How much HP do i need....

[Taylorsville]

I have a 1972 hydroswift 18' with a 125 hp johnson on it. If i want to upgrade to a newer motor how much Hourse Power do i need. It will be only to get on and off the lake when not using my trolling motor.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How much HP do i need....

It sounds like what you have should be plenty.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: How much HP do i need....

Without knowing your exact boat and if you're looking for the cheapest, smallest HP that will be useable I would say a 50 HP might be enough to get you around till you use your trolling motor.

But lower hp does not always equal lower price unless you're talking BRAND NEW or close to new.

Sometimes the older used smaller hp motors go for more than the larger hp's.

I've seen older 75-140 HP motors sell for less than 9.9-25 HP's especially if you're in an area with a lot of HP limit lakes.

But like I said, without knowing your exact boat, I don't think I'd go with less than a 50.

Just my opinions.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: How much HP do i need....

Then again, I don't think I've ever seen anyone complain about too much Hp, as long as you stay within the limit on your rating plate, assuming cost is not the biggest factor.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: How much HP do i need....

I have seen plenty of 150-175 motors on 18' fiberglass boats...you need to check your transom for rot/cracking..it is a common problem in old boats.

 

[Taylorsville]

Re: How much HP do i need....

Has no rots or craks. The motor runs now i just want to plan ahead. if i could go around the 100 hp rang that would be fine. I just want to be able to get off the lake in a fast enough speed in case of a storm or somthing like that.

 

[SparkieBoat]

Re: How much HP do i need....

well whats your speed with the 125??? and what speed do you want?? as earlier mentioned the price will be about the same for a 85-115 or a 150-175 good condition used motor.. a 115 will be a lighter motor with close to the same HP..A 150/175 would weigh close to the same as your 125 and provide much more HP and speed potential..I would think a 50 would be way too small..I had a 50 on a 14' tri hull once and it was slow..maybe 28 mph unloaded, with the wind to my back.

 

[Wishiniwuzfishin]

Re: How much HP do i need....

I got the impression he was looking for the cheapest motor he could get by with just to push the boat. Maybe I assumed wrong.

If he is going 40 miles out in the ocean and wants to be able to get home quick, forget the 50.

If you want the cheapest motor and still get good performance I'd say at least 90 but I'd go with the max it's rated for, if price is no object.

If you're on an inland lake just moving around between fishing spots AND price is important, I still say a 50 would work on a vee, unless it's an extremely heavy boat or you have a 1500 lb load, but you ain't gonna go zoom-zoom with it.

Just my opinions....and you know what they say about opinions. LOL

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: How much HP do i need....

I think the cheapest thing to do, is put the wallet back in your rear pocket and just use what you have. LOL If the boat and motor are in good running shape, why mess with it? If it runs, use it till it dies.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: How much HP do i need....

I think the cheapest thing to do, is put the wallet back in your rear pocket and just use what you have. LOL If the boat and motor are in good running shape, why mess with it? If it runs, use it till it dies.

That's what I was gonna say. It's a lotta work to change an engine and controls. If it's running fine I'd leave it.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: How much HP do i need....

And if it is NOT running fine then de3scribe what it is/is not doing and we can help guide you to figure out what is wrong.

It may be cheaper to keep her, figure out what it is, estimate the cost to repair so you have better information to compare repairs versus replacement.

 

[Taylorsville]

Re: How much HP do i need....

You are right use what i have and have fun using it.

 

[torbjorn]

Re: How much HP do i need....

Well, how fast are you going now and how fast do you want to go?
without that the question is ill-defined.