Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

[basstracker1970]

Hello, Just wanted to get some opinions on this. I have a 1993 Bass Tracker Tournament TX-17 bass boat. The boat came with the johnson 40hp that does ok but I bought a 1983 Mercury 80hp im going to put on it. The boat says it is rated for Max 70hp which i think is kinda low. I think the 80 will do a good job on it myself but wanted to get some of your opinions on it. I dont want to get in trouble for it being over powered but 10hp isn't that much more anyways. Thanks in advance .........

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

If it were me, and if I was certain the transom was solid, I'd go for it. Besides, sometime in the mid 80's outboard manufacturers changed from rating engines based on power at the crankshaft to power at the prop, so that '83 80 HP is likely pretty close to a '93 70 HP. The only other thing to consider is if you'll catch any flack from local law enforcement or your insurance.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

You've always got the problem that it doesn't matter where the horsepower was rated at, if it says 80hp on a 70hp rated boat, you'll be in DEEP doo-doo if you get in any kind of accident.

 

[basstracker1970]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

I don't know why my boat is rated at 70hp max. I have seen many boats for sale just like mine same year that had 75hp mercs on them. What if I just change the stickers on the cowl to like 70 or 75hp. I really dont think anyone is going to know the difference. I dont have boat insurance never have esp on a 1993 boat. Maybe if someday I buy a new boat then yes. I was getting 35mph out of the 40hp what would the 80hp do for me?

 

[guss az]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Did you try playin with a higher pitch prop? It looks like your tracker is 17ft long that 80hp might get you rollin faster than you want. that 70hp with a higher pitch prop you will be smokin that wake my bass boat has a 21 pitch and it hauls *****.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

I don't know why my boat is rated at 70hp max. I have seen many boats for sale just like mine same year that had 75hp mercs on them. What if I just change the stickers on the cowl to like 70 or 75hp. I really dont think anyone is going to know the difference. I dont have boat insurance never have esp on a 1993 boat. Maybe if someday I buy a new boat then yes. I was getting 35mph out of the 40hp what would the 80hp do for me?

Don't blame you for not insuring your '83 Tracker. However, if you upgrade motors you may find that you're required to add liability coverage. In Arkansas the cutoff is 50 horseys. Don't know what it is in the bluegrass state, or if there is one, but I'd be willing to bet there is and it's somewhere around 50. Just something else to consider.

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

I'm amazed at how many people don't consider a minimum of liability insurance on their rigs. Don't they realize if they get in an accident that ends up being their fault, the other person will own everything they own for the next several decades.

 

[basstracker1970]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Again, I just wanted to get some opinions on mounting the 80hp on my boat. I dont know how it is where you live but here in Ky where I live I dont know anyone I fish with that keeps Insurance on their old backyard weekender bass boat. I actually cant stand insurance companies. They love to take your money and make you feel safe but let something happen and they dont care about you anymore.

 

[cityboy]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Hello, Just wanted to get some opinions on this. I have a 1993 Bass Tracker Tournament TX-17 bass boat. The boat came with the johnson 40hp that does ok but I bought a 1983 Mercury 80hp im going to put on it. The boat says it is rated for Max 70hp which i think is kinda low. I think the 80 will do a good job on it myself but wanted to get some of your opinions on it. I dont want to get in trouble for it being over powered but 10hp isn't that much more anyways. Thanks in advance .........

time to but new stickers

 

[basstracker1970]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Exactly what I was thinking. Im repainting the motor anyways......

 

[seabob4]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Hang and rig the 80! I have a friend in Tarpon Springs that runs an Eveinrude 150 on his Mako 17...yes, she will haul *****!!!

The issue is with the liabilities should you have an accident. That's your call...

 

[basstracker1970]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

I think my bass tracker is going to haul some A** also with the 80hp. What do you guys think it would run? I'm figuring close to 50mph hopefully. I think im going to make it a sleeper and put 70hp decals on her.....

 

[paidfor]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

I have a 85 Bass Tracker Tournament with a 75 HP Mercury on it. The guy I bought it from said it is the orig. motor (title says it is a 85 motor also) for the boat. It runs excellent and pulls the boat up on plane quick. All of the wood (except the transom) has been removed and it has alum. in its place on the decks.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

I think my bass tracker is going to haul some A** also with the 80hp. What do you guys think it would run? I'm figuring close to 50mph hopefully. I think im going to make it a sleeper and put 70hp decals on her.....

Work your way up in steps to top end. At one point, you'll probably realize the hull becomes unstable at a certain speed, and this is as far as she'll take you...

A concept called "hull speed". Basically the speed at which a hull achieves maximum speed, yet still is predictable and controllable with steering input and trim. Anything past that, and she is a chine-walking, swapping ends accident waiting to happen...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

A concept called "hull speed". Basically the speed at which a hull achieves maximum speed, yet still is predictable and controllable with steering input and trim. Anything past that, and she is a chine-walking, swapping ends accident waiting to happen...

