do I really need/want a 90 HP?

[68C15]

I am seriously thinking of getting a 2012 Alumacraft Competitor 165 Sport.
http://www.alumacraft.com/2012-models/175-sport/165-sport/#info

this would be for the wife and I to fish mainly. we go to local lakes of 2000 acres or less with less than 30' depth and occasionally to the river downstream of the dams. once in a while we would pull a medium sized tube (single person) with 3 people in boat.

my question is do I need a 90 HP or is a 50 going to be enough? I am pretty much sold on Yamaha, do they offer anything in between 50 and 90 in a 4 stroke?

 

[scoutabout]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

Nice boats! Last I checked you can get 60, 70, and 75 horses.

We love our Yammie 90 fourstroke and have been seeing some truly outstanding mileage numbers out of it. As for power, do a search on this forum under "Damn - I got too much power on tap!"
You won't find it's a common regret buyers have.

Watersport use alone would cinch the choice of 90 for me. Ours will pull three kids on a tube behind the boat you see in my sig and below (dry weight 100 pounds more than the one you are looking at) easily but I wouldn't want less power in that case. When my son weighs as much or more than me and wants to wakeboard I think I'm going to have some issues.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

Too much horsepower is never enough! Aint no replacement for displacement! While most outboards seem to have only two throttle positions, in reality the throttle has many positions and no one forces you to open it all the way.

Seriiously, I had a fellow with a 16 foot Lowe fishing boat rated for 75 and powered with a 40. He wanted to increase power and I mounted on a 60. With all his junk the boat was a dog and the engine just couldn't get it over 25 MPH.

I ended up giving him a bigger engine and now the boat performs well.

If money is not the object go with the 90 or at least a 75-85. You won't regret it, but you may regret buying a 50

 

[68C15]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

I see according to yammie's website the 75 is DOHC while the 70 is SOHC. the 70 weighs about 120 lbs. less and has about the same performance/economy. both are 16 valve.

70/75 are about $2000 less than 90?

 

[68C15]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

does anyone know if there is a published torque rating of these motors (70,75,90)? after all, that's what does the work.

 

[robert graham]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

I've got a 90HP on my 1870 jon boat and it's plenty of power and for most purposes more than we really need or use. A 70HP would be about right for your boat, especially since it's aluminum and somewhat lighter than a fiberglass boat of the same size.

 

[Mercurypower]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

Do not get a yamaha if your worried with weight they were rated the heaviest out board in the world, get a mercury, they are higher in fuel efficiency and power, also they have a larger selection of out boards between 50 and 90 hp

 

[Silvertip]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

Alumacraft is one of the manufacturers from which you can order a "No Pre-rig" boat meaning you can order the boat without an engine. The instruments are there, steering is there, it's just there is no engine. YOu therefore are free to install whatever engine you wish from whomever you wish. Unless you are doing heavy duty water sports, a 75 will work. I have an Alumacraft 165CS that's powered by a 75 Merc two stroke and it is a very nice performing rig. The rule of thumb for power is absolutely no less than 75% or rated maximum. Anything less and you end up with a dog of a boat that needs to be run full throttle nearly all of the time.

 

[Slow Ride]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

I see and hear this question from time to time and I always give the same example. Your family car or truck usually has 200hp-300hp but you could easily get by with less than 100hp on most days and still we by the bigger HP. When you need it you will thank yourself for the extra power. You rarely run your vehicle at wide open throttle, so why would you do the same with your outboard. If you end up with to little power you will be running it at 5000+ RPMs on a regular basis which will shorten its life drastically. If you are going to pull anything, i.e. tubers, ski, whatever, opt of the most HP your budget will allow.

Just my opinion
1

 

[Texasmark]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

Agree with Frank and others that you never have enough power. I would have agreed to the 50 but when you said water toys I agree with others to go for it. I have a 90 Merc on a 17' alum boat (rated for 130) and it does 48.5 gps with two and gear. So, other than toys, or a "lust" for thrilling performance, the 50 would have been plenty.

HTH,

Mark

 

[zopperman]

Re: do I really need/want a 90 HP?

Yes. My boat is underpowered with a 70 HP and does 30 at WOT with just me and a little gas. I'm looking for a 115-140...