Good speed for this boat&motor?

[Mainiac]

I have a 1975 Blue Fin 18' aluminum boat with a 2003 Honda 50hp 4-stroke, just got it all together and was able to get 28.4mph out of it with just myself in the boat (using a GPS). Is this good for this set-up? ideally I would have a 115hp on it but this motor fell into my hands, I thought that speed was decent for an 18' w/ only a 50hp.....is it?

 

[Challenger84]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

not bad at all for 50hp

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

28mph is very good for a 50hp on an 18' rig.

The biggest advantage of running a mid-size motor is that you can idle right down to proper trolling speed and it should do pretty well on fuel(if you troll for fish that is very convenient).

The downside is that if you have 4-5 people on board and need to get somewhere in a hurry(like away from lightning, etc.) it will not be as fast as you want at the time.

I have a 16' Starcraft and I'd like a 70hp OMC rather than my old Merc 80hp.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

I thought that speed was decent for an 18' w/ only a 50hp.....is it?

Indeed.

 

[4Winns2]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

I never checked with GPS but my 13 footer with my 15 hp does in the twenties. You can have your PWCs, I'll ride this one any day.

 

[Mainiac]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

nice... i was happy with 28mph.... I have a little 12' aluminum with a 9.9 tohatsu that I got 21.1mph on the GPS and that is about as fast as you would ever want to go in that little thing!
The 18' with the 50hp 4-stroke I am looking forward to some comfortable fishing! I am hoping it will also pull a tuber, I am pretty sure it will.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

it might pull a small tuber. but yeah i bet performance goes down quick with added weight. thats how it is with a marginally powered boat.

its amazing how fun it is in a little tiller jon boat doing 20-25mph

 

[Mark42]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

Wow! That is great speed for 50 hp on a 18 footer! I bet with a little fine tuning, you could get 30. The boat being aluminum is playing a big part in getting such good speed. My 14' MFG runabout with a 1993 40 hp does 30 mph empty, so I am surprised you did so well with your setup.

What RPM is it hitting at top speed? What's the prop pitch? Can you reduce weight any more? I would be interested in seeing what you can squeeze out of it.

 

[steve riddell]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

Wow!!
Thats Awesome!! & Good on fuel to I bet!! Have fun with it!!

 

[Mainiac]

Re: Good speed for this boat&motor?

RPM @ WOT was just under 5k, not really even turning up that much.....might be able to adjust the throttle cable & get a little more??