Nope. Hull speed refers to the theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull (or planing hull below planing speed) can achieve.

Not going to touch the OP's question. This issue has been beaten to death many times in this forum.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Again, I just wanted to get some opinions on mounting the 80hp on my boat. I dont know how it is where you live but here in Ky where I live I dont know anyone I fish with that keeps Insurance on their old backyard weekender bass boat. I actually cant stand insurance companies. They love to take your money and make you feel safe but let something happen and they dont care about you anymore.

I usually have both feet firmly planted in the "don't exceed the specs" camp, but I personally think the 80 will be fine. However, please forgive me for beating this dead horse, but I promise I have your best interest at heart. I understand your enmity toward insurance providers, but please think about the following.

1. What is the penalty for failing to carry liability coverage if such coverage is required, which it very possibly is for a boat with an 80 hp outboard.
2. What can you afford to lose if you're involved in a boating accident and someone comes after you for damages?
3. Will you be able to sleep at night if someone's life is lost or ruined as a result of number two?

Chances are neither of these scenarios will materialize, but what if one of them does? I know a gentleman who lost everything he had (which was quite a bit materially speaking) and was forced to file bankruptcy at 48 due to his failure to ask himself those questions. You're a big boy and don't need our blessing to do whatever you think is best. However, I'd rather you resent our intrusion than be the victim and/or cause of an avoidable tragedy. Just something to think about.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Insurance companies, law enforcement, and attorneys are not stupid. Changing the decals on the motor is not going to fool anyone. Having the fastest 70 HP on the lake is an invite for law enforcement. If there are witnesses to an accident where speed or carelessness is involved, you can bet there will an investigation and the boat will be gone over with a fine tooth comb in order to determine culpability. There are other markings on an engine that will determine its HP and if necessary, it will be torn down to measure bore and stroke to determine its actual HP. This is not rocket science. I'm on the other side of the fence with insurance, especially liability. Running ANY motorized vehicle/boat is a disservice to yourself, and those in your boat and other boaters would likely sue your behind for everything you own. They will whether or not you have insurance but liability insurance on a boat is cheap considering the potential consequences. Whether you insure the boat for its value is not an issue. You can either afford to replace it or not. Choice is yours. But running an over-powered boat with no insurance is financial suicide in my view -- and I would help that happen if I'm injured by an uninsured boater.

To wit: Trucker is hit head on by a young lady trying to commit suicide. Truck bursts into flame after rolling. Drive jumps out with burns and severely broken leg and foot. Young lady lives but has both legs amputated. Trucker will not likely drive again. Young lady had a borrowed car, no insurance. Who wins in this scenario. Answer is nobody. Who loses - answer is everybody including the trucking firm. Think people!!!!!! If you can afford a boat, car, truck, airplane, scooter, or ???????? you best be able to afford the insurance and responsibility that goes with ownership.

 

[seabob4]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Nope. Hull speed refers to the theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull (or planing hull below planing speed) can achieve.

Not going to touch the OP's question. This issue has been beaten to death many times in this forum.

Hull speed, in the historical definition, in regards to displacement hulls, is not what I am referring to here. This obviously is a planing hull, and will be operated in such a manner. Factors such as hydro-dynamic lift, COG, prop sizes, angle of thrust, weight, drag, and many others, will limit a hull as to just how fast it can go within the realms of control and predictability. Anyone can build a 20' deep vee and shoehorn a pair of 1000's in it, but does that mean it will have unlimited speed due to the amount of HP she has? No. The hull will determine how fast that boat goes, and that is what we call, in the modern world, hull speed...

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

yes the transom should hold if theres no problem but you should try new props and diffrent stuff before puting a new motor on the hp limites are there for a reason if you excede it then you might now know any problems now but down the road you will and if you try to reregerster it or sell it the buyer will have a problem regestering it if the moters exceded the limit i had a 15 boat and it have a 50 hp on it and the limit was 25 and they wouldnt let me regester it so i boat a 5 hp and regersted it with that

 

[NYBo]

Re: Bass Tracker TX-17 Motor ???

Hull speed, in the historical definition, in regards to displacement hulls, is not what I am referring to here. This obviously is a planing hull, and will be operated in such a manner. Factors such as hydro-dynamic lift, COG, prop sizes, angle of thrust, weight, drag, and many others, will limit a hull as to just how fast it can go within the realms of control and predictability. Anyone can build a 20' deep vee and shoehorn a pair of 1000's in it, but does that mean it will have unlimited speed due to the amount of HP she has? No. The hull will determine how fast that boat goes, and that is what we call, in the modern world, hull speed...

I would think there is another term for what you're talking about. Too confusing otherwise.:redface: