Whatcha think?

[Dellonn]

Hey guys, <br /><br />I recently found a good deal on a 150horse 6 cyl Mercury. An oldie, but runs strong. My question is. Would I sink myself if I put this chunk of weight on the transom of my 16' 1976 Fiberglass semi-v bow rider that currently has a 48 Johnson? I want more power, I know in the old days we did some extreme things, but is this in the realm of possibility? My neighbor has a 14' tri-hull with a 120 merc on it, so i'm thinking it's not too much of a stretch.<br /><br /><br />Dellonn<br /><br /><br />*edit* Sorry, probably wrong forum heading, but you guys have always been so helpful

 

[TTravis]

Re: Whatcha think?

You should have a US Coast Guard tag that tells you the maximum size motor that the moat is rated for. You do not want to exceel this limit because of insuracne and liability, not to mention safety.

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Whatcha think?

No tag on boat, manufacture no longer in existence. No insurance required in FL.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Whatcha think?

Maybe you can find a <br />Johnson V8.Ought to really make it go.<br /><br />Seriously reread your post.Do you really have to ask if your boat can handle this ?<br /><br />just my opinion.<br /><br />DHP<br /><br />and NO .... I won't put my family in your neighbors boat either.

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Whatcha think?

Well, thanks for the advice, i decided not to follow it. Just came back from a quick run up the lake and back in neighbors boat, and while it was a little touchy at WOT, it was controllable. And to the best of my knowledge, his 125 Merc weighs the same as my 150. However, my boat is far larger, having a much deeper hull, 2' longer and at least 18" wider. I'm nearly certain i'll be okay. Just because my Hayabusa goes 186mph doesn't mean i have to drive it 186mph. Wish me luck<br /><br />Dellonn

 

[Solittle]

Re: Whatcha think?

Make sure you wear a PFD and carry life insurance for your family.

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Whatcha think?

...trying to think which is safer, 21' checkmate with 275hsp at 70mph, or this 16' puddle jumper with a 150hsp cruising dead river run at NO WAKE. My original question wasn't "is it safe at mach 2" my question was "will it sink" or is it too much weight on the transom that i'll swamp it when i throttle down. I'm trying to power a project boat (as cheaply as possible) for tooling around our numerous channels in Lake County, not yank 10 skiiers out of their boots.

 

[JB]

Re: Whatcha think?

Outboard Non-repair topic.<br /><br />Though I did consider Stupid Human Tricks.

 

[nimmor]

Re: Whatcha think?

The coast gurd uses the formula (beam x length x 2-90) to determine the maxium H.P. There are other things they also test to put the number on the plate but this will give you a base ideal for maxium H.P. for your boat.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Whatcha think?

Originally posted by Dellonn:<br /> No tag on boat, manufacture no longer in existence. No insurance required in FL.

Not having liability insurance because it's not required is the ultimate irresponsibility.

 

[BillP]

Re: Whatcha think?

What brand boat? It totally depends on the boat whether the motor is too big. You can add weight aft with the 48hp to see if that sinks the boat. Running fast is the only way to test high speed problems.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Whatcha think?

I like JB's suggestion that was classic!

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Whatcha think?

Well, as far as insurance goes. I've had a boat for most of the 20 years of my adult hood here in FL, be it PWC, my 28' Chris Craft, Little runabouts, whatever. In all that time, (for many years every recreational hour) spent on the water, i've never been in a boat accident. PERIOD! Not even a bump. So...Lets do the math. $300.00 a year for 20 years. I'll risk it. If I do have an "at fault" accident, doubtful damages will exceed $6000.00 and if they do, i'll bite the bullet and pay the piper.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Whatcha think?

Injure or kill one person, or cause an accident that creates an environmental mishap, and the damages will be nearer to a million than 6000.<br /><br />Heck, just hiring a good lawyer when someone sues you will cost more than 6000.

 

[khc1970]

Re: Whatcha think?

Luckily I'm from England.,......

 

[BillP]

Re: Whatcha think?

Yeah, but, but, but you are going from an ultra reliable OMC 48 to an old merc! IMHO...this is a case of the tortise beating the hare concerning reliability. Old merc...naw, don't do it. <br /><br />$6000 won't even cover the atty's retainer if a serious accident happens.

 

[Nos4r2]

Re: Whatcha think?

Hey do you think he's trying to build one of those hydro-foam boats? <br /><br />Stern goes down, bow goes up...it'll never fly!

 

[Solittle]

Re: Whatcha think?

Dellon - I hope you never have any kind of an accident - sincerely.<br /><br />Your attitude does bother me though. If we are both out on the water and you run into me causing injury or death to me and/or my family plus damage to my boat your flip statement of being willing to pay $6,000 to pay the piper is exactly why insurance rates are what they are besides being fundamently wrong. I hope you don't really mean what you wrote.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Whatcha think?

i'll skip the lectures and let the old guys deal with it. the idea of keeping the old engine on it and weighting the stern is a good test. see what happens, very easy to do. if it seems ok, go for it. plenty of fast boats out there. from the 38' fountain with 1000hp to the 20' bass rocket with a 275 verado. but don't think your boat will handle it because these boats do. boat needs to be designed for it, and i'm guessing your boat can't. if you hang it on it, go slow and see what happens. you'll probably take it off but who knows. thought about fuel burn?

 

[Dellonn]

Re: Whatcha think?

Hey guys:<br /><br />Just an update. Boat runs fine with the 150 on it. I've had it at 50, still plenty of throttle, but I gotta admit, that's plenty fast enough. 30ish suits me fine. Well, time to work on the rest of the boat. New seats, new gauges, etc.<br /><br />Dellonn