Will it Plane?

[AJ168]

My Dad and I recently bought an aluminum 18 foot center console. It had a 55 hp on it but after the cost for repairs would be many more times the value of the engine, we are going to repower. Our mechanic has an older Johnson 28 SPL. This isn't a very heavy boat and I don't need it to be a rocket, but will the boat plane with the 28? If not, it'd be an awfully long ride to where we fish as it's about 8 miles away.

 

[RatFish]

Re: Will it Plane?

I wouldn't do it. I never heard anybody complain about too much hp. I would repower with at least 75% to 80% of maximun rated hp for the boat. Check out whats for sale here on iboats.

 

[AJ168]

Re: Will it Plane?

Here's the thing. The mechanic is doing it for $500. Motor, installation, and controls. And right now my Dad is giving me two choices on it. Get this 28 on it or tell the mechanic not to do it and sell it. But it took me 4 years to find this boat.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Will it Plane?

Maybe you could get you dad to kick in the 500 towards a larger motor and you work to pay the difference?

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Will it Plane?

Impossible to say for certain but the 28 sounds REAL small for a boat of that size. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed. Best leave early for that fishing spot, its going to take awhile to get there.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Will it Plane?

Could you try out the 28 and see for yourself? If you do make sure that the load for the trial run is typical of what you plan to carry.

 

[swist]

Re: Will it Plane?

No it won't plane. Well maybe with no one in it.

 

[AJ168]

Re: Will it Plane?

It is a pretty light boat. There's nothing to it, just a console. And it's all aluminum. I don't know about trying it out, because the mechanic was supposed to have it done 2 and a half weeks ago and it's still sitting in my driveway. I'm almost ready to tell him to forget it, sell the boat and look for anothter.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Will it Plane?

Originally posted by AJ168:<br /> I'm almost ready to tell him to forget it, sell the boat and look for anothter.

Now youre talking!!<br /><br />My dad when I was a kid had an 18' {heavier boat], with a 40 HP Lark, It used so much gas we couldnt afford to use it back then. Had to run it WOT everywhere we whet to keep it on plane. Outboards use about twice the fuel when operating under WOT conditions than at 2/3-3/4 throttle.

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Will it Plane?

Don't do it. The engine is too small and you will be disappointed. Additionally, being a used engine, it may not even be putting out 28hp any more.<br /><br />1) Save a little more money and buy a good used engine.<br /><br />or<br /> <br />2) Look for someone selling a used boat where the engine and probably the trailer is good, but the boat is garbage. Often, these sellers don't realize that the engine is worth more than what they are selling the boat/motor/trailer for.

 

[AJ168]

Re: Will it Plane?

I actually just tried to get him to take me to look into a 40 yesterday. Absolutely refused. Too bad. '96 Johnson commercial for $600. Probably would've been much happier with that.

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Will it Plane?

My friend has a 17ft aluminum bass boat with a 60 on it. Tops out at about 30-35. 1/2 the power might get it to plane with a light load but not much more. <br /><br />You're getting good advice above.

 

[vranasaurus]

Re: Will it Plane?

A 30 evinrude planed my 22' jon boat but just barely(and I mean barely, I had to talk nice to it and promise it a smaller boat some day) and it required me to have everybody sit up front.<br /><br />It would make 15-17 MPH.<br /><br />Now I have a 90 evinrude and it is great.<br /><br />Get all the power you can. You will regret getting the smaller motor.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Will it Plane?

i agree...get all the power you can, you will not be unhappy with too much power. this is the same thing for me. when i bought my glastron, the standard power was a 90 mercury with an optional 115, 135, and the biggest it could hold which was a 150. Athough the 90 and 115 were much cheaper than the package with the 150, i new that in the long run i would be much more happier if i ever plan to sell the boat for re-sale value(more power, biggest engine), the engine wouldnt work as hard as the smaller 3 or 4 cylinder ones saving gas(in most cases) and wear and tear on the engine, and i wouldnt have to be scared about planning while pulling a skier and having 6-7 people in the boat in which i knew the 90 or 115 would have trouble with. just sunday i was pulling 2 tubers, 1 skier(220 lbs) had a full tank of gas, coolers and other gear, and had 6 people in the boat and i could pull the skier up like it was nothing and the tubers were even easier. this just goes to show that having more power can NEVER be bad.

 

[bolted4]

Re: Will it Plane?

Had a 14 alum. with side console (starcraft), 25HP . I felt it was underpowered and needed a 35-50hp motor. When we had three people in the boat we would have one person sit in front to help plane. Felt like it took forever to go anywhere. My answer would be dont do the 28hp. If you only have a little money you dont want to take the chance on a guess. What hapens if it does not plane??