Is the motor to big for the boat?

[Cleatus61]

I have a 2006 Tracker Pro V16. I am upgrading the motor on my boat from a Mercury 40 hp EFI to a 75 hp Optimax. The difference in weight is 159lbs. The boat is rated for a 75 hp, so that's not a problem. My concern is that the 75 is to heavy for the boat. I read somewhere that a 75 on that boat is too heavy and the drain holes for the transom compartment are under water or very close to the water line. When the transom compartment fills, the water leaks in through the access cover for the bilge pump. Anybody have any input on my dilemma.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

That 159 pounds is equivalent to one smallish person standing where the motor is mounted which if running on plane where the bow is up somewhat, could be a problem.

When not on plane you could bow-load gear up there to offset some of the weight if there is room but if you have coolers-livewells near the stern and those get filled with water or fish, you could have an issue again.

Have you called Tracker yet to see what they might have to say?

Mark

 

[brnschoneck]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

i have a 78 bumblebee with a 650 merc and its close water does leak in a bit if im going slow the holes are generally too close anyway if u ask me ... however i just make sure bilge is working before i go out !!mine seems like it leaks a lil through the bilge hole on side not from transome whole srry shoulda been more specific i feel the motr is too heavy but im notcomplaining gotta good deal on the boat so i have to investigate more only had it out a few times n noticed it ...

 

[jestor68]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

Are you talking about the drain holes for the transom splash well? Why should water leak into the bilge pump from the transom splash well? Isn't the bilge pump outlet on the side of the boat? Water in the splash well shouldn't get into the boat. If the access cover leaks, fix it.

All of the current model V-16's(except the smallest one) are rated for 90 hp.

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

Seems like a big motor for that boat. i had a merc 40hp 2 stroke on a tracker v17 and it pushed it fine. i would think a 50 or 60hp would certainly be plenty. The tracker i had did not have a bilge access hatch in the splashwell, so i dont really know what to tell you. How close was the water line to the splashwell drains with the 40hp on there?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

If the boat is rated for a 75hp the you are legally within the limit and the boat should be able to support it. You already understand that adding that weight will increase the draft of the boat while at rest or travelling at a slow speed. Even more noticable while in reverse!

My new project boat is a 16' Alumacraft Classic 16. It is rated for a 70hp and came with a 70hp 3 cylinder that is damaged. That engine has been replaced by a 50hp 2 cylinder which is also about 100lbs ligher. I also feel that at 70hp that hull is over powered and that I wont see a big drop in performance by going to the lighter 50hp. And when fishing rock bars even 1'" reduction in draft can make a big difference in safety.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

I replaced a 60 merc 2 stroke with a 90 honda 4 stroke on dad's 18.5 aluminum tracker ... to offset the weight I put all 3 batts and the onboard charger in the front storage compartment under the casting deck and rewired the boat (was also installing a LOT of other goodies at the same time

After some testing dad decided that it was just a little too much in front so I moved the start batt back to the rear and he keeps the anchors in the back too... It's just perfect now and if he has another guy fishing in the back he can put the anchors in the front.


I suggest that you consider doing the same... btw... moving 50 lbs from the back to the front offsets almost 100 lbs added to the rear. so 2 batts moved forward and you should be gtg

 

[bkopp85]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

I have a 98 tracker pro angler v-16 with a 96 60hp bigfoot. When I have a pretty good amount of people and a full rear live well as well as a decent amount of fuel, my splashwell drains are barely above the water level. in reverse the splash well fills with water. Its not a big deal as soon as I go back forward the water just drains though the two holes in the transom, the same place it came in through. It's probably not supposed to come through those holes but it doesn't hurt anything. The splashwell is sealed on mine anyway. With a heavy load if I reverse fast I can put water over the rear deck. Even then it doesn't even begin to sink the boat. I just kick the pump on going forward and send it back where it came from. the amount that comes over is maybe a gallon or two.

My tracker is also rated at 75hp

 

[brnschoneck]

Re: Is the motor to big for the boat?

srry i beleive it leaking in through the side hole for builge as water splashes up at slow speeds ... not sure just got it end of last yr.. i have to investigate it further ...it doesnt leak through transom drain hole srrry bout that !!! i feel motor is to heavy but its rated for 70 hp ...