Merc 50hp 4 stroke on this boat??

[Ruggybuggy]

Ok, I have a '98 Princecraft 14.5" boat with a beam of 73" and transom measures 70.5". Picture is an example.

The transom measure 20". The boat weight from the manufactures website is 520lbs. The boat has a full floor with livewell in front and Minkota trolling motor with battery mounted on the front with battery so the weight is probably close to 620lbs without motor. The capacity label states 35hp. The manufacturer states 35hp tiller and 40hp console steer. If I use the formula from the US Coastguards boatbuilders handbook ((0.8 X Factor)-25) I get a max horsepower of 47hp. The boat is currently running a 1998 25hp Evinrude 3 cylinder with aftermarket power tilt/trim and weight is about 168lbs. The motor I'm considering is a 2004 Merc 50hp 4 stroke and weights 248lbs. The only reason I'm considering this is because of a smoking deal of $1500 for the Merc in good condition. I know the horsepower is more then the label but I run the boat without insurance (don't need it in my location). I'm wondering about approx speed, handling issures, should I get trim tabs or hydrofoil, suggestion on prop pitch that sort of stuff.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Merc 50hp 4 stroke on this boat??

Insurance is not about whether it is required legally. It is about protecting your assets. Have an incident, regardless whose fault it is and someone else is going to own your boat unless you have some other form of personal liability insurance. And even then, your insurance company may leave you high and dry because you were operating the unit knowing it was over powered. The max HP tag is installed by the manufacturer and its rating is what it is for a reason.

 

[joey maneri]

Re: Merc 50hp 4 stroke on this boat??

Get the new motor, if its too much for the boat, get a new boat for the motor.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Merc 50hp 4 stroke on this boat??

Insurance is not about whether it is required legally. It is about protecting your assets. Have an incident, regardless whose fault it is and someone else is going to own your boat unless you have some other form of personal liability insurance. And even then, your insurance company may leave you high and dry because you were operating the unit knowing it was over powered. The max HP tag is installed by the manufacturer and its rating is what it is for a reason.

If I wanted to I could get insurance for the overpowered boat. My boat last year was a 2005 Princecraft Pro 164 that had a horsepower rating of 70hp and I put a Yamaha F100 4 stroke on it. The insurance company knew that I overpowered it and still insured it and the new owner never had any problems.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Re: Merc 50hp 4 stroke on this boat??

Get the new motor, if its too much for the boat, get a new boat for the motor.

I like the way you think but if I did that my wife would have my $&?? in a vise!