What size Outboard should I be looking for?

[murrayfish]

The boat is a 1962 SaberCraft, Commander 19. The boat is 18'-4" and from what little I can find about it its 1500lbs or so.
At this time it has a Mercury 1400 140hp on it. It needs all new wiring (boat and motor) so i was looking at buying something that running... It is not the original motor and I think it looks to big for the boat. I will never need to go fast or pull a skier, maybe a tube but thats it.

So, any ideas on how to choose a motor size? Here is a couple pictures of the boat. The motor wiring can be found here on iboats.com but the wiring for the controls I cant seem to find anywhere.

 

[boobie]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?

What's the boat rated for horse power wise ??

 

[Chris1956]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?

That looks a lot like the boat that OMC drove across the ocean to prove the reliability of their 1958 V4 motor. So put 2 Fat-Fiftys on it, and bring a barge-load of fuel.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?

What's the boat rated for horse power wise ??

Did manufacturers even put capacity plates on boats in 1962?

Off the top of my head a 140 on that sized boat sounds reasonable. I personally like to go fast and go for the largest engine a boat will take, but if you want to go smaller than a 140 I'd guess that a 115 would work ok on that size of a boat. Just as a comparison (and realize it's a totally different type of hull) my boat is 18 1/2 feet and I have a 175 on it.

 

[murrayfish]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?

Did manufacturers even put capacity plates on boats in 1962?

If they did its gone. If there was a plate I would not be asking

 

[limitout]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?

in those years I don't think they made outboards bigger then 100hp so 100-125hp sounds just right for that boat

that little 7 1/2hp kicker is marginal at best and I would replace it with a 15hp if it became necessary, personally unless im going offshore I don't even use kicker motors because by the time you need them they often dont even run from sitting unused so long. I just always felt if I needed to rely on a second engine then just put twin motors on the boat but leave the kicker engines for the sail boats or those spending time far offshore.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?



I see it also has a hydro-foil which might indicate that it has trouble getting on plane. With a console mounted steering, the cuddy, and a 20 inch transom I think it should be able to carry a 150. Given the hull weight and size, I would NOT go less than 140.

It is always better to have more power than needed for your use and not use it than to have too little power and need more.

This is my 21 foot cuddy. She weighs 1600 bare. Over 20 feet does not require a horsepower capacity but she is factory rated for 180. I used to have a 140 on her but recently upgraded to a 150. If I find a cheap 175 or 180, that will go on her.

 

[82rude]

Re: What size Outboard should I be looking for?

murryfish if you haven't already check here Sabre Craft - Classic Boat Library it does show the 1965 commander rated for 150 hp .for 62 its just blank.im with frank for sure, 150hp or bust ,lol.seriously, id keep it at 120 hp or above .p.s. love the lines of the old gal.