Post a message

Muskie Discussion Forums

Search | Statistics | User Listing

You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

Posting a reply to: RE: 115hp+17ft aluminum boat....how fast

Muskie Fishing -> Muskie Boats and Motors

Guest name

Subject

Message

Emoticons

[QUOTE]muskie-addict - 5/20/2012  10:07 PM

I guess that's what I'd be more concerned about is getting your motor pitched and set up right.

One thing you might consider is the price of available motors. The 115 is an extremely popular motor across the brands. A few years back, a buddy was looking around for one and there wasn't exactly one on every boat yard. Used, that is. And they were really holding their value well. It was about then they really jacked the prices up on motors. I thought he said the marinas were knockin' on the door of new prices for used motors in good shape with low hours. And there just weren't many out there. Given the 115's popularity, you might find a Honda, as mentioned, or something else in the 115-135hp range cheaper. Maybe not. Just a thought.

On the whole top end thing.....the fastest I've ever been traveling when I caught a fish was ~5.5mph. Gotta think about needs vs cost vs what you gain by maxing out HP. An 80hp might suit you just fine, depending on where you're fishing and what you plan to do with it, the boat you find and how its weight is distributed and how the motor is set up.

I live in Green Bay, so 4-8++ mile runs are pretty routine. The guy who owned the boat before me, who bought it new, fished relatively small inland lakes, pretty much exclusively. Its rated for a 175, but it would have been several thousand more to go with that option, and I'm not sure you'd troll as easily. So then you're looking at a kicker for sure, which is another couple thousand for something decent and new.

I love my boat and how it's set up and how it works for me. Sure, I'd love a 175, but for what?? To gain 10-15ish mph on top end? What's that going to gain me? So I get somewhere on a long run 4 minutes sooner. So what.

JMHO
-Eric[/QUOTE]

HTML: Yes
Anonymous: Yes
MBBS Code: Yes

Disable HTML
Post anonymously
Enable emoticons

You are replying to:

muskie-addict

Posted 5/20/2012 10:07 PM (#560895 - in reply to #560724)
Subject: RE: 115hp+17ft aluminum boat....how fast

Posts: 272

My Alumacraft TourneyPro 175 (measures 17'11") with a 115 Yamaha will touch 40 on a good day, usually 38 and change with two guys and gear. Its alot of boat, though, when compared to most 17-footers. I think mine has a Yamaha SS 21 pitch 4-blade. Have heard that dropping a blade will get you more top end, and I'm sure I could pitch up and get a little more max speed. But why? Boat runs and handles great now. Trolls well, gets out of the water fine, etc.

I guess that's what I'd be more concerned about is getting your motor pitched and set up right.

One thing you might consider is the price of available motors. The 115 is an extremely popular motor across the