Question on HP for 16' Alumacraft

[Etd]

Hello guys, new here, just asking a question for you to see what you think.

situation is I have a 16' Alumacraft Yukon from the 1960's. Side counsel with remote for the 35 HP Evinrude I have on it. For duck hunting with 3 guys and gear I find it to be just adequate. It gets on plane, and goes along, however with late season weather and the waves where I live, I would like just a little more snot under the hood so to speak. NO intention of being a speed demon by any stretch.

Max rating from the company is 50 HP. I have checked my weight on my motor and it is listed as 121. A similar 2 stroke 50 HP motor weighs between 180-190 from what I can find on the net. I called Alumacraft and they told me I could put a NEW 4 stroke 50 Hp on the back of this and be fine. Typical weights of the 4 strokes are in the 220-250# range give or take.

Now the issue. Buddy comes over, brings an old beater tri hull he is scrapping, wants to know if I want his 70 HP Johnson for FREE, let me say that again, FREE. It has the trim/tilt, controls which are not a split set like mine, and it weighs by book only 203# per manufacture. So, here I sit, debating this. I realize I am over hp, but I am UNDER the weight of the recommendation from the company. Now I realize there are insurance issues possibly, also legal. I also understand the torque issues a bit. I guess the questions I have are
1. Would you change to the FREE 70 HP motor? Why and why not?
2. I put new wood on my transom already this year as part of my maintence, exterior grade ply, total 1 1/2", spar varnish times 3 coats, then paint. Do I need more if I do upgrade? as in thicker, take it out the max of the motor mount of 2 1/4"??
3. Controls/steering are transferable, so no issues there.

I know of at least 4 other boats that are over capacity. Some of them ridiculously so, 14' narrow jon with a 50 HP four stoke on it. I am not looking to do this, just trying to get some more power, trim/tilt, and single lever controls.

Am I completely crazy or just obsessive for no reason??

Your thoughts?

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Question on HP for 16' Alumacraft

It doesn't matter if it's free or not. You boat is only legally rated for 50 HP, so it's a violation in this state (MN) anyway. End of discussion as far as I'm concerned, but on the off chance that your state views the rating as a suggestion, then I still think it's a very bad idea.

I know what an old style Yukon looks like and IMO even a 50 HP is overpowed. More importantly, I know you duck hunters and the #1 way you guys get into trouble and die is from swamping overloaded boats. More power is only going to make that situation worse, why would you want to run faster into the teeth of bad weather? If anything you need more capacity and a better rough water hull, not more power.

As you mention, I would also be concerned about your insurance if you have an accident.

If you want to move up, at least have the good sense to stay withing the rated HP capacity. Your life is worth more than a free outboard and I'm not overstating the risk here, especially if you live in the northern half of the US where duck season = cold weather and cold water. The good news here is that you don't have to worry about drowning if you swamp your duck boat here in MN after Nov 1. The hypothermia will kill you almost instantly, so no need to worry about drowning.

Grouse

 

[Etd]

Re: Question on HP for 16' Alumacraft

Grouse, thanks for your response.
I am in your neck of the woods so to speak and I know of what you say when you mention cold water.

you are expressing one of my biggest fears and why I ponder the question and even asked it here so guys like you could/would say it to me. Too many people around me say hell, no brainer, just do it.

2 comments though.
1. More power in a storm is a false economy, I know that, the issue is getting OUT before it is bad, not once. At that point, displacement speed is usually the best, which of course you know.
2. I do not overload my boat like you may see in your own neck of the woods. This is not a 4 guy, 2 dog, 10 doz decoy trip kind of thing. I have seen that and shun that for sure.

My question/issue is truly one of power. My own motor is starting to slip, ever since I ran ethanol in it about 3 years ago before I was informed of the issues that my crop up. Anyhow, I can not continue to feel safe as you express since this motor with a load, in chop, not a storm, does plow along, sometimes just not enough to keep me feeling ok. So I am looking to repower, then this motor which has more HP than listed, yet, lower weight comes available.....

Others?

 

[Etd]

Re: Question on HP for 16' Alumacraft

Grouse,

One other thought is when you look at the USCG regs for HP capacity and such when you do the calculation out you do get a max rating of 70 HP.

Just saying...