duck boat weight

[Tyler23]

i have a 16ft lund pro pike that i am thinking about putting a 35 horse beavertail on. i was wondering if that motor will be to heavy for my boat. my boat has a full flat floor that is full of foam underneath and two side boxes back by the motor that are about 2ft long by 8inchs wide and 10 inchs high that are also filled with foam. i think it should be ok? shouldn't it??? i only weigh about 150lbs

[BudMan]

The foam in your boat has nothing to do with what the boat will float,the width and length of the boat are the determining factor. You should check the transom height and make sure the longtail is appropriate length . If 15 inch a 72 inch longtail will be best or a 20 inch transom you need the longest tail I think it is around 83 inches. If you don't believe me just go on the Mfg's HSOforum to confirm

[dan z]

you should be fine with the 35hp on that big of a boat all you have to consider is how heavy the biggest motor for that boat which is prolly a 75 hp and figure out the weight of that and see if your under it. a lil over would be okay too its not like your going mach one and having a big wake following you when you come to stop...they floatation in the boat has nothin to do with the outside of the boat its thier for if you sink the boat. its there for bouyancy so the boat dont sink to the bottom. have you thought of performance pods?

[Tyler23]

doesnt foam add bouency??? any way its beam is 65in and has a 20in transome. the boat is rated for 40 horse and says it can handle a max of 1220lbs with motor and gear. 600lbs max for people and gear. the 35 beavertail approx. weights 220lbs which slightly lighter than a 40 horse mercury. should be good to go right???

[BudMan]

Foam only adds bouyancy when the boat sinks. With the twenty inch transom you need the 85 inch longtail, I looked it up.You can get by with a 72 inch longtail but the performance will be horrible .

[Tyler23]

"performance will be horrible"?? what do you mean??.. my uncle has a 16ft alumacraft with a 20inch transome and has a 23horse go-devil and it seems to work good to me but i have never been in a "mud boat"

[BudMan]

If you are getting that 35 hp I'm thinking you want 'performance'.The angle of the drive on the motor will be pushing 'down' more than pushing 'back'You will know what I mean when a 24 hp on a 15 inch transom goes right on by you when you are at full throttle . Don't take my word for it , go on those diff Mfg's websites and do a little research before you spend the $$$ and are not satisfied .If you just want to go faster than your uncle's 23 hp you will .

[Tyler23]

well the only reason i am looking at a 35 in because i found one used with like 3hrs on it and he has a pretty good price on it. all i really need is a 23 but this 35 is cheaper than a new 23... and its always fun to have something more powerful and faster than someone elses haha. but should i keep this motor in intreast even tho its a 72 (i think)? or should i start looking for a longer one??? he has it on a 16ft beavertail right now and he claims it will go threw anything

[BudMan]

Well , if you really want to haul A$$ get that 35 hp and put it on a Go-Devil boat , a truely flat bottom , no ribs to slow you down . All of the other mfg's boats have external ribs that run the length of the boat , and yes they do slow you down . One of my hunting buddies has a Go-Devil boat and that thing really shines in the mud and weeds . Much better than my lund with the ribs .

[Tyler23]

oh i know ive seen movies of go devil boats they go threw anything. but i like my v-hual for when the wind picks up and the waves start to get big. and for when i push it in the rushes its alot easyer than my buddies jon boat. should i go with the 72 since ive found one thats really nice or wait and find one with a longer tail??? what would you do, i think it would be fine

[dan z]

a longer tail would work a lot better the 72 inch shafts are built for 15" transoms, that shaft will work but you will be lacking the true performance of that big motor buy the motor if its a good deal and put it on a different boat down the road just my 023 sense