What to power her with?

[mr 88]

Forum seems a little slow so I will throw this out there.What would you put on the 67 Westy? I have a 50hp 1973 Merc inline 4. I am going to look at a 60hp 1964 sportfour Evinrude.What would look more period correct?Not sure when they year they started making the sportfour or for how long, same thing with the Merc.Trying to figure out if they would overlap the year the boat was built. Any idea on the weight difference? What would perform better. I have the blue color scheme so what would look better hanging on the back.Boat to be used primary for cruising,no fishing, skiing etc.

 

[mfgniagara]

Re: What to power her with?

I plan on hanging a 1978 55hp Johnson on mine, it's a good solid running motor and I figured that it's lower weight makes it the better choice over say a 65 or 70hp triple. Mine is already set up for an OMC so I'm sticking with it, besides, that's pretty much all I have here other than a few larger motors.
I had the 55hp on my Edinboro, which is slightly larger and it did just fine, but I came across a super clean 110 hp which I hung on it. I don't think I gained all that much in the end, just more stern weight and it's a faster out of the hole. I didn't gain a whole lot of top end. If it did, I'm not willing to push the boat that fast, 45 mph in one of these boats is plenty fast, especially if the water gets choppy.
I'd venture to guess the Westfield would get on plane just fine with a 35 or 40hp with a light load. I've got a slightly smaller Steury 415 that does just fine with a 30hp Evinrude even with two big guys onboard.
The MFG is lighter overall due to it's construction. If the 55 isn't enough, I've got a good 70hp to use, which is the max hp anyhow.
I've always been partial to the twin cylinder motors, I like to keep things real simple. A buddy is trying to talk me into hanging a motor with power tilt and trim. That idea is just fine but it's more weight and one more thing to go wrong. Besides, to be honest, I've never missed having it on any of my other small boats.

I'd probably stay away from a period motor just for reliability and parts access. The OMC engines of that era were electric shift, something that I usually stay away from. I've got a few good 55hp motors outback but the controls were always an issue when they got older.

The Merc 500 or 50hp was a good motor, just pay close attention to the wiring as most older Mercs were notorious for rotted wiring harnesses.

I considered even hanging an original Chrysler 50hp as shown in the brochure since I have a good running low hours motor here but I'd rather have a more modern engine and my transom is now already drilled for the Johnson 55hp.
If I were leaving in all the original seats and restoring this, I'd probably go with the 1966/67 Chrysler 50 but I intend to use this for river fishing and maybe some crabbing. A pair of new back to back seats and some rod holders will be on my to do list.

 

[mr 88]

Re: What to power her with?

Posted on Craigs a WTB 1960-80 Merc 50-70hp.Received 4 replys in less than 24 hours. The first one appears to be the winner.He has a 67 -650 with controls for the right price along with it being the correct year.This should be the perfect mate for her.Not overweight like the sportfour and with the black and chrome he will add the bling factor, just like a Tux.
Parts are not a issue in this part of New York as they are all over the place.I can't believe that there was negligble difference between the 55 and 110 but I will take your word as I too have no plans on going over the max hp rating.The 50 I will hang on the hunting boat, which saves me the hassle of moving it between the boats in the off seasons of each craft.

 

[mfgniagara]

Re: What to power her with?

With the 110 on the Edinboro, I never push it to WOT, it would exceed what I feel is comfortable in that boat. With the smaller 55hp, it planed faster and used far less fuel. I just felt that the larger motor would be better to get me out of trouble if the need arose. The 55 was pretty much at its maximum capability all the time. I think it's going to be about perfect on the smaller Westfield. The 55 is about half the weight too.
The addition of power tilt/trim with the 110 was also a big help in rough water. I had to clear a crab pot line once in 5' seas and hanging over the back of the boat to try and tilt the motor wasn't fun.

I just sold a super clean Merc 650, I got it at an auction a while back, it was a good motor but no power tilt, and it was far heavier than the twin or even triple OMC motors. Besides, all my boats are already drilled to take an OMC.
Besides, I felt the $750 I sold it for was better spent on something I could use right now for the boat rather sitting in the garage as an ornament on a stand. I had originally planned on hanging it on a small aluminum boat just for fun but gave up on that idea after buying my third boat. I'm up to 8 now.

On the Edinboro, I miss all the freeboard I had with the 55 on it, with the 110, the water is nearly at the splashwell with two big guys fishing off the back. It can come over the stern a bit if I don't make sure to keep all movable weight forward. A buddy has my old Edinboro, and runs a 65hp on his, and just that little bit of weight difference is enough to give it a lot more freeboard. Mine sits low in the stern with the V4, his sits level with the 65hp triple. Both boats weigh the same minus the motor and all the gear onboard.
He uses his to pull in crab pots with a winch, if I did that with mine I'd need larger drains in the splashwell. His overall freeboard is also helped by all the fuel he carries.