Performance between a 1450 Lund Rebel and a 1650 Lund Rebel with a 25HP 4 Stroke

[fishingmad]

I have been told conflicting views by dealers. Some have said that a 25 HP with a 1650 (Max HP is 50)will be OK whereas others have advised against it. The view of one is that the boat will take too long to plane. Another is of the view that compared to a 1450, the longer 1650 will plane faster and will handle waves better. So which is better? Should I go for a 1450 or a 1650 with a 25 HP motor? Intuitively, I am thinking of the 1450 but there are some arguments that seem to make sense for the 1650. I do not really want to regret putting a 25HP on a 1650. Any help would be appreciated. Any referral to expert sources would also do. Thanks

[PerchJerker]

Some general advice ..... from Day 1 you will not be happy if you underpower your boat, and you'll really hurt the resale value.

[TSCTSC]

So how does it all work out? The Rebel 1650 is a 16 footer and is 50lbs heavier whereas the 1450 is a 14 footer. So which way would be better? 1450 for a shorter and lighter boat or 1650 for a longer and slightly heavier boat? It is true, some people have said that a longer boat planes easier. What are the important factors to consider? Weight, length etc?

[New Yankee]

Fishing - One of my guys has a 16 ft rebel with a twenty that wouldn't plane with two good sized folks. Maybe a twenty five would get it, but it is a dog with a twenty. Even if you went with the 14 ft I'd not go smaller than a thirty five. This guy is half way trying to sell his 16 but the twenty is a cause of concern for most folks.

[DrKen]

I don't have a lund but I do have a 16ft Smokercraft deep wide plain fishing boat with 20 horse. With just 2 people in it is fine, moves as fast as I want but loaded with 2 guys and several hundred pounds of camping/hunting/fishing gear it's a bit of a dog. Since the rebel is heavier to begin with I would suspect that a 25 will disappoint you and you would be happier with at least a 35 and that will be unsatisfactory with 3 guys. (based on a friends 16ft lund with a 35) just my 2bits.

[ZapBranigan]

FishingMad - Your name may fit for a while if you try to get by with a 25HP. But if you already have the motor and are just trying to decide on the boat. I would go with the 1650. I have an older 1988 rebel that I started with a 25. Over time I got frustrated but at least the rating on the 1650 allowed for a larger motor than the 1450 so when it did come time to upgrade I wasn't limited again. My Father in law has a 1450 with a console and a 30HP on it. Power isn't his only issue. Space is at a real premium. get the 16ft just too have enough room to put a couple of guys and their gear. So bigger is better in the long run and go with a tiller if possible a lot more boat/fishing space.

[danfall]

Factors to consider..how many people will you fish with? If you do all your fishing alone, the 25 will be fine. If you fish with 3-4 people all the time, max out the hp.

how far will you travel by water..if you fish on the Saint Croix or Mille Lacs a bunch, the 25 might not be enough speed to get you all over the place

big water, big boat, big bodies, big hp

small water, small boat, small bodies, small hp

[fishingmad]

Dear all who replied with their advice and help, and humour, thanks! I get the picture with the 25HP. I probably should not go with it.

[riverrat56]

If you go with the 14 ft boat, you'd be ok with the 25 horse, in fact it would be plenty, it won't be fast, but the boat will plane and hadle nice, it will clip along nice enough. If you fish alone most of the time thats what i would go with in the 14 ft'er and the 25 horse, If you decide to go bigger, to the 16 ft boat i would wait until you can afford at least a 40 horse motor, i've fished in a 16ft with a 25 horse, its slow and doesnt plane with more than 2 ppl.

[Fisher Dave]

The actual *speed* between a 14' and a 16' will be about the same with a 25 hp motor.. In my experience, the 16' boat does plane easier than the 14' boat. Maybe beacuse of a little more weight up front, or there usually a little bit wider, but planing was never an issue unless I was loaded very heavy.

If you fish by yourself a lot, or if you fish with a passenger that is normal human size(and your not 400 pounds), you shouldnt have too much of a problem... it all depends on your performance needs.

The pitch on the prop makes a huge difference on a larger boat with a 25 hp.. less pitch will give you way more power to get up on plane... your not going to win any races, but the performance would greatly increase. A freind of mine had a modern 16' Alumacraft with the livewell, decks, rod locker, kitchen sink(forgot model) and had a 30 hp motor tiller.. the prop the boat came with from the dealer made the motor a dog. He changed to a lesser pitch prop and it seemed like he added 10 hp, and about 4 mph top speed from the *recommended prop* the boat came rigged with, and it would plane 3 people with a full livewell.

A 25 hp motor on a 16' boat would suit my fishing needs fine*.. but not everyone has the same needs.

[fishingmad]

Thanks all, but it seems that the views are conflicting and I guess at the end of the day, it really depends on personal requirements. In any case, I managed to call LUND and spoke to someone there...maybe a sales person or an engineer. He said that they have tested the boats with some of the motors and these are the speeds that they have got :

1450 with 25HP will go 26-30MPH estimated (No test

done)

1650 with 25HP will go 20-24MPH tested

1450 with 40HP 32-36MPH tested

1650 with 40HP 28-32MPH tested

Personally, the LUND guy said that he would go with a 1650

with a 25 if he had to choose between the two, because

of space. But he says that all of us have different

requirements because he has a family.

But his view was that the smaller boat will go faster and also plane faster with than the 1650.

[Gus]

If I were you, I would have the dealer take me on a test ride in each boat before I made a decision. If your dealer won't do that, then find another one. Take an extra person along with you if you have to to simulate some extra weight. I would definatley make sure I got a test ride before deciding.

Good luck

[united jigsticker]

The 1650 EXPLORER with a 50HP 4 stroke goes 35 MPH. Yes, its a bit more heavy do to increase in width and onboard tank.

My 1700 Explorer with a 70 hp goes 37 mph. This is with 2 people, gear, and 25 gallons of fuel.

To make you happy for years to come, get the 1650, with a 50 hp engine. just my opinion.

[fishingmad]

I have talked to so many dealers and I cannot imagine that anyone would like to take me on a test ride before buying the boat. The closest I have gotten is pay the money and when the boat I want is rigged, I take it out. If I do not like it, I can trade in the motor for another one at market rate. As it is, it takes them like 2-3 weeks to rig a boat for me....I dun really get the feeling that test ride is something the Mn dealers will do.

[snapjigger]

I currently have an 03' 1650 with a 50 Yamaha 4 stroke. It came with a 30 four stroke. I was not real happy with the performance of the 30. It would plane out all right but with more than 1 person it took a while. Also no tilt on motor. My 6 year old boy also was ready to start tubing so I opted for the 50. I purchased the boat as a demo so had no choice in motors at time of sale. Have never regreted getting the 50. It trolls down nice and has plenty of power for 3 guys and all the gear you want to bring... Just my .02 If you go with the 50 and bigger boat you will not be sorry...

[snapjigger]

Where are you located ? I would be happy to take you out for a day so you can get an on the water test....