Re-powering boat

[MnWilly]

Hi everyone, just looking for some input and thoughts here...

I have a 2005 Lund 1700 Fisherman w/2005 115 Optimax. I love both, and have had no problems with either.

I am thinking about getting a new engine for two reasons.

1. Keep the motor fresh because I am definitely sticking with my boat

2. Considering the larger lakes that I fish I would like to go up to a 150/HP (max for this boat).

I currently have a 19 pitch trophy 4-blade prop and can get 41mph (GPS) when it's just me and little gear. Fully loaded with 4 adult fisherman and gear I get more like 35mph or so.

What are your thoughts?

Is it worth the investment?

Any suggestions on where/who takes trade-ins on motors for this type of thing?

Thanks in advance

MIKE

[mamohr686]

My opinion is that you will take a serious loss and it's not worth it. New outboards in the 150hp range are 10-12k. Take into account your going to get a really weak trade-in value plus $70-80/hr shop labor to install the new outboard and controls. Just the initial hit will be about 6-8 grand. Then when it comes time to sell your combo, you will never get a fair price because you have an older outdated boat and electronics that go with your newer outboard.

If your happy with your current combo, then the real question is it worth $10K (over the total ownership period)to have a newer outbord with less hours that will give you an extra 10mph on top end?

Previously I ran a 3 blade on a pro-V 1775 with a 120 hp johnson and it had a top end around 49mph. You may want to try a 3 blade tempest prop for better top end, but you will loose some hole shot. The vent system works well for getting out of the hole when you set it up right.

You could trade in your current boat and motor and upgrade the entire set-up to a 2 year old used model and spend less then re-powering your current rig.

[bobbymalone]

1. Keep your motor fresh? It's not like a 2005 ford escort with 198K miles. A 2005 outboard should have many many many more years in it if you take care of it.

2. Never understood why people think they need to go faster that what they already do. Even if your fishing spot is 10 miles away, you are talking about a 5 minute difference between 50 and 30 mph. Cripes, it's not like you are running late to work or something. Hole shots and top end talk is for racing, not fishing. Just my

don't waste your money and don't look at the GPS speedo, you'll be just fine

[JohnMickish]

It will not be a financially wise choice. The boat will still be worth the same but you will end up spending another $5000+ to do this. If you are serious bumping up the HP, you would be better off selling the boat you have and finding another just like it with the motor you want.

Unless your current motor has 1000+ hours already I'd just stay with what you have and add a kicker.

[delcecchi]

49 on a 1775 provee from a 120hp? That is amazing. I only get about 42 with a 115 on the same boat.

I'm considering going to a 4stroke from carbs and am debating what hp. Current motor is a 1998.

[MnWilly]

As always, I think all your advice is sound. I guess the extra 10mph top end wasnt my biggest concern, but it is really nice when you are half way across Vermilion and some weather is coming in. I think I have the vents on my Trophy prop dialed in. Got good advice from a local mercury dealer. Just bought an extra set of "solid" plugs. Drilled progressivly larger holes in them until I found just the right size. The handeling on my prop is incredible compared to the "stock" AL prop.

In other words.... if it isn't broke don't fix it. I get it! Really I wasn't that keen on dropping the cash, just curious about the other opinions. I may be looking at moving up to a 1800 Tyee (not glass). Probably better to find a deal on a 2008 or 2009 Tyee and try to sell mine and pick up that.

On a side note.... any idea what my rig is worth? I have done some checking and these seem really tough to price out.

Thanks again guys!

MIKE

[PerchJerker]

I agree with the others, repowering your current rig would be a big mistake (financially speaking). You'd be far better off getting rid of your boat / motor combo and replacing it with the one that you want.

And ..... you are not going to see anywhere near a 10 mph increase going from a 115 Opti to any 150 hp motor (unless you have a really bad setup with your 115, ie. motor height, prop, rpms, etc). Half of that, or 5 mph, is a lot more likely. You will get better performance with a heavy load with a bigger motor though.

