Re: bassboat rated for 175 what would be enough hp to push it good and save fuel
I understand your position. I have a 17' Astro w/135 OB. It *flies* if you want it to. But we typically spend all day putting around the lake and that just loads up the motor. I don't need to get to the next spot in 15 seconds. I'm out fishing to relax.
We rarely want to go anywhere near WOT but find I have to to clean it out once in awhile. The OB is heavy and gas hungry. Just putting around it's very inefficient. If that's the kind of use your boat will see, then I understand why you'd like a smaller OB. I personally would prefer something like a 50hp for the way we use the boat rather than putting the 135 and sucking down gallons of fuel unnecessarily. So we often take one of the smaller boats fishing but they aren't as nice or comfortable to be in all day.
If I had more time, I might consider a swap. Then I'd be asking similar questions; what is the minimum hp required to plane the hull. Trial and error would get expensive. I have a buddy who has a similar Tracker and his had the 50hp and it scooted along just fine so that's probably where I'd start considering. Fortunately, there are people here on this board that are much more knowledgeable and if you get those hull specifications, they can probably work the numbers and get a better number. But you have to state what you're willing to accept as far as performance. Me, as long as it planed, I'd be happy.
Realistically, I probably would be better off selling the boat to someone who wants the performance and buy a more suitable rig for my purposes. You're currently motorless so it makes more sense to repower in your situation. Good luck!
