Outboard question

[Sutty]

Anybody have a Crestliner 1850 fishhawk out there? I bought one last night on the Crystal Pierz Crestliner auction and I need to buy an engine for it. It max's out at 150 horse but I am wondering what the differance besides cost would be in milage and speed between say a 115 and a 150. My current boat is a 16 foot fishhawk with a 40 horse that I might get 30 mph out of if the wind is just right.. so if I am getting mid 40's It will seem like flying to me. I just do not want to under power it either.

[bassNspear]

That boat is goign to have better performance with a 150 opti then any other motor. The opti is a motor that has came a long with with performance and gas milage. Yes its still a two stroke, but your going to get alot more power, hole shot, and top speed with the 150 opti.

[VMS]

I wouldn't necessarily consider opti to be the best motor since much of the performance of the boat is based upon having the set-up correct in terms of prop pitch, prop type, mounting height, etc.

What I will agree on, though, is that the higher HP motor you go with, the better the boat will be to deal with in. It will be easier for a larger HP motor to get your boat on plane, and with a heavy load, it will not lose as much performance.

I am also one of the few remaining 2 stroke guys, and all I can say about what motor to purchase is look at the engine displacement in the HP range you are considering. the larger displacement engines will be stronger overall and have a bit more low end torque to get you going.

Good luck with what you choose. Pretty hard to go wrong with most outboards out there now, but if you go 2 stroke, I would consider not only motor efficiency. A simpler styled engine has less items that can go wrong with it. Its just something to think about and keep in mind.

Steve

[bassNspear]

Quote:

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I wouldn't necessarily consider opti to be the best motor since much of the performance of the boat is based upon having the set-up correct in terms of prop pitch, prop type, mounting height, etc.

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Crestliners are pre rigged with Merc Motors

[bassNspear]

90% of them are, make sure u check and see what that boat is pre riggeed for

[Sandbar]

I have a 2003 1850 Fish Hawk with a Suzuki DF140 4-stroke. Top end is around 44 mph. It's a great running motor and I haven't experienced one problem. If I was buying today, I would probably choose the Suzuki DF150 4 stroke or the Yamaha 150 4 stroke.

[Darrell Larson]

Sutty, I purchased an 18' Serenity from Crystal/Pierz a couple of years ago. At that time it came with a 150hp Yamaha 4 stroke. I Like the motor and if I had it to do over I would go with the Yamaha. Just my 02 worth but I would go with the 150 vs the 115. It somtimes is nice to have the extra speed etc. when that thunder storm is chasing you or you have a few extra pounds in the boat. Good luck on whatever you decide. I have not to this date had any problems with the motor at all. Later Darrell.

[DinkADunk]

That's about the same size as my Lund Fisherman 1800. I run a Johnson 140 4 stroke (Suzuki) and wouldn't want to go with any less power. I would probably go with a 135-150hp motor that mates with the rigging on the boat.

[caseymcq]

If you go with an Opti Max I would think either a 135 or a 150 would power that boat very well. 115 may start to be a little small for an 18 ft boat. The fuel economy may not be any better either. That motor would have to work harder than a 135 or 150 to push that boat at comparable speeds.

I am a Yammy guy but from what I have read in Bass and Walleye Boats magazine the Opti Max usually out performs all other outboards (2- and 4-stroke) if not in every category most categories. In the articles I have read they have had better holeshot, top-end and/or better fuel economy than any other motors. At crusing speeds the Opti has been quieter too.

[bassNspear]

Like i have said time and time again, its tuff beating a opti

[Sutty]

I found out the boat is pre rigged for Merc. Since it probably not worth it to pay to re rig it I will stick with Merc and Look at the Opti and merc 4 strokes.

[Payday]

Check which Merc it is pre-rigged for. I believe the rigging is different for the Verado vs. the Optimax.

[Capt.Blaine]

There is alot more rigging they have to do for a Verado vs the Opti. I have not heard many good things about the Verado, and I do like 4-strokes just not this one so far.

[bassNspear]

Opti is a way better motor then the Ver. But the supercharger is AWESOME

[Central Bassman]

Some of the reason ppl are having problems with the Verado is because the dont match it to the right boats.. There is only one motor and that is a MERCURY!!!

[bassNspear]

and there braking the tranum becuase of the weight of the motor. Not putting it on right boat.

[anyfishwilldo]

It's been my experience to get the most motor the boat can handle. My old boat was rated for a 125, and I got a 90, with the intention of upgrading some day if I didn't like the performance. Well, I didn't like the performance, but the cost of upgrading was more than I cared to spend. I bought a new Lund 1700 fisherman instead, with a Yami 150 HPDI on it, and absolutely love it!!

[bassNspear]

Dont mess around. Go big or go home, becuase if there is a storm, and you have less the power then what you can have, and u get in trouble, your going to get ur arce in trouble.