Repower Triton VT17 (17' Al bass boat)

[marlinpruett]

In 2008 I purchased this boat with a 30HP Mercury 4 stroke to use on a limited HP lake.
I now have access to a boat with a 30HP (my son's) so I want to repower this boat. It is rated for 75HP.
Here are my options.
75HP Optimax, 375lbs
60 HP 4 stroke 247lbs
75 HP 4 stoke 399 lbs
I believe the 60HP and 75 Optimax might be about the same in speed performance due to weight.( Time to plane might be a little slow with the 4 stroke
I have a 5 inch jack plate on the boat.

What are recommendations?
Also does anyone know if the shift cables and wiring harness are interchangable with the 30HP and these 3 motors?
Thanks for your responses,

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Repower Triton VT17 (17' Al bass boat)

You cant beat that 75 Opti, I have several customers with them on toons and all I ever do is change impellers and gear oils..

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Repower Triton VT17 (17' Al bass boat)

I'm running a 2 cy 90 on a 17' al BB but it is rated higher than that. I get dazzling performance; I bought it used that way.

Unless you want your hat blowing off all the time, you don't need that much hp and if you really liked the 60 hp engine it will save you 100# if you think weight is an issue. But there is a lot to a 4 cycle that you avoid with the Optimax and for that reason, like Faz suggested, that may be your best choice.

Get your dealer to give you a prop swap option too so that you can get a prop to match your usage and that will go a long way to aid in your satisfaction with your purchase.

My 2c

Mark