110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

[bradrulz]

I'm restoring a 1964 14' Sears Traveler runabout and just lucked up on finding a good used 110 mercury outboard (6 cyl "tower of power" haha!). I was told it's a mid 1970's, but i'm gonna scratch around for serial numbers to check forsure this weekend. My little boat is solid as could be, but only rated for 50hp and ~2000 lbs weight. Outboard is longshaft and my transom is 20.5 inches, so that should be fine.<br /><br />Am i just absolutely crazy to think that i could reinforce my hull and make this work? I wouldn't think of dropping that powerful a motor on my transom and hitting the water, without first reinforcing it. I'm rather handy and somewhat engineering-minded, so I thought i would toss this out there to the masses and see if I could score any feedback, good, bad, or indifferent.<br /><br />Would an internal framework that replaced the floorboards, was steadied with wall supports that ran all the way back and connected to the transom possibly provide enough tension support to keep this motor from chewing up my transom? I'm tossing around ideas of fiberglassed 1/2" plywood connecting at the seams with rust-treated angle iron or some other hard metal bolting everything together. <br /><br />All this, and installing an aluminum internal fuel tank in the bow for better weight distribution?<br /><br />again, am i just crazy? i'm not too far along with restoring the hull to scrap it and find another one to match the find motor i got, either. But i can't say i'm not a good bit excited to try out my engineering masterpiece. Any advise at all, whether you've done something similar or not?<br /><br />thanks, i love this forum!<br /><br />-brad

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Brad, You realize you are exceeding the max HP rating by 100% plus. You may have a problem with insurance. Now on the other hand, I currently have a 150HP Tower of Power on my 16' speedboat. The entire boat+engine package weighs in at about 1000 pounds. The boat is overpowered a bit, but is built very strong and has a 3/8" plate of aluminum covering the entire external portion of the transom. I need to be careful when I drive the speedboat at high trim, since it is light enough to skip across the water, and it might flip, under the correct circumstances. I also do not let many people drive it without my supervision, since it will "get away from you" when it first gets on plane and "accelerates like crazy".<br /><br />Back to your issue. If the floor is in good shape, I would concentrate on the strength of the transom itself and its connection to the gunwales. If you reinforce these, you will likely "keep it together". I also recommend an aluminum plate like I have. I'm convinced it is the easiest way to reinforce the transom.

 

[nboater]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Brad, I wish you Good Luck! I know little about any of it, but as Chris said, you're exceeding the maximum horsepower rating by 100%+. Then you're adding an internal fuel tank to the bow of the boat. Under power you will be sitting between a rocket in the stern and a potential blowtorch in the bow. Engineering wise it may work, but insurance and potential safety issues, IMHO point to finding a better match for the motor.

 

[JB]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

VERY bad idea, Brad.<br /><br />First of all, your boat was rated when outboards were rated at the powerhead, not the propshaft. That in itself says that it is unsafe to put over about 45hp modern rated engine on it.<br /><br />Your boat will be unmanageable, stern heavy and will probably leave you swimming around where it sank.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

but what a ride while it lasts

 

[jimmbo]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

The 1100 (110hp) was only made in 1966 and 1967.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Let me know what lake you're going to be on with that deathtrap so me and my kids can stay way the hell far away. You're going to kill yourself. Probably take somebody with you. Sorry, but that's about the stupidest question that's ever been posted that I've seen on here. GET REAL!

 

[jimmbo]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

I know of a moron that put a Merc 225 on a Glastron GT150, a 15ft boat. I just hope he hadn't reproduced yet. Nip that bad gene string with his demise.

 

[ronmold]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

The HP rating is more than "will the transom hold the power" Handling, weight, hull design all are part of the rating factor. That said, I believe the motor would work on there since the I6's aren't that heavy and contrary to some of the previous comments ( a little strong I believe - hey a guy can dream once and a while) you woudn't have to drive at WOT all the time! That is if you have the self control. Keep in mind:<br />1. your a guy<br />2. it's a boat - enough said<br />An old boat like this is bound to have some transom rot. I glassed in an extra 3/4 plywood piece on the inside of my transom to beef it up for a jackplate and also added an aluminum bar across the entire transom where the top bolt holes are. The other problem will be your steering hardware. Make sure it is in good repair or replace it with a new teleflex NFB unit. And finally if you ever get stopped by the water patrol or CG you'd better have a great story to explain the big motor. Good luck!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

"1964 14' Sears Traveler runabout and just lucked up on finding a good used 110 mercury outboard (6 cyl "tower of power" haha!)."<br /> <br />Anything over the 50HP rating on that old weak and rotted (it is..you just can't see it) transon will have the motor in the water and you very shortly after.........

 

[achris]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Brad,<br /><br />Just check that your life insurance policy will pay out on 'Acts of Stupidity'. <br /><br />The one thing that occurs to me is that if you're asking the question, then you don't have a lot of boating experience. A boat that size with that much power would be a handful for even a very experienced driver. In the hands of the inexperienced, it would be lethal. <br /><br />Chris...............

