65 HP big enough?

[Bob1957]

I have recently purchased a 17' Cobia bowrider without a motor. It is a deep v with lots of freeboard. I plan to use the boat for fishing Lake Erie and would like to have the capability of getting of the lake in a hurry should things turn nasty. I found a 1974 65 HP Mercury for a great price and would like to know if anyone can give me an idea of the speed I can expect using this motor?<br /><br />Pic - http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b310/outdrwriter/Cobia/cobia.jpg <br /><br />Bob

 

[jtexas]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

What's the max rating? <br />my guess: less than 30mph, maybe 35.

 

[Bob1957]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

From searching on the web I have found the same boat with a 115 HP. That is the largest I have seen, it originally had an 85 on it that the previous owner sold.

 

[Pony]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

I had a boat similar to that with a 60hp and my 14fter with a 25hp goes faster.......I'd say a 90 or 115 would be ideal.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

22-25 mph, with one guy (you). Toss more guys, gear, and food and you'll be lucky if you plane. I'd look for at least 100 hp, if not more. I would guess that boat is rated at 130-150 hp, try to get as close to max rating as you can. You will use about the same amount of fuel on a 125 hp motor at half throttle as you would that 65 hp at full throttle. Plus, hulls with that much deadraise need more power to plane than a flatter hull. You can try the 65 hp, but you'll hate it, and not use the boat as much.<br /><br />For the body of water you plan on boating, you really want the juice. Good luck...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

can you actually have TO much power ?<br />if its old enough it may or may not have a rating plate. if it does not then common sense is your best helmsman.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

I have a 15' boat with a 85 HP (Merc)<br /><br />There's absolutely nothing wrong with it that a 115 HP Merc wouldn't fix. <br /><br />Chuck

 

[Bob1957]

Re: 65 HP big enough?

"if its old enough it may or may not have a rating plate"<br /><br />Oops, it is a 1976 and I can't find a rating plate.<br /><br />I figured that the 60 wouldn't get it, probably look for a 90 to 115 with PTT. That big lake can get really scary in a hurry and I could be 8 - 10 miles out.<br /><br />Thanks for the help everyone, next step figuring out how to remove all that ugly paint.<br /><br />Bob