biggest o/b for my bass boat

[Htamotorsports]

i was just wondering whats the biggest outboard motor i can put in my 16' bass boat, its a 1980, the previous owner had a 60hp on there, i bought the boat w/out a motor and have a 115 mercury outboard sitting around, is this too much for my bass boat? i see alot of bass boats w/ 200hp out board motors,

here are some pics, let me know what you think

 

[Chris1956]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

usually there is a max HP rating on the USCG-required plate attached to the boat. You should look around for it. If you cannot find it, there is a USCG formula, which is very imprecise.

Based upon the length of the boat, I would think that a 115HP motor is either the absolute max, or more likely, is a bit over the max. If the maker is still in business, you might contact them and ask.

 

[j_martin]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

The 200 HP bass boats you see are 19' or better mod v pad hulls, and are made for the power and speed.

That said, 115 should make that thang fly pretty good. Just be sure it's all good, solid transom, no mushy wood in the bottom, and the steering is very, very tight. I think the clamp on jack plate is probably too light, also.

hope it helps
John

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

it might be rated for a 115, and i hope that's a trolling bracket, not a jack plate.

 

[NothinFancy]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

I have a 16' bayliner and the max hp for it says 90 but I put a 79 Merc 115 on it and it is pretty fast! about 46+/-mph. I did however reinforce the transem before I put it on.

 

[Htamotorsports]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

how do you guys recommend reinforcing the transom?

and i apologize for the ignorance, but what is a jack plate

 

[j_martin]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

how do you guys recommend reinforcing the transom?

and i apologize for the ignorance, but what is a jack plate

You ain't qualified to run an overpowered boat!!!!

At least, not yet.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

I had a 16 ft Bonito that was rated for and had a 150 on it. But to be safe you need to find out its max rating.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: biggest o/b for my bass boat

how do you guys recommend reinforcing the transom?

First: make sure the transom is in fact solid. Use a pocket knife to probe the areas where water could have gotten into the wood. If ya have another kicker motor you can bolt it to the transom, (with the motor bracket screws on the motor), and grab the very end of the skeg with the motor tilted up and see if the transom has give to it. IF IT IS ALREADY SOLID, (and rated for a 115), then you can wrap the top of the transom with a 3/16 welded aluminum plate that wraps below the bracket on the outside and down 4 inches or so over the top (inside the boat). I have done this twice for about $200 per boat at the local welding shop give or take. On one of my boats: I also braced the inside with a 45 degree leg, on the other an aluminum plate that the lower bolts come through. Both of these old boats are now very strong as that spreads the load over the entire rear of the boats. I would not do this on a transom that was already weak. If that is the case: replace the entire transom, or buy another boat with a good one on it.

and i apologize for the ignorance, but what is a jack plate

A heavy duty plate that can raise or lower the motor. Yours looks to have a kicker bracket for a smaller motor for trolling. Hope this helps. JR