25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

[thelightning]

Hello,

I am looking for a new engine for my small alu boat. I found a 1997 Force 25HP 3cyl weighing 24kg and a Mercury Lightning 30HP 2cyl at 52KG.

My boat is small so weight is really an issue, What would be the best engine for my boat?
the lightning ofcourse has 5HP more but also weighs 10kg more! while the 25hp has 3cyl for good acceleration although all im really after
is topspeed. the force max wot is 6000 the merc max 5500

I will put the biggest ballistic prop available under the engine i will buy, that wont be a problem cuz my boat is very small and it will come out of the water completely.

I also read somewhere that they changed the way the measure HP that newer models are 10/15% stronger? all outboard manufactors exept Force use this?
or is this bullsh*t?

what do u guys think? the Force or the Merc?

 

[jtexas]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

given a choice between force & merc, I'd always go with merc, just for reliability and parts availability. 5HP in exchange for 10kg doesn't sound like a very good trade-off - but merc should be able to swing a bigger prop seeing as how she only wants to go 5500. is fuel burn rate an issue for ya?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Merc over Force any old day..

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

My boat is small so weight is really an issue, What would be the best engine for my boat?

"The boat is made for max 9HP"..... A motor not more than your max. rated hp is ideal for your boat.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

"The boat is made for max 9HP.

Just a stupid question, but where do you come up with this BS...nothing in his post about a 9hp rating that I can see..? Jeez, I have a 135hp on a 15.9 foot boat

 

[thelightning]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Dude.. its a Quicksilver alu.. its cheap.. made of thin alluminum so it cannot take more then 9HP.. i fixed it up a bit to be able to handle a stronger engine.

Its on alumacraft or anything.. if i would put a 50hp or bigger engine on it will sink

Parts is not a problem, both force and merc are available here np.

 

[Robj]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

You should not exceed the maximum horsepower rating on the boat. End of story.

Doing so creates all sorts of liability issues should anything ever happen. Have you re-engineered the boat and structure and gone through the certification process to ensure it is safe for a larger engine? My guess is probably not. If you want more power buy a bigger boat.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Just a stupid question, but where do you come up with this BS...nothing in his post about a 9hp rating that I can see..? Jeez, I have a 135hp on a 15.9 foot boat

Scaaty..... thelightning said the boat was made for max 9HP in a previous post. Sorry, I should have stated that.
I also watched his youtube video, a 8 hp. motor would also make that boat scoot!

thelightning..... My thoughts are with the bigger motors you will get the best performance from them with a hp. rated boat and the boat can still be small and a thrill to drive.

 

[thelightning]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

wtf is wrong with you people? i thought americans like this.. the bigger the engine the better :/
Whats the fun in running this boat in "legal" circumstances? with an 8hp you wont even cross 20mph or so... im doing 37 which is fun! u just gotta know the limits off the boat.. run it on smooth water.. which is all we have here.. dont go run it on rough water.

if i buy a bigger boat ill need a bigger enigine too... so no use to.. and not to forget, i dont have the money for it

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Looks like your mind is made up no matter what eh !!!!

 

[roscoe]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Buy the Force. It will outperform the Merc. That Force model is under rated. Run the rpm up a bit higher and you could make 35hp, maybe more. Convert it to above water exhaust, and it will scream. Plus you can buy parts for it at almost any auto or farm supply store.

 

[EricR]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Where is this youtube video at?

 

[javsam]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

I agree with roscoe go with the force,it is alot lighter than the merc.And Forces were good motors, if you could do simple maintenance.

 

[roscoe]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Sam, I was joking, as I thought this whole thread was a joke.

The 3 cyl 25 was a neat little engine though.
I'd buy one just for kicks.

 

[Scaaty]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Scaaty..... thelightning said the boat was made for max 9HP in a previous post. Sorry, I should have stated that.
I also watched his youtube video, a 8 hp. motor would also make that boat scoot!

thelightning..... My thoughts are with the bigger motors you will get the best performance from them with a hp. rated boat and the boat can still be small and a thrill to drive.

Well, that makes more sense..BUT..beef up the trans..screw the lawyers..I have a old sears 14 foot composite hull, damn near broke the trans off with a 20hp Johnny..few bolts, boards, fiberglassed the crack's, tied it into the rear seat (use a tiller)...now if it breaks off, I'm going with it...sorry, I'm old school...too much HP is never enough..

 

[thelightning]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Thats what im talking about Scaaty There is no such thing as too much hp
Here is one of my youtube vids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03GVfg56cTA

How can i "run the rpm up higher" and convert it to above water exhaust?
Should i mount the engine higher on the transom also? i already have a Ballistic prop so it should help

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

yeah, i saw you bailing water, that runs fine in the little pond, but hit one wake wrong and the whole thing is under water, or catch a gust of wind and the bow is going over the stern. totally and completely unsafe rig.

 

[thelightning]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

But extremely cool but what you say makes no sense at all.. any kind of boat going at insane speeds have problems like this...

 

[EricR]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Well Lightning, I watched the video and except for you having 25 horsepower I was doing the same thing with a 9.2 Seaking on a 14' fiberglas back in the day.

As long as you have beefed up the transom and know the risks you can have fun. I'd run a teather on that thing however!

Honestly I think it looks safer than some of those 8' Hydros made from thin plywood I saw built from Magazine plans.

And yes, I am an American, with a V8 swapped into a formerly 2.5 liter four cylinder S10 truck.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 25HP Force or 30HP Mercury Lightning?

Thats what im talking about Scaaty There is no such thing as too much hp
Here is one of my youtube vids: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03GVfg56cTA

How can i "run the rpm up higher" and convert it to above water exhaust?
Should i mount the engine higher on the transom also? i already have a Ballistic prop so it should help

Scarey on the wrong waters !!!