Home built and horse power

[jusfloatin]

Good day all

I have a kit boat which when it is completed it will be classed as a homebuilt boat here in Canada. Being it will be classed as a homebuilt I will be able to place what ever size motor I would like.
I am sure the insurance companys might have different concerns but I am not sure they would insure it anyways reguardless of horse power. I am sure if paid enough they would but here in Alberta insurance is not a requirement.
Registration of the boat and trailer is the only requirement.

I presently have a Evinrude Durajet 55hp to power it.
Boat specs.

-19' long 25" pontoons
-8'x18' deck
-estimated weight when completed 1500lbs

My original intention for this boat was/is a reliable 15 to 20 mph stable boat which I believe I would be pretty close with what I have.

In the process of building (just finishing the trailer) many friends have suggested since hp will not be limited why not go BIGGER.

As this boat is a bare kit boat I was hopeing to salvage some my nessities from a wrecked or just neglected boat. I was thinking of maybe purchasing a complete boat, take what I need and sell the rest to recouporate any loses.

Long story short if I was to do this where would the line be as to how much is to much?

If possiblies:
-4 adults with fishing equipment
-35 mph

 

[lncoop]

Re: Home built and horse power

Most 18'/19' barges max out at 50 to 75hp. However, I'm not sure how they would compare to your rig in terms of motor capacity since weight, weight distribution, pontoon diameter, construction methods and a host of other variables figure into the calculation. If I were you I'd look at factory specs on stock barges; Bennington, Godfrey, Tracker, etc. and compare/contrast the various hp ratings paying particular attention to the one that most closely matches the specs on your rig. Just curious; sounds like the outboard you have now is a jet foot. You probably know this already, but a jet driven outboard will not push as well as an identical prop driven outboard, so you may want to take that into consideration as well. Good luck!

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Home built and horse power

From what I have got so far in respects to what could go on it's really like you say it is the frame which holds the motor which dictates.
Being the frame has not be started on I can build it to suit.

I am ok with what I have this was just one of those question that has come up numerous times while hanging out in the garage sippin and tippin with some friends.


Here is a link to a page that shows a comparison of different drives:
http://www.premiermarine.us/durajet-propeller.php

This motor has the Enforcer pump on it:
http://www.premiermarine.us/durajet-rescue.php

I got this for next to nothing and it has only 11.5 hours on the hour meter.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Home built and horse power

Yep, that's a good looking motor.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Home built and horse power

If you haven't already you should start posting pics of your "Frankentoon" in the resto thread. I'd love to see them and I'm sure others would too.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Home built and horse power

90hp would be the upper limit.

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Home built and horse power

90hp would be the upper limit.

If I was a betting man I would bet 80% of the pontoon boats 18' and bigger could/would accept a 90hp with minimal if any modification.

I call out to all of those that like myself just can't leave things alone. That gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach that screams out when you see things that would be better if I was just to

Heres some more info

1-These 19.3' long 25" diameter logs that when combined will take 4080lbs to submerge them more than 50%.
2-The only other boat I have seen had a 40hp Yamaha and it was mounted at least 12" back from the deck and appeared to plane nicely.
3.At the moment there is no frame and the boat was designed to use 5" aluminum C channel as the frame. Two C channels per pontoon with the cross members bolted to them.

At the moment in my area there seems to be a lot of old boats with 115's and even a couple of 150 Mercs.
There is even a 200hp for sale which I feel would be a bit much but then again how much is just too much.

I believe that if they is any forum on the net that would have the talent to design/advise a mid size toon racer

the iboats forum has them checking in on a daily bases​

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Home built and horse power

If you get to pick a number, and your insurance won't go crazy, why not rate it for 150 or unlimited? No one says you ever have to put that motor on, but if you wanted to you could. What does your kit manufacturer say?

I realize you have to use some common sense when powering this boat. You can't overpower the transom and the boat's structural capabilities, but if it's just a number for now and you get to pick it don't say 75 today and later wish you had said 115.

Rereading your post I see you are asking for an actual number for a motor limit. That's real hard to guess with such a small amount of information. I added the 3rd log to my boat and went to a 90 with no problems. I am hitting right under 30 MPH without lifting strakes, which are next on my list.

I suggest you talk to the kit maker who will give you a very conservative CYA (theirs) number.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Home built and horse power

i have never seen a Jet, that is as efficient as a prop motor.

i have a 1977 140 Erude on my toon.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Home built and horse power

That durajet is really more of a prop guard.

http://www.premiermarine.us/durajet-propeller.php

 

[jusfloatin]

Re: Home built and horse power

Thats exsactly what it was designed to do and it was designed for the US armed forces. There are still being purchased by the US armed forces.

My thoughts were when I came across this motor that if it was good enough for your armed forces it was good enough to hang off anything I owned.

I have no interst in soapboxing the positives of this motor as I don't know much more than what I have read or see on utube. I have started it and it sounds great there is only 11.4 hours on the meter.

It is starting to look like I will be going to a much bigger motor than this 55hp Evinrude.

Here is there Video page link

http://www.premiermarine.us/videos.php