Picking the write motor

[imported_Big_Mike]

Hello,<br /><br />I was wondering if you all could help me pick the write motor for my fishing boat.<br /><br />I have a 1999 15’ Mirrocraft model #1568 with a 1992 (I believe) 40hp Mariner 4 cylinder oil injected with power trim (and it’s a tiller)<br /><br />I bought the boat new and put that used motor on it <br /><br />Now I have wondered about this motor for some time as my friend has a 25hp merc and when we would go across the lake he would pretty much keep up (now I have herd you should notice a big difference between 40 and a 25hp) just never seemed to run write and I have taken it in several times I have had some problems with the propellers and the water stream even though the water never got real hot but it sometimes would just trickle out the hole and I did try to put a wire up there top see if something was blocking that way ..<br />Any way yesterday I went out and the motor has no power I mean by my self I could not even come close on getting it up on plain (o ya and it has been leaking oil out the exhaust and when we changed the spark plugs 2 cylinders where totally fouled out) Now it still sounds good when it runs but just no power. My mechanic says it could be a few different things but they are all expensive to fix …so I think I might just get a new 4stroke motor <br />Now this is where my question comes in with the boat I have, say a 25 or a 30 hp push that boat good I mean would I notice a huge difference in speed and power going from a 40hp to say a 25 or 30 4 stroke and if so what kind of speed difference would I be looking at (rough guess I no every boat and motor combo can be different) <br /><br />And with a 25hp 4stroke would I have trouble getting to plain out. I’m a pretty big guy and I fish with me and one other person a lot sometime me and two others .<br /><br />Any info/suggestions/ideas I would sure be great full<br />Thank you,<br />Mike

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Picking the write motor

Welcome aboard Big Mike.<br /><br />Locate the Max. Horsepower/Weight placard on your boat. That will give you a good idea of the best engine size for your needs. <br /><br />Good luck.

 

[imported_Big_Mike]

Re: Picking the write motor

Thank you gald to be aboard,<br /><br />My max is a 40hp and that is what I would like to get but $ also plays in on this I could proble get a 40hp 2 cyl but a 4 stroke would be over my spending limit.But if a 25 or a 30 would be a huge differnce in performance then a 40 then i guess i will have to bite the bullet and get a 40 ....but when i saw how well my freinds boat and his 25 did compared to my boat and a 40 i mean he kept up with me the hole time I thought i might get buy with a 25 but woiuld like to see what you all think sence you have probley more experience with differnt size motors then me (but my motor might have not been up to speed the hole time i owend it)

 

[Mercury140-I6]

Re: Picking the write motor

My thoughts on how much hp to put on a boat is, what ever the Max Recommended HP says, and if I can, maybe a little over that. But at a minimum I would put the max on the boat. Just my feelings and just because you have 40hp, doesn't mean that you have to use all 40 of it, but if for some reason, you have to get back to the dock in a hurry and you went with the 25 or 30, I guarentee that you will be soo pissed that you didn't get the 40hp. Along with that, a bigger motor will usually last longer cause you don't have to push it as hard as if you have a smaller motor.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=13004&sort=7&thecat=500&password= <br /><br />Craig

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Picking the write motor

I think I can tell from reading your posts that you would not be happy with anything less than the Max 40hp.<br /><br />Bite the bullet and get the 4 stroke. You'll be glade you did.

 

[imported_Big_Mike]

Re: Picking the write motor

Ya I realy whant a 40hp but my wife/pocket book is telling me otherwise <br />Does anyone know what the rough speed/performance would be between a 30 hp and a 40 ? <br />And what motor would you recomend i will get a 4 stroke is honda better then merc or is evenrude better then both .....Allso does anyone know of website tat would brake down the speed and performace on these motors if i new that a 40 hp push my boat at 30 miles a hour and a 30hp did say 20 ish i could make my desion better .....I woudl liek to get the 40hp and you are write old Jarhead I would be disipointed but if its not a huge differnce then i might beable to live with alittle smaller motor <br />Thank you all for the info<br />Mike

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Picking the write motor

The thing is that the difference between a 30 and 40HP engine is not just a little. 10HP (25%) is quite a jump or, more to the point, quite a loss of power.<br /><br />Having said that let me state that as a rule of thumb I've always tried to go with the best I could comfortably afford. If the 40 horse is going to put you in a bind then go with an engine that won't break the bank. <br /><br />Good luck...

 

[youngboater]

Re: Picking the write motor

I agree with jarhead. If you don't mind the power loss and it fits your budget go for it.

 

[imported_Big_Mike]

Re: Picking the write motor

Thank you guys for your thoughts and info ...Time to sweet talk the wife and see whats happens