how big of an outboard do i need?

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
I have a 21' grady white with a 175 evinrude now. Boat prolly weighs near 1500-2000 pounds... maybe? i use it for off shore fishing and will be getting a kicker as i hear that 2 outboards is just extra weight unless you want to go fast, ide rather spend less money making a 40+miles trip. My questions is how low can i go? a 140?
 

hitace

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 4, 2007
Messages
390
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

I never knew someone who wanted to get less horsepower :eek:
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

You should go with at least 75% of the rating for the boat.Also keep in mind you seldom here anyone say "boy I wish I had less horse power".If you went with a 200 say it would use about the same fuel as a 150 would if you run it at the 150 speed.And then you would have that little extra speed if you needed to make a run for it.If you selected the right larger motor it might weigh the same as one with less hp.The 200 Etec weighs the same as a 150.
I'm sure there are other brands with similar numbers.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

more concerned with price to tell you the truth. lol
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,313
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

What model and year Grady. They never made a "21' " that I'm aware of and used two different hull designs with very different needs.

BTW: I had a 1986 Overnighter ( 20'-6') that weighed in at #3500 plus. I had a 175 HP on it and it did OK, but 200HP would have been better.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

prolly exactly what i have, i rounded up. it was an over nighter, i am making it a center console. It has a 175 now.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

more concerned with price to tell you the truth. lol

I guess the biggest motor you can afford.Shoot for quality instead of hp.
Also take into consideration a well established servicing dealer near by.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

well what brand then? it has a 175 evinrude right now. which i will get running and most likely use. or try and sell for a larger motor.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

So what is wrong with the 175 hp ??? and were you happy with it so far ????
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

the 175 currently doesnt run. but it isnt going to take alot to make it run, compared to buying a new 175. I was just going to add a kicker but with buying a new motor and a kicker i am almost at the point that i might as well just slap another 175 in there. If i do deeide on that does the motor need to be the same year, or brand?
 

j442w30

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
264
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

the 175 currently doesnt run. but it isnt going to take alot to make it run, compared to buying a new 175. I was just going to add a kicker but with buying a new motor and a kicker i am almost at the point that i might as well just slap another 175 in there. If i do deeide on that does the motor need to be the same year, or brand?

It does not have to be the same year or brand, you can put whatever you want on it. If you do decide to change brands or get a significantly newer engine you will probably have to change the controls and electrical connections to make it all work right. If I were you I would not go any smaller than a 175, that seems like a good size for that boat, 200 would probably be better. If you do plan on adding a kicker you should buy one that uses the same fuel (ie 2 stroke/4 stroke)as your big engine so you can run it off the main tank. Thats a big decision to buy a new engine that size, lots of choices and brands to consider, good luck!
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

yea no kidding, i will prolly just try adn find another evinrude, or if i can get this one running sell it on ebay and then try adn find a 200 with a kicker. its all up in the air right now. i want the most cost effective solution. and buying a new 200 with a kicker seems to be just as expensive as buying another 175.
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

ok i am thinking of buying a johnson 175 off ebay, seems to be a good deal for 1000, now i can certainly rig the two together to steer them but, will these engines for together? would i be hurting myself by putting this 175 on the boat along with the evinrude 175?
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

i am gonna put two 175s on my boat if its worth it. if not i am gonna use the johnson.
 

Eric in NC

Cadet
Joined
Aug 3, 2007
Messages
17
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

ok i am thinking of buying a johnson 175 off ebay, seems to be a good deal for 1000, now i can certainly rig the two together to steer them but, will these engines for together? would i be hurting myself by putting this 175 on the boat along with the evinrude 175?

You need to let us know what year and model you have...but I can tell you the max HP for a '93 "rounded up to 21'" GW is 230. And that assumes a boat in perfect condition. If you put 350 hp on the back of whatever it is you have, I can suggest several things that have at least a likelihood of happening, and ain't none of them good.

You might want to also post your request for info at
http://www.greatgrady.com/forum
 

peacekeeper6

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
765
Re: how big of an outboard do i need?

Its an 80's grady white, i can renforce the transom as needed to handle the extra HP.

136_3689.jpg


0101120102000103052007071615ab4c9a7.jpg


137_3705.jpg
 
Top