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Here we go again...THE PLEASURE POLICE ARE OUT IN FORCE AND SLUMPING TO NAME CALLING AND INSULTS AGAIN!!!<br />Top speed in that boat with a couple of people and that ole' motor would only be about 55-60 mph on a good day. NOW! If ya wanna have some fun here's the things to consider: What kind of hull design does the boat have? Level flotation built in? Transom height 15" or 20"? General transom condition and how its fastened to the hull? AND condition of hull itself?<br /> Top speed running on the transom is not particularly an issue. BUT hole shotting is because of the instant torque applied by jamming the throttle forward with an engine of that size. AS with ANY high performance machine, they must be treated with care and respect and a soft touch of the hand at upper operating parameters of the performance envelope. This does require some experience. You will NEVER gain any experience unless you attempt to practice and do some of these things. Souping up your boat is jus' fine to do. BUT make sure you have the help of knowleged and competent but "POSITIVE" people around you. The only considerations to look at is what the law is in YOUR state concerning HP upgrades beyond original placards AND insurance coverage law if you want to go that far. A motor of that size on a boat of that size is really not unusual. But its the design of the hull that should be taken into consideration. I personally have a HIGHLY modified Sea Nymph 14R with late 50 hp Mercury on it and it does 44 MPH with jus' me in it. And I have built one that has a 60 HP for a customer doing 50 MPH. These boats only have a .050" thick hull and weight only 650 lbs all up weight. They have operating limitations, max rough water speed is 32 MPH (chop over 12") and no wake jumping. These boats were never originally designed to go over 30 MPH with a 25 HP. They have extensive deck structure that is incorporated into the hull to abate hull flexing and transom torqing all built like an aircraft structure. They also have an ancient but stable hull shape design, even at higher speeds. Because of the extra 70 lbs of motor weight in the rear I had to add extra flotation in the stern area. My boat is fished every weekend, sometimes twice a week and fished regularly in local bass tourneys. In general in the south Florida area were I live and fish, the average bass boat here is 14 to 20 feet in length and does 80 to 100 MPH in the back waters of the everglades.<br /> In closing this would be a really fine project IF you are willing to do quality work and research proper modifications with competent help and knowledge. If you would like, I can help you considerably on hull modifications and pictures. Badrulz..post here if you need help.

 

[nboater]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Just for comparison sake. We have a Tracker 17 rated for 125 HP. It moves plenty fast with a 90 on it. I cannot imagine putting a 250 on it.<br /><br />I guess I wouldn't put a lot of time into restoring an old boat and then jeopardize all my hard work trying to make it into something it was not designed for, regardless of how confident I was in a beefed-up transom, etc.<br /><br />Find a 50hp motor of that era, restore it and voila you have yourself a classic, not a disaster on the way to happening.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

The hull design is very important. You could certainly reinforce it, and those older inlines only weigh about 250-275 lbs. the problem you will have is the hull design itself. I can almost bet a part of my anatomy that the hull is near flat at the transom, with maybe a small keel rib running from transom to where the hull transitions to the bow entry. That type of hull, if overpowered, can become unstable in a turn, sliding out and/or tripping, causing a flip. I put an 85 horse Merc inline six on a 1963 17 foot runnabout with this type of hull, and it was decent in a straight line, but any sort of sharp turn at speed and it wanted to slide out. I would seriously consider a smaller motor or a bigger hull. Its not a matter of being fun police, its just that particular hull design will not work well with huge power. A more modern hull style is more appropriate, even if the length remains 14 feet.

 

[kev_79]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

I think that is indeed doable, but the real question is, "do you want to?"<br /><br />If you want a speed boat like no one else has, then the answer is probably yes, but if you want a fishing boat, I'd say no...and here's why:<br /><br />1. Unless you do it right, you will (in the back of your mind) be worried about it. That is if you can do it right, and if you can, it will likely cost more than it would be worth. If you want a fishing boat, you will like one that suits that engine much better.<br /><br />2. Insurance hassles<br />3. Poor fuel economy (If you use is like a fishing boat, you will be expending more fuel than necessary at any given speed)<br />4. etc. I just realized this could get boring to read, so I'm stopping.<br /><br />These, of course, only apply if you want a normal boat. If you want something wild and crazy, then go for it. I would, however, suggest some type air tight compartments that will allow it to float upside down, a kill switch, and a helmet <br /><br />Just my .02<br /><br />k

 

[bradrulz]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Thank you for the posts. I apologize if I frightened or overly angered anyone. I certainly had misgivings about putting this motor on this hull. That's why i posted to this board WELL BEFORE getting anywhere near endangering myself, my passengers or (for christ's sake) any of you. <br /><br />I find the information here extremely valuable and a great resource for learning more about this hobby that i love. Based on the productive and helpful responses, I will look for a more appropriate hull/motor combo... a safer combination to work together.<br /><br />I thank you all for your replies... even WillyB and aChris. I get the meaning of what you're trying to tell me. Just understand that calling someone "stupid" on the internet is a lot safer than in person. You probably already know that and maybe even have learned that lesson a couple times. I'm just here to learn about boating from the pros, not teach you a lesson. Take care.<br /><br />Thanks again. -brad

 

[kev_79]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Well put Brad, very well put.<br /><br /><br />k

 

[nboater]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Brad, Good luck on your search for a better combo. When you find the right match have fun and safe boating!

 

[achris]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Hey Brad,<br /><br />Good choice. Hope I haven't hurt your feelings. I had no intention of calling you stupid, just the act.<br /><br />Chris.............

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 110 hp outboard too much for a 14 foot runabout?

Ditto! Happy and SAFE boating! Glad we...I didn't scare you away. Keep on posting. <br /><br />achris, where do you find those things?