Is 70hp enough?

[kingtut512]

I have a 1973 17' Bayliner Discovery. I bought it as a project boat for this coming summer so it's not in the best shape. It used to have a 1974 135hp Evinrude outboard on it (maximum rating is 140hp). Unfortunately the block was cracked so I had to scrap it.

I live in Nevada (a big barren dessert) so boat engines are kind of hard to come by. I did however manage to pick up a 1979 70hp Mercury that I want to put on it.

My question is will 70hp enough? I want to be able to put 5-6 people on the boat and maybe tow a tube. I don't know much about boats so any info would help.

 

[Spivy30]

Re: Is 70hp enough?

It all depends on what you will use the boat for.

 

[glengold]

Re: Is 70hp enough?

I'd imagine you could load the boat about half what you could with the 135 right?? how did the 135 run?? I'm not sure about your boat, but a 17' with a 135 seems like a lot of motor. If you were happy with the boat running it with a motor near max rating, I think you should repower with a motor near max rating...

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Is 70hp enough?

no.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Is 70hp enough?

Six people in a 17' fiberglass boat? 70 hp isn't gonna do much for you.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Is 70hp enough?

The rule of thumb is 70% of rated power so a 90ish would be minimun to have it perform well but since all you can find is the 70 I geuss you go with that.

It will get you on the water and moving alright but don't expect to ski or anything adn after running twice that power I think it will be pretty disapointing.