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Posts: 85
| Thinking about new boat & motor. Like the room & lay out of the navigator but havn't fished from a newer boat. Also thinking of putting on a 60 Merc. tiller on 175 navigator, seems to be lighter and only 1/2 mile per slower than rated 80, alot cheaper to. Any comments and experiences would be greatly helpful in my decision. Thanks!! |
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Posts: 167
Location: Fonda IA | If you fish two people in the boat your be fine, if you get 3 or more people and gear it will soon be too hard to get up on plane.I know this all to well.My cousin boat is this set up and mine a 175 magnum/60.They are fine with two people,get's great gas mileage,but when you get 3 people in there it just has to much trouble get out and going when load up.(BTW) These boats are both tiller models.My top speed alone is 29 mph.Blummer
Edited by Blummingflower 3/24/2006 8:44 AM
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I agree with the previous post...get the 80hp on there. The extra 20 ponies will definitely help at take-off and midrange. I have the 165 in a CS and love it...lots of room and decent storage..
Steve |
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| Check out the "opinion needed" post a few below this one. It dealt with the same issue.
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I used to have a 2001 Navigator 165 with a Johnson 70hp 2-stroke. I think it went 35-38 top end. With two people it was fine (max HP was 75, IIRC) but with three of us on board it was doggy. I would concur with max HP for the 175; you will burn less fuel, if nothing else.
It may be more expensive to go with the 80 horse motor now, but the worst thing that could happen is that you would have to re-power in a year or two--after being disappointed with the performance. And I will guarantee what it will cost you more to re-power *then* than it will to move up to the 80 now.
TB |
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Posts: 85
| Thanks for replying back. The info has made me look ahead and back to when I had a boat that was under powered for rough conditions, pretty scary at the time. Thanks again. |
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Location: The Yahara Chain | I have a '04 175 Navigator with a 90 hp.....I think the 60 would not be enough power. The boat is rated for a 140 hp max.
Can't compare it to a 01 165...the beam on mine is 94", an 01 165 is a lot smaller boat.
I like my boat a lot, at times I wish it had a 115HP, but the 90 does give it enough power. 60HP no way.
Edited by Bytor 3/22/2006 2:54 PM
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| We have a 165 SC with a 70 Evinrude. It's OK with two people, but three or more needs alittle more power. One time it hurts, but get all the power you can aford. Good Luck GUEST Doug |
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| Definitely go with more horsepower. My friend is looking at a 175 Navigator console. 90 HP would work, but with the 115 HP that he's putting on it, it will move pretty well. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | I believe he is looking at getting a tiller model....
Steve |
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Posts: 255
| I have a 2000 165 Navigator Tiller that I bought used in 02. It is my first ever boat and I love it! Great for musky fishing. Only one problem. I never looked into the fact that it might be under powered with a 40hp 2 stroke. It is an absolute dog! High end with 2 people and gear 25 mph! Biggest regret ever. Please get higher hp if you can. You will be happy later. I won't. Well at least until I buy another boat! I hope this helps, Tom |
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| I am debating on going from a wheeled boat back to a tiller. I know that I will most likely lose top end and versatility, but I did enjoy fishing better out of my tiller boat.
I was also thinking about getting the Navigator 175 tiller and putting a 75 Optimax on it. I figured I save on weight and get a lot more power than a 4 stroke. What do you guys think of that set-up. I was also considering Nav. 165 with a 60 4 stroke.
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Good set-up!! Either one you choose...165 or 175, you have picked good items. Definitely max the HP for either rig. One thing to consider....the 165 is 16'-7" and 36" deep in the bow with a 90" beam. The 175 is 17'-3", 37" deep and a 93" beam. Not much difference at all, except the 175 has the 2XB hull whereas the 165 has just the 2XB bow. There is just under 300 pounds difference in weight between the two.
My personal opinion is you only get 20 hp more with the 175 over the 165. The boats are almost identical, save the 2nd livewell in the 175. So...might save a bit of money by going with the 165, and you have a boat that is only 8" shorter and 3" narrower.
Steve |
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Posts: 85
| I'm really surprised with the comments and advice, didn't think I would get as much. I thank you all very much!! Also I've heard alot about E-Tecs and am thinking that will be a good choice in a 75hp. tiller for the 175 Navigator, what do you think people? One more thing I heard from a retired OMC Tech that evinrude and johnson are going all e-tec and discontinuing 4 str. Thanks again! |
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Posts: 32953
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Bombardier stopped barnding Suzuki Outboards as Evinrude a year ago, so you are correct, they've gone 100% 2 stroke Etec. |
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