Enough Ponies?

[PaulKim]

Well, after the Seattle boat show, I started to think about a new boat, it would be very nice to have a hard top / enclosed area so I can extend my fishing / boating season. I've been out in the Puget sound, with some pretty nasty weather in my little bellboy, and it's just not that fun when it's 40 degrees and I'm soaked.<br /><br />So I've been looking at the Arima 21 Hardtop. I would like to use my existing 2005 90HP ELPTO with this boat. The boat is rated at 90-175HP. Will this be enough ponies? From all of the litature it appears that a 90 will get it on plane, but I would like to get your opinion. Anyone out there with this kind of setup / experience?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Enough Ponies?

If the boat is rated for 175, I think you are asking way too much of the 90.<br />To get the right RPM, you'll have it set up with such a low pitch prop, all it will do is "just plane out".It'll work the 90 to death.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Enough Ponies?

If the boat is rated for 175 HP max, you will be greatly disappointed with performance using your 90. 75% of rated maximum is a rule of thumb for minimum HP. That equates to 130 HP. A 90 would very likely struggle to get the boat on plane.

 

[JB]

Re: Enough Ponies?

What Upinsmoke said. Not less than 130hp, better 150-175hp.<br /><br />If you don't ike being wet and cold (I hate it when that happens) there is a much more economic alternative: FrogTogs.<br /><br />Waterproof, windproof and breathable. I haven't dealt with 40*, but I have worn them in gusty, wet squalls when it was around 50* and spray across my Whaler was horizontal. Only my hands and face got wet and except for chilly fingers I was comfortable.<br /><br />FWIW, I did not "go out" in that stuff. I was running for shelter.