Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

[atengnr]

Hello, Im considering purchasing the Glastron 17 and want to use my 1968 55hp Johnson (I like the motor and had it completely rebuilt last fall). My question is, is this boat too heavy for the motor? Boat is 1200 lbs.

Note that I am not looking for speed, but wouldnt mind being able to pull a skier once in a while. I typically go boating to cruise around, swim, explore, etc not in it for performance other than to pull a skier once in a great while....

So, can I get on a plane reasonably with this motor and get to perhaps 23-25 mph?

Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

possibly. depending on what glastron hull it is. if tri hull bow rider, don't count on it. 55 would do better on a 15 footer. 17 Glastron, i would expect to see a 115 on it.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

possibly. depending on what glastron hull it is. if tri hull bow rider, don't count on it. 55 would do better on a 15 footer. 17 Glastron, i would expect to see a 115 on it.

Thanks for the reply. It is a 2009, not a trihull, just a regular v-hull.

 

[chicknwing]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

I have a 16.5 foot glastron deep-vee with a 125 on it and see about 42 mph.

TC

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

i would suggest a lighter boat, 600-800 lbs at the most, aluminum comes to mind, you may as well use the motor, i hate to tell you it probably is not worth on the market, what you put into it to rebuild it.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

i would suggest a lighter boat, 600-800 lbs at the most, aluminum comes to mind, you may as well use the motor, i hate to tell you it probably is not worth on the market, what you put into it to rebuild it.

Thanks. Yes, I have no doubt that it is not worth 20% of what I put in it! But then again, I see this as a hobby and nothing else. I put the money in assuming Ill never see any of it back.

Any suggestions on boat manufacturers that make boats of this size? Thye seem rather difficult to find. Ive looked at lowe and lund.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

You're going to do best with a boat about the same vintage as that outboard. I know that the Glastron V145 had a 50hp rating. That's a trihull, but...

If you find 15 to 16 foot boats of that era, you'll find that most of them will perform well with 55 hp.

There are many aluminum boats, too, that will perform well with your outboard, but they're more utilitarian than exciting, and most are designed for fishing, not cruising around.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

this one is 840lbs, max hp 75. http://www.lundboats.com/1775classic_2008.html

 

[atengnr]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

this one is 840lbs, max hp 75. http://www.lundboats.com/1775classic_2008.html

I need this to fit in a 19.5 ft garage. Perhaps the 16.25 ft boat?

The trouble is these boats dont seem very non-fishing friendly. Swimming, cruising, etc.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

there are many older used aluminum boats that will fit your needs. watch craigslist.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

Wow, a question for which I can actually offer some potentially useful information....
I have a 15 foot Orlando Clipper Aluminum runabout that for 30+ years had a 1968 55HP Johnson....the Triumph.
That pairing was as close to the perfect combo as I can imagine. It would turn 38-40 MPH and get there in about 35 feet. The boat on plane draws about 6" of water and leaves a wake not much mopre than that.
There are still Clippers that turn up on CL and other used boat sites....if you can track down one of those you would love it.

 

[atengnr]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

Thanks for all the replies. I would like to buy new and I want a boat that is more useable for recreation - cruising, swimming, etc. Those aluminum fishing boats dont look very swimmer/recreation friendly.

So, could someone take a guess on how the 55 would perform with a the Glastron SSV17 (1200lbs)? If it would plane in a reasonable time and could get to about 25 mph, Id be more than happy.

Thanks alot.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

If the boat is rated for a max of 75 hp, the 55 should plane it out just fine, and 25mph is reasonable to expect. Load it heavily, though, and it may mush around for awhile before getting on plane. Loaded lightly, and it'll probably do closer to 30 mph.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Question About Johnson 55HP and Glastron 17

So, could someone take a guess on how the 55 would perform with a the Glastron SSV17 (1200lbs)? like a barge.

you are looking for something new is going to be hard to find. but keep looking, boat shows, but to do what you want, you are going to have to go aluminum.

there is a rule of thumb, on horse power. take the rated hp for the boat, multiply by 70%, that figure is the absolute lowest hp you can use on that boat, and expect any type of decent performance out of the boat.

also the 1968 hp was rated at the power head, so compared to the now rated at the prop motors, the 55hp is probably equivalent to a 48 Hp motor.

you need to hunt something more like this, but an outboard, and in the 16 ft range. Ebay Item number: 120386710274