new boater looking for engine size advice

[sealth]

Hello everyone, I'm a first time boater, and first time poster. Just bought a 16' 1970something trihull and am looking for an engine. The reason I bought the boat was to be able to go waterskiing and fishing on weekends in the great lakes and at the cottage. I've been looking at a couple of engines and am not too sure what would be the right size/make/model for the size boat that I have. A couple of the engines that I've been looking at are: 1967 Evinrude v4 75 hp, a 1965 Evinrude sports four 50hp, un unknown as of yet vintage chrysler 55hp, and a 1969 mercury 60hp.

I just don't know what kind of horsepower I need to be able to pull people in the water, and am not sure how much weight the boat can handle (the transom - sp? is in good shape as is the hull (fibreglass)). I have experience with small two stroke engines, but I'm told marine two strokes are a whole different beast. I've also had experience with larger fourstroke and diesel engines, and feel like with a manual and a little advise, parts, oil and a little ingenuity I can prolly fix up something that has not been blown or been hit too hard. Anyone have any recommendations as to what would be appropriate for this type of boat and the above mentioned applications?

thanks in advance!!!

 

[haskindm]

Re: new boater looking for engine size advice

Does the boat have a CG plate giving maximum horsepower? 4-stroke engines are heavier than two stroke engines so the extra weight should be considered. I grew up skiing behind my Dad's 15' tri-hull with a 35 horsepower motor. Remember, in those days a 100 horsepower engine was considered HUGE! The 50 horsepower would probably get the job done, but a 75 or 80 horsepower engine would probably be ideal. I bought a 16' tri-hull in 1984 equipped with an 80 HP outboard and kept it, until a couple of years ago. It was a great package and did everything from running a trot-line to pulling skiers. I used it for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and towed many disabled boats with it. Made a great combination; reasonably fast, good power for skiing, and very economical to operate.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: new boater looking for engine size advice

60-80HP is ideal. Of the engines you mentioned, the Merc is too old, the V4 50HP Evinrude is too heavy for it's power. The Chrysler is well a Chrysler.

The 75HP V4 is a bit heavy as well, but it has sufficient power to justify the weight. A 60-80HP inline motor would be newer, lighter and better.

Measure the transom on that boat. It is likely 15" and you will want a shortshaft motor. A 20" transom is for a longshaft motor.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new boater looking for engine size advice

Here's what you want: a 1978 or newer Johnson/Evinrude 3 cylinder. I think that would range in HP from like 60-75. They are some of the best horsepower-to-weight ratio engines you can buy. The overall design from 1978 was carried on darn near to present day and parts are plentiful. You can pretty safely go back to 1973 as well though I believe there may be SOME tougher to find parts buy you're still pretty good.

Chrysler/Force are getting tougher to find parts (shame because they were simple, reliable motors) and I believe some older Mercury's have some NLA (no longer available) parts.

 

[AtoZ]

Re: new boater looking for engine size advice

It would be helpfuf if we knew what manufacturer and model it is.