ft Nova had a max-HP rating of 65hp

 

[racerone]

In 72 it was a light weight 2 stroke on the market.----In 72 it was a crank rated motor.-----It is totally different today.

 

[MNhunter1]

In 72 it was a light weight 2 stroke on the market.----In 72 it was a crank rated motor.-----It is totally different today.

Very true. I actually had a 35hp mid-80's prop rated Merc on that 15ft. Would push it along at 28-29mph unloaded. I believe the hull was only around 550lbs.

 

[roscoe]

You sure it's a '71? and 15' not 16'?
There are no 15 super sports (open bow) listed.
Super Sports were all 16, 18, and 20/21'.

Sure looks like a 16SS (super sport), which was rated at 85 hp in 1971.
The rating went up to 90 hp in the early 1980's.

Is there a HIN Hull id number on the outside top starboard side of the transom ??? Post it if there is.

 

[DLNorth]

Here is a rating plate from a '72 SS 16.
If you measure yours from the back of the transom to the front of the bow cap and get 16' 1/2 ", your plate would be the same. It should be next to your motor control.