Alumacraft Navigator 165 with Yamaha 70.

[KatoMike]

Looking at a Navigator 165 (full windshield) with a 2-stroke 70 hp Yamaha. Will be a fishing boat and pull the kids and family on a tube. Is this going to be underpowered? (boat is rated for a 90 but that is $3,000 more)

Thanks.

[BoxMN]

That will push it fine. With that said, I would see if the dealer can deal a bit more on the $3000 upgrade price and I personally would go with a 90 (2 stroke), especially if the kids are groing and plan to ski behind it some day.

Good luck, enjoy the new rig!

[solbes]

That seems a little borderline (about 78% of max), but then again it may work just fine for you. Lots of people max out their rigs because they've been down the path of going with less before. And lots of people are perfectly happy with a little less power and speed.

70 would be sufficient for tubing and fishing. Not sure how modern conventional 2 strokes do with lots of trolling, you probably want a burst of mid-high RPM's afterwards to dry out the plugs. I know on my old evinrude, they would load up after awhile. My 4S is not really an issue.

Full windshield will add some weight forward, so you might be going with a slightly lower pitch prop to jump up on plane easier, which may sacrifice a little top speed.

I see Yamaha now has a new 2010 four stroke 70 horse that only weighs 260 lbs, so that might be another option for you. On select outboards they have an extra 3 years of warranty, but this expires March 31st so you would have to move fast.

[heat checker]

I've got a 16 smokercraft with full windshield and such, with the 70 yam. Tops out close to 40mph, does fine out of the hole pulling anyone under 200lbs on tube. Thinking I might be over-propped a bit as slowest trolling speed is 2.5 on calm water. My vote? If you plan on using big motor for trolling alot and don't want to use the electric, go with the 90 and get it propped right.

[Back2Dakota]

I have a 90 yam 2st on a 17' MrPike and I am happy as heck with it. Its rated for a 135. Pull tubes all the time. But a $3000 diff between the 70 and 90??? Is the 90 a 4stk? If not I would find a different dealer. Some guys are never happy with thier boats and sell them 2 years after they buy em. If you think you will like it and are able to afford it without taking a 80 year loan out go for it and as far as the "gota get a 4stk"..well not for me on my boat have a '10 115hp susuki on our new pontoon so we will see how impressed I am with that.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

That 70 Yamaha would be perfect on the Classic 165 CS, but to small for the Navigator. I have the Classic 165 CS with a 50 Yamaha and it is under powered (at times).

[Northlander]

Max it out if you can afford it. I never hear anyone say I wish I had a smaller motor. Get a 4 stroke also if you can.

[LegattoAD]

We got a Navigator 165S last year. We had the same choice in motors but opted to go with the Yamaha F90 (four stroke). The performance is fine for my purposes and fast as.. Well, fast enough for me anyway. We get up and over 40mph when trimmed out.

Remember, you can always pull the throttle back with a 90, but you can only push the stick forward so far with a 70...

One thing you could do is see if they have a non-current Navigator. Our's is an '08 model powered with an '09 motor and it more than made up the difference to the bottom line.

Then we started adding the toys, you know. The trolling motor, sonar, battery upgrades, etc. But we couldn't be happier with it.

[Supercrew]

Max it out if you can afford it. I never hear anyone say I wish I had a smaller motor. Get a 4 stroke also if you can.

I believe the saying is.... "Gonna need a bigger boat" with that said your right , I have never heard anyone say I wish I had a smaller boat. Sit down and think....What do I really need, what can I get by with for my use, and then drop the wallet and up size you will never regret going up a notch. I re-powered an Alumacraft Dominator with a Suzuki 4 stroke Tiller 4 years ago and have never second guessed myself for that move. Also, remember ... the kids wont tube forever but you will be fishin a long time, the best 2 days of owning a boat are the day you get it and the day you sell it.

[CRFan1]

That 70 Yamaha would be perfect on the Classic 165 CS, but to small for the Navigator. I have the Classic 165 CS with a 50 Yamaha and it is under powered (at times).

I have a 60 4 stroke Merc on my 165 CS and I hope it will do ok (Boat is new and still have not taken it out). How fast is yours with the 50 with say 2 or 3 people in it? Just curious.

[marine_man]

I'm guessing mid 30's...

marine_man

[SkunkedAgain]

One thing you could do is see if they have a non-current Navigator. Our's is an '08 model powered with an '09 motor and it more than made up the difference to the bottom line.

Right on. I did the same thing last year and couldn't be happier. I was wanted a 165 Navigator with a full windshield. The dealer had a non-current 2008 but it was only a single console. The non-current boat without full windshield saved us enough money to bump up to a 90hp Suzuki 4 stroke. The decision ended up being:

1) A 2008 165 Navigator with single console, 90hp motor

2) A 2009 165 Navigator with full windshield, 70hp motor

We went with the non-current boat and 90hp and couldn't be happier. We do a lot of early and late season fishing and boat trips, but survive by just wearing the proper clothes. I'm not a speed junky at all, but it's great to have the power when needed, especially if you plan to tow.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Never take 3 people, but with 2 I hit about 28 mph in my Classic 165 CS & 50 Yamaha 2 stroke.

I've had 4 in it for a pleasure cruise a few times and believe me it is pretty pathetic.

[CRFan1]

Never take 3 people, but with 2 I hit about 28 mph in my Classic 165 CS & 50 Yamaha 2 stroke.

I've had 4 in it for a pleasure cruise a few times and believe me it is pretty pathetic.

Yikes! Would a prop change help at all ya think? I will have 3 people in mine quite often and now I am thinking the 60 is going to be marginal. I am not after speed, if it does 30 I'll be happy. I guess we'll see soon enough, lol. Man it was almost 60 here in the chicago area the last two days Of course we will get a blizzard next week probably.

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

That extra 10 hp should make a big improvement, just not sure about the fact that it is a 4 stroke however. I've heard 2 strokes have more punch. I won't loss any sleep over it. I'm sure you will be very pleased.

[CRFan1]

That extra 10 hp should make a big improvement, just not sure about the fact that it is a 4 stroke however. I've heard 2 strokes have more punch. I won't loss any sleep over it. I'm sure you will be very pleased.

Yeah, you are right I'm sure