can i go over the transom rating ?

[den44057]

i have a 1961 15ft aluminum star craft runabout with aluminum transom and i just bought a 1980 55 hp Johnson that i would like to put on it.
now my question is my boat is rated for a 50 hp would the extra 5 hp matter ? or should i brace the transom with wood ? thanks for any info

den

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

Sounds reasonable to me, that 55hp outboard is a good size for a 15' aluminum boat. You will want to make sure that the transom is healthy enough(not rotten) and check the balance of the weight.

Shift weight forward a bit to keep her floating level in the water if needed.

You should really get over to the Starcraft forum here on iboats and post some photos of the boat too.

 

[JB]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

If your transom is sound 5HP will not break it.

If your 55HP Johnny is a twin (I think the 1980s were all twins) I would probably go ahead and use it with 50HP or 48SPL decals on the bonnet.

If it is a triple I think I would go looking for a swap to a nice 50HP twin.

Now, that said, you need to know local law on the subject of overpowering a boat. If there is a legal penalty for getting caught don't do it.

 

[Robbabob]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

If your transom is sound 5HP will not break it.

If your 55HP Johnny is a twin (I think the 1980s were all twins) I would probably go ahead and use it with 50HP or 48SPL decals on the bonnet.

If it is a triple I think I would go looking for a swap to a nice 50HP twin.

Now, that said, you need to know local law on the subject of overpowering a boat. If there is a legal penalty for getting caught don't do it.

I was going to add in on the legality of it. The law is in place for a reason, and while 5 HP may not be an issue in this case, too many people want to go WAY over their rating. People get killed.

It's all about safety.... if something were to happen and the 5hp were to blame, would it be worth it? just sayin....

 

[den44057]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

thanks for the info so far guys and i made a mistake the motor is a 1979 55 hp johnson sea horse.

the boat came with a 1961 18 hp johnson and it runs great but is slow thats why i bought the 55 hp and it was a last seconed thing or someone else was getting it.

i thought for sure it would be fine on the 61 15' starcraft and being it is all aliminum including the transom. buy the way i bought the boat from a one owner and was garage kept always so it is very clean and came with origanal top, windows, cover. everything as the day it was purchased new.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

Can you post a pix of your Starcraft? Never seen one without some kind of wood in/on the transom. Going from 18 to 55 hp I would definitely add some kind of wood pad if there isn't one. A 61 18 hp weighs 80-90 lbs. and I bet the 55 hp is quite a bit heavier.

 

[den44057]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

Can you post a pix of your Starcraft? Never seen one without some kind of wood in/on the transom. Going from 18 to 55 hp I would definitely add some kind of wood pad if there isn't one. A 61 18 hp weighs 80-90 lbs. and I bet the 55 hp is quite a bit heavier.

i will get some pics up today and yes it came with a 18 hp but the transom tag does say 50 hp on it so it has to be buuilt good enough for that much hp right ?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

Considering that a 50hp Johnrude from 1958 or 1959 (easily available for a 1961 boat) weighed MORE than a 1979 55hp Johnrude, I think you're probably safe - at least from a structural standpoint. Legally, you're on your own...

 

[den44057]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

Considering that a 50hp Johnrude from 1958 or 1959 (easily available for a 1961 boat) weighed MORE than a 1979 55hp Johnrude, I think you're probably safe - at least from a structural standpoint. Legally, you're on your own...

thanks for your info i had bought a 66 40 hp Johnson super sea horse for it a few months ago but never put it on and it looks and feels allot heavier than the 79 55 hp Johnson that i just bought.

i just wanted to make sure that i was not going to damage the boat by using 5 more hps i just use the boat for fishing but as its small i want to get back to the docks being that our lake Erie kicks up fast

 

[den44057]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

trying to post pics so everyone can see what I'm talking about but it keeps saying one security token is missing ?

i am going to try and describe the transom the best i can.

the transom is 16'' high and 5' wide it has and board going across the top 6'' wide and then there is a aluminum shelf going across under that.

now from the shelf down its just aluminum no more wood but there is a couple braces going from the floor to the transom and to the shelf.

no there is no holes drilled into the back of the boat as the 18 hp on it is clamped but the 55 hp i bought does not have these clamps.

hope this helps some and if i can figure out the pics i will get them up

 

[ezmobee]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

Sounds about standard. Make sure that wood piece is in excellent condition. If in doubt, replace it. It's not a big job on a tinny.

 

[den44057]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

i want to thanks all the guys who did give me there opinions and have decided to sell the starcraft and move on to something bigger.

now i would like to know does it always take a week to get any help or answers from the administrators from this site ?

its been 7 day that i emailed every day to the main Page for help on the pics to be loaded and nothing till just 5 minutes ago.


just seems a little long to me


anyway thanks to all

 

[ezmobee]

Re: can i go over the transom rating ?

now i would like to know does it always take a week to get any help or answers from the administrators from this site ?

its been 7 day that i emailed every day to the main Page for help on the pics to be loaded and nothing till just 5 minutes ago. l

Contact a moderator (like myself) in the future.