[BoxMN]

FWIW - I would not re power for other reasons stated. But, with that said, even though it is only 5 or so mph, the WOW!!!! and smile on your face every time you open a 150 over a 115 will be WAY noticable, and is very fun and even our boat is a relative slow sled, but we still get that grin as the hole shot is like a rocket up to 50ish GPS speed. The difference between a true 40 and a true 50 mph, even 45-50, on the water is nothing to sneeze at. If you want more speed, trade the whole setup for more hp and different boat for best value.

BTW, I am guessing the 49 on a 1775 with 120hp is based off the speedo, not true speed. It would never hit that true speed... just sayin' Heck our speedo has hit 61 before, but our boat has only gone over about 53 down the highway with same sized boat and 150, propped well and tested with many SS models and pitches.

[mamohr686]

This thread is a great example of why you should always max out the hp on a new boat purchase. a 150hp running at 3/4 throttle will give you good speed and better mileage, compared to pushing a 115 hard the marjority of the time.

As far as my Pro-V speed in question. This was on an older mid-90's model before the slower and heavier IPS hull came out. It was powered by a 120 V4 johnson and had 3 blade raker prop on it. Speedo went up to about 52, but on the handheld gps without any gas and one person it would actually reach 49. (anyone remember the handheld magellan gps 3000?) Real world speed with full livewells and 2 guys were in the mid-low 40's. It was a cool one-of-kind boat with black painted top rails, for the lund catalog.

[BoxMN]

Good point mamohr, and sorry to question you, that number just seemed kinda funky, as we did lots of testing on our boat. But makes sense as you describe, and yep, I remember the magellan! Neighbor still uses his!

I actually used to fish Mille Lacs out of a real similar same 1775, with Yammie 150, very nice boat and motor package.

And sorry for being a gps vs speedo guy, but once I saw how "happy" our speedo was (and also the speedo on my Honda bike, ha!) I always call out gps when conversations go to "speed" etc. I get kick out of speed boat owners who say their boats will go 60, but then are actually slower then our fishing boat that goes 50, ha!

[overdalimit]

As a TYEE owner. (2000 1850 tyee with 175 ficht) You will hate fishing on windy days with that tyee. Its higher profile catches almost twice as much wind as a pro v. The higher sides are nice for rough water though.

[Down Deep]

Another thing.........Be sure to consider the cost of fuel when considering upgrading in HP. Fuel prices are likely to approach $5+ per gallon within 2 years. Pushing that boat around a few MPH faster might just be an expensive undertaking for reasons other than the initial cost of the upgrade.

[delcecchi]

That is an interesting question. Say I was in the market for a new 4 stroke. I could buy a 115 or 150. Would there be a significant difference in fuel consumption at a cruising speed of say 35 mph.

Boat is a 98 1775 provee and WOT with the 115 would be in low 40's and with the 150 probably more like high 40's to 50, judging by the performance with the current carb 115.

[311Hemi]

Between a 115 and 150 4 strk, at a cruising speed of say 35mph the 150 would probably use less gas as you will be turning a lot less RPM's vs the 115 that would have to be near full throttle (at least on my boat) to keep that same speed.

Now, if your running full throttle on both all the time the 150 will use more gas.

[BoxMN]

Also a big issue when talking about higher HP is that the higher HP motors on same hull will not be affected as much as more weight is added (gas, people, "Stuff", but especially people). I think people get surprised when they are used to fishing alone, or with one other person, then decide to take the family or friends out on a cruise or tubing, with the kids friends, etc. The weight adds up quick, and that is when the folks who didn't go higher HP start re-thinking. And I bet this happens to about 99% of the people who didn't max or come close to maxxing it out

As hemi said, you don't need to run WOT the whole time, run in 3000-3500 rpm and usually that is best fuel economy, as long as the hull is nicely out of the water. With added weight you need decent bow lift and the higher HP and good prop heklp with that. Good luck with your choice!