Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

[scuba4me]

I have a 1979 Hydrosport 1700 17' boat its hull is in good shape. I currently have a 1986 140hp Evanrude on it. The boat is rated for a 140hp max. Motor is getting to the point I need to replace it. Currently top speed is 32mph and the boat seems well powered. I?m thinking about going with a new Honda 90hp.

What do you guys think about the power rating of the new 4 strokes vs my 140hp 89 Evanrude? Will I be unhappy with the power of the Honda 90hp? Will getting up on plane be hard? Should I be looking at a 125hp? The current motor is 370lbs or so and it?s got the transom close to the waterline. I would not want to go heaver and the 4 strokes are heavy. It?s hard to dump the money on the old boat but it rides so nice and solid. Can I insure just the motor?

I?m looking for suggestions or pointers for repower.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

You might not be set up right or you might have hundreds of pounds of water in the hull. Something does not sound right. Your set up could be wrong, something with the hull or with the motor or even prop. Before you spend a cent........I would strongly suggest you investigate.

The 140 is a great motor with lots of power.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

If you're only getting 32MPH with the 140 I don't think you would be happy with a 90. Consider at least a 115. I would recommend the Mercury 115 Optimax Pro XS. It's considerably underrated at 115 HP and sips fuel. The Yamaha would also be a good choice.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

I agree~~ with the Yamaha 115. Nothing less or he will be unhappy with the performance.

If you're only getting 32MPH with the 140 I don't think you would be happy with a 90. Consider at least a 115. I would recommend the Mercury 115 Optimax Pro XS. It's considerably underrated at 115 HP and sips fuel. The Yamaha would also be a good choice.

 

[roffey]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

You might not be set up right or you might have hundreds of pounds of water in the hull. Something does not sound right. Your set up could be wrong, something with the hull or with the motor or even prop. Before you spend a cent........I would strongly suggest you investigate.

The 140 is a great motor with lots of power.

I agree, a 140hp on a 17 foot boat should just fly, I would think aleast mid 40's

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

my dad's 1970s Glastron HPV175-- 17ft bassboat with 1970s 140hp Evinrude outboard would run close to 50mph.
Sounds like you have an issue with your rig. Before you purchase a new expensive motor , I would get it checked out. Could be a non firing spark plug. What is your rpm at WOT ?
good luck

 

[scuba4me]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

Thanks for all the good info guys. I know the motor is not putting out 140. The issue is with the compression on the starboard side. That’s why I’m repowering soon. Its still running fine I just know Iv put 300hrs on it an dit already had a lot of use befor I got it. What I am saying is taking that plus the shaft prop rating what would a 90 do. I think the ans. is a 115 that’s what Ill be looking at as I was tossing that around as well.

The boat might be 17' but it ways way more than a glastron. I had a glastron years ago with a much smaller motor that went 35.WOT is 5200 it has more but the prop is maxing out. The boat might have a little water in it, but from the investigation I have done so far it is not the issue. I also have a 15hp kicker on the back and an extra battery thats 125 extra pounds on the back.

I will take the advice and look further into the possible water issue. Is there that’s recommended to see if it has water in the hull? When I put the puck on the back for the sonar I looked carefully at the wood that came out from the drill. It was not soaking wet but a little damp maybe. No water came out of the holes and this is at the lowest part of the transom.

The part I can’t see is where the steeped part of the hull is. The only way I could get to that is by drilling a 1” hole in the bilge aria and put a camera in. I don’t see any way for water to get in there. There are no holes in the hull and none I can see anywhere in the bilge or the passage ways from the bow. It seems solid and the foam I can see and feel is bone dry.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

Your comments above indicate there is little chance of wet foam or rot. I'd pop a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke on her and enjoy.

 

[scuba4me]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

I’m still going to look a little closer at the possible water issue maybe drill a couple more holes even though it makes me cringe. I’ll feel better knowing for sure before putting the lipstick on the pig. I much rather go with a Yamaha but the weight of the Mercury 115 Optimax Pro XS is hard to look past because its 60# or so lighter than the 115 Yamaha. The Mercury 115 weighs the same as the 140 I have.

Do you guys know if I can insure just the new motor? Insurance will only go to $4500 for the boat. Thats another issue Im trying to figureout.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

I?m still going to look a little closer at the possible water issue maybe drill a couple more holes even though it makes me cringe. I?ll feel better knowing for sure before putting the lipstick on the pig. I much rather go with a Yamaha but the weight of the Mercury 115 Optimax Pro XS is hard to look past because its 60# or so lighter than the 115 Yamaha. The Mercury 115 weighs the same as the 140 I have.

Do you guys know if I can insure just the new motor? Insurance will only go to $4500 for the boat. Thats another issue Im trying to figureout.

I don't think you'll have any problems insuring the motor. You could check on the water intrusion by having your rig weighed.

The Mercury and Yamaha are both good motors and each have their advantages. If you're worried about max performance the Optimax will run away and hide from the Yamaha and use very little extra fuel doing it.

The Yamaha is probably a little more reliable though.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

I'm surprised that no one suggested an E-Tec. An E-Tec 115 or 130 would be about a perfect fit. Or the 115HO...

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

I'm surprised that no one suggested an E-Tec. An E-Tec 115 or 130 would be about a perfect fit. Or the 115HO...

Another good option. They perform well and are good on fuel. Seems to be less dealers for them though. His controls my work with one though saving some cash.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

Thanks for all the good info guys. I know the motor is not putting out 140. The issue is with the compression on the starboard side. That’s why I’m repowering soon. Its still running fine I just know Iv put 300hrs on it an dit already had a lot of use befor I got it. What I am saying is taking that plus the shaft prop rating what would a 90 do. I think the ans. is a 115 that’s what Ill be looking at as I was tossing that around as well.

Your 140 is prop rated and is actually putting out much more at the head. You would probably be way ahead if you just rebuilt it or even installed a 140 powerhead. Even a new motor will be prop rated for HP so....... a 115 would be 25 hp less at the prop. Look at the price of an etec 130 (great motor too) and look at a rebuild price of the 140.

 

[scuba4me]

Re: Repower questions for my Hydrosprt 1700

I have looked at the Etech almost pulled the trigger, but was talked out of it by a few guys that I think know motors well. I guess my situation is a little different, and I do keep going back to the low weight of the 2 stroke Etech ect. Etech is not off the table nor is a new used 22' that needs a repower. The stepped transom is about 6" from the waterline this has been an issue for me the whole time owning it. Some of the posts above have me thinking about possible water in the hull. The boat weight without motor or fuel is supposed to be 1700lbs.

I’m going to find a way to weigh it, going to talk to my Harbor Master and see if there is a place locally that wont charge me too much.. If the weight comes back close to 1700 Ill make up my mind from there. I have never been in a boat this size that can plow through chop and waves with the ease this one does at the speed it does it. I’m wondering if that’s due to a lot of excessive weight in the stern or if it’s just really this good of a ride. This was my third year with the boat everyone that gets in it comments on the unreal ride into choppy seas.

My local shop sells Etech and he says lots of guys are buying these old boats just for the reason they are built well and have a good ride. He recommended the Etech (thats what he sells) and has some good deals I think Ill talk with him some more.