looking for advice. Lowe 1652 repower

[frobotz]

I bought my boat and it had a extremely underpowered 9.9 4 stroke. great motor but not for my boat. Wouldn't plane out I sold the motor today and I am on the fence for a repower. I am considering a 40 Yamaha or a 25 mercury. I intend to build a center console. (short) very soon . my boat is rated for a 35 tiller or 60 remote. just trying to keep it small and simple but want enough power to plane and run mid 20s . Anyone have one of these boats? Sorry if I posted in the wrong section but its not a brand specific question. more of a HP to weight question. I don't want to run out of freeboard but don't want to just push water with it either. Thanks.

 

[JoshOnt]

I don't own one but general rule is you want 80% of the max HP at the least.

 

[frobotz]

I don't want to go anything over 40 tops. Just want the boat safe enough to fish at night and not fear of getting swamped all the time.

 

[Keegan.MW]

25 will get u up on plane but you may be hard pressed to reach mid 20s depending on how much gear/ how heavy your boat is. If it's a bare bones Lowe 16' there should be no problem. And a 40hp will be plenty.

 

[SkaterRace]

I think the 25 is no where near enough power should the boat be loaded with gear so the 40 is a much better choice.

 

[roffey]

I believe as much power as you can afford and the boat will take. You don't have to use it but its nice to have. I cruise on my boat at 30-35 mph 99% of the time, but there has been a few times when I am at the far end of the lake and must high tail it back and the power to do so is nice. You never know when your going to run out of beer, LOL. Just kidding, we all know you can drink on a boat, don't we. :nono:

 

[arks]

I have the little brother of yours- a 1448. I realize it's not an apples-to-apples comparison, but here's what I have.
- Mine is rated for 25HP max. I use a 25 Evinrude 2 stroke. Tops out at 28 MPH solo (GPS). Handles fine.
- I built a small console, added a bow troller and G31 battery near the bow.
- As others have said, you should go for a 40HP. Just my opinion. And don't forget to add navigation lights (mine are removable).

Here's a couple shots of my rig. Feel free to plagiarize....

 

[roffey]

That looks real sharp Arks, nice job. IMHO a 25hp sounds about right and 28 mph is not bad, pretty good really.

 

[SkaterRace]

Nice build Arks, just wondering why you put that metal tube around the windshield.

 

[roffey]

bet its a roll bar....

 

[frobotz]

Grab bar. for holding onto while the vessel is underway

 

[arks]

Thanks guys. Yup, it's a grab bar over the windscreen. I originally put it there to make it easier to tarp the boat but found it also makes it possible to safely stand up when running on plane (in flat water).
Frobotz- hope my rig will give you some inspiration for yours.