What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

[woodytwo]

I'm looking for a used 16 to 17 ft aluminum f & S boat. Alumamcraft, Smokercraft, Lund, Etc. Would be used for 75% fishing and cruising with my wife and the rest with the grandkids. (small to larger lakes 1 miles across, 7 miles long. Not Great Lakes.) I have seen outboards from 50 to 150 hp. Is there an ideal size? Not owning a boat of this size, I thought that 60 to 90 hp would handle most situations. I don't want to fly so am thinking anything over 90 hp would be a waste both in $ and gas. Let's hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

It all depends on what the plate on the boat transom says.
Personally I like Max HP. Don't have to use it, but the power is there when you do need it. MY .02

 

[Solittle]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

60-90 would work just fine.

Oh and WELCOME!!

 

[sublauxation]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

For comparison, I have an 18 ft aluminum Sylvan rated for a 130. I have a 90 on back and it does just fine. Great on fuel, can tow a 200+ lb skier with no problem, does 44 mph with 2 people, and it weights a lot less than a 130 hp would. All in all I'm glad I didn't go bigger.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

18' Starcraft Supersport aluminum, rated for 140. 900# hull, 1700-1900 loaded with 2 adults 2 kids, motor and fuel..
Will plane and cruise with a 65, 28 mph, but slow to plane.
Will perform very well with a 100-115, 40 mph, and have the power to pull 3-4 kids on skis, or 2 adults on skis, or 2 tubes.

With a 140, I imagine you could pull huge tubes and a couple slalom skiers.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

The rule is you want to have an engine that is no less than 70% of rated power so it depends on what boat you get since not all boats are rated for the same power, I have an older 16' Sea-Nymph that is rated for 70 and I have a 50 on it and get 30mph.

 

[woodytwo]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

Thanks folks for your info. Much appreciated and most helpful.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

As big as the BIA cert. plate allows. Course if you downsize from that, your insurance agent will smile for you....i.e. reduced premium. BTDT

Mark

 

[bonz_d]

Re: What size motor for 17 ft Lund Fish and Ski

In reality you can but anything you want on it up to the max capacity as long as it's proped accordingly. Then the question becomes performance.

For instance, you could put a 20hp on it and prop it with a large diameter low pitched prop and idle it around all day. Would it plane out? No! Will it move the boat? Yes.

Generally as said stay within 30% of the max hp and it will be good to go. IF 68hp is 30% dropping to a 60-65hp isn't going to make much of a differeance.