What size, how much?

[f4igrad]

I have a 14 foot tri-hull boat and I want to put an engine on it. I am wondering what size engine would be good for a boat of this size, and how much I can expect to pay for a reliable, used engine.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What size, how much?

What brand and year? What does the rating plate say?(no plate?)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size, how much?

i've been following your post. if your are going to replace the existing engine, go with the highest HP that the boat is rated for. you never hear anyone complain, they have too much power. do not go higher as it becomes a huge liability problem if there is ever an accident.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: What size, how much?

hello<br />it is a 1975 Thundercraft Tri-hull, currently has an 85 hp motor mounted to it but I don't know if this engine has ever run on the boat. The boat is very light, I can practically pick it up off of the trailer by myself. It does not have a plate on it or any indication about the maximum HP. I am currently investigating a 35 hp Evinrude outboard that is in excellent condition. The boat is for my fiancee and I and our 2 dogs, we want to enjoy the lake, do some fishing, and maybe pull a skier every once in a while. We are on a SERIOUS budget, so these newer 85 hp engines are just way too far out of our price range.<br /><br />The guy selling the Evinrude engine says that it pushes his 21 foot pontoon boat at 22 mph, indicated on his GPS. I figure it would have to push the tri-hull quite a bit faster.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What size, how much?

I'd say if you can pick it up, 55 hp is probably close to max it can handle safely. My buddy has a similar boat and is using a 55 Evinrude. His family pulls a tube and does ski with it. 35 really isn't enough for skiing unless it's just for small adults and kids.<br /><br />I had a 30 hp Johnson on a 16ft aluminum boat. It went about 30 mph loaded very lightly...and about 25 mph with a moderate load. It was fine for pulling a one person tube ...one driver and one spotter up front.

 

[JB]

Re: What size, how much?

"you never hear anyone complain, they have too much power."<br /><br />I hear it all the time, but they put it another way, Daddy. They complain that they use too much fuel. An important topic today.<br /><br />A carbed 2 stroke 85 would need a 30+ gallon tank for a day on the water. That is gonna run well over $100 by the time you add the oil.<br /><br />A 4 stroke or DFI 70 would use less than half that, and the 4 stroke wouldn't require the oil.<br /><br />I think the phrase, "very tight budget" calls for a smaller, more efficient engine.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: What size, how much?

we just want to get out and enjoy the lake that we live across the street from. looks like i have a crack in the hull as well that i am going to have to look into, so we just want to be economical when we get an engine. will the 35 be way too underpowered for this boat? The 35 hp engine is one of the late 1950s Evinrude engines, a 58 or a 59 I believe.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: What size, how much?

You want to put a 50 year old engine on this boat? Ok, for you out there who say they are reliable, maybe so. I'd tend to think that a 35 of vintage era is more like a 25-30 today anyway.<br /><br />Good luck with it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size, how much?

if you think you have a cracked hull. found picture on the other post.

 

[steelespike]

Re: What size, how much?

Your 35 should be ok but sking will be tough.<br /> As far as being reliable age doesn't enter into it.Any well cared for motor will perform well.<br /> As far as being less hp than its rating compared to prop rated motors it is more like 33 at the prop instead of 35.Difficult to tell the difference.It will be more thirsty than say a 1970s or 80s motor but if you can throttle back and still maintain planing speed it may not be too bad.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: What size, how much?

If I were in your position, I would try to find a 40 hp, 1964 or later. These use the 50:1 fuelil mix rather than the 24:1 of 1958-59 - less smoke. They, along with the late 50's engines, are referred to as big twins and share some parts/features. Very reliable motors when cared for properly.<br /><br />These guys say that you can't really ski behind a 35 obviously weren't around when I learned to ski and 35 was about the biggest, baddest thing on the lake. At 200 lb. I could come out of the water on slalom.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size, how much?

we still ski with a 1955 15hp rude, on a light 14' aluminum semi v. we do it just for kicks. you should see the looks of the people running those $20,000 up ski boats. it can be a little freaky driving, as the skier has to cooperate when going into a turn. you actually keep the wheel straight, and the skier can turn the boat..

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What size, how much?

Hahahaha...got to try that with my 15! Do you have to start from shore standing up?

 

[ricksrster]

Re: What size, how much?

Look under your consoles for that plate for max weight and hp. I have an 85 hp on my 16'4" tri-hull. It rated at 140 hp max. different manufacturers have different ratings. My 85 hp will move myboat between 28 and 30 mph.

 

[steelespike]

Re: What size, how much?

We used to ski with a 25 on a beefy Lonstar 15ft utility.We had an adult friend that weighed 95 lbs soaking wet so she made a great spotter.Kids were easy with 2 skis, at 180 lbs I could get up too, but it was tough.Slolom was a impossible.We used to get 2 adults up behind a 1936 Chris Craft with a 45 hp 4 cylinder motor.Water start<br />and a lot of patience.

 

[f4igrad]

Re: What size, how much?

well i think i have taken care of the crack in my hull. if the boat passes the float test on tuesday I will start actively seeking a cheap but running engine so I can go enjoy the lake. thanks for the advice (and the stories )

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What size, how much?

we do a deep water start with a pair of ski's that are 50 years old, about 9" wide and 6' long. there is a lot of surface to get up with. these are the ski's we all learned on.