Is it worth the extra $2500?

[Blaze]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new/semi-new boat and am looking at 2 different 17' Lund Fisherman. The 2 I've narrowed it down to have pretty similar setups, but the one major difference is the motor: one has a Yam F115 and one has a Honda BF150.

Here's my question to those of you with similar boats: is the 150hp Honda worth the extra $2500 on the price tag? We will be doing some skiing with this rig, but probably 85%+ will be fishing. Both have bow-mount trollers and no kickers, so my 1st reaction is to think the 115 would troll down better and would be a sufficient power-plant for what we would need. I'm not a testosterone junkie, but I do like to cruise sometimes...especially if I'm trying to beat a friend to the next fishin' spot!

If you were in this position, would you flip the extra cash for the extra ponies?

Thanks,

Blaze

[Chris Haley]

I'd go with the 150 if you plan to ski!!! You can always put a trolling motor on later for trolling. Are these new?? I would say the difference between the two motors is worth the $2500.

[CHODE]

I own a 1700 Fisherman with a Yamaha 150 HPDI vmax on it. To be honset with you the 115 will be fine for all of what you mentioned. It will put you in the 45mph range. If you want a rocket of sorts then go with the 150. Most dealers set the fisherman up with the 115, and most buyers are more than satisfied with it.

Mine with myself and all the goodies including full tank of fuel will hit 55mph on the gps. Loaded with 4-guys I will still pull 52Mph. How often due I run it that hard, well hardly ever. My cruising speed is about 40 Mph.(plenty fast.)

Is it worth 2500 bucks well, thats up to you.

But I must say anytime a boat will break the 50mph mark your flying, and with most boats out on the market the overall average is 45, and thats fast, on water.

[Scoot]

If you can afford it, and you plan on skiing, get the 150. I agree with the previous post- you'd likely get by fine with the 115. However, if you're going to pull skiers and want a good hole shot, prop the 150 correctly right and you'll be able to pop even fat guys like me outta the water quickly.

[Valv]

I agree with Chode, I had a 1700 Fisherman and installed a 90hp 2 stroke, and it wasn't that bad at all, top speed around 41mph, also another 1700 with 135hp Opti, and it was a rocket.

I would stay with the 115 Yammy and save $2500 for a good sonar and/or trolling motor (what a coincidence, top line Lowrance is....$ 2,499... that will draw some attention)

[Whoaru99]

My cousin had a 1700 Fisherman with a 115 and once on plane it was alright, but I thought it needed more oomph especially out of the hole.

If it were mine, I'd get the bigger engine. I've never heard anyone complain about too much power, but I have heard quite a few say they wished they'd have gone bigger.

I've got a Sylvan Pro Select 16 with a 90Hp and wish I'd have gotten the 115 (max rated). The 90 is fine with myself and gear or another person and gear, but put in three people and gear, it needs a bit more. As a result, I've gotten a smaller pitch prop to get the takeoff, but sacrifice speed when I have the heavier loads.

The 1700 Fisherman dwarfs my boat so I'm a bit surprised to hear a 90 worked OK.

[PierBridge]

You hear this one a lot, and it is a real tough decision.

$2500 is a ton a cash and can buy a lot of extras, Trolling motor, upgrade Electronics, poles,life jackets, boat gas, insurance,Travel lodging.

But one of the worst things you can do is under power a boat and I am sure a 115 will do the job, but if you are fully loaded with people gear and gas. You can't put a price on having enough power to get your rig up on plane and off the lake in bad weather and having extra ponies in big rollers is real helpful.

Your resale or trade in will be better and easier IMO with the 150.

[Blaze]

Thanks guys. Point taken on the "under-powering" perspective - I had that problem on my last boat, but I see so many 1700 Fisherman with 115s I wasn't sure if it really would be underpowered for the occasional skier, etc.

OK - just to make things a bit more interesting, price wise there is a better compromise to go with a 135 Optimax rather than a 150 4 stroke. The added power for the hole shot and top end are accommodated by the Opti, but I realize it won't have the reduced noise of a 4 stroke...or maybe I look for a different dealer with a Suzuki 140...

[nthomps66]

I have a 2004 Yamaha F90 on a Fishhawk 1750. I had a choice between a 4-stroke 90 Yamaha and a 2-stroke 125 Mercury for the money I had to spend. I went with the 4-stroke and couldn't be happier. The 90 horse is plenty of speed and power. The 4-stroke is awesome on gas and is ridiculously quiet. I have loaded up with three guys and gear on Vermillion and got around just fine.

Saying you "need" more horsepower than the 115 is just your testes talking in my opinion. Use the money for more toys to play with on the boat.

[bmc2b]

I have a 1700 fisherman with a Johnson 4str 140(Suzuki motor). I weigh 240lbs and am underpowered to get up on 1 ski. I can get up on 2 without a problem. I run a top speed around 43 with bowmounted trolling motor and its 2 batteries. Lightly rigged without those I can get near 48mph. You'll never regret more power.

[CHODE]

This is just a suggestion bmc, but you might want to check and see if your 140hp is actually putting out 140hp at the shaft. The only reason I brought it up was I know a guy who ended up getting rid of his Johnson 140, because it did'nt perform to well and he had it checked out and it only put out 120hp at the shaft. So it maybe something you should check out. I dont know if this is a problem, but I know this guy actually had this problem.

[TSCTSC]

How do you check that?

[tafadzwa]

Blaze- I picked up a used 1700 Fisherman w/ a 135 Optimax on it last fall and it has been great. I mostly use it for fishing but have pulled skiers and have skied behind it myself. It is a bit louder than a 4-stroke, but the difference is not as noticeable as I thought it would be. It gets up and goes in a hurry with or without a skier.

good luck in your decision

[Blaze]

Thanks for the input guys. I've settled in on the 140 Suzi as my choice - better power than the 115, still maintains the benefits of the 4 stroke, and still $1500-2000 cheaper than a Yam F150/Honda BF150.

Interesting - I was looking at the Honda 150 next to a Yam 225 last night at a dealership (on different boats side by side) and noticed that Honda was the same size as the Yam. Yikes! That Honda is gi-normous!

I'm finalizing prices with a couple dealerships and hope to make a decision this weekend. Can't wait to get back on the water...I miss having a boat!

Blaze

[shamalex72]

Quote:

---

I run a top speed around 43 with bowmounted trolling motor and its 2 batteries.

---

What pound thrust is that? I can't even get my 60hp to go that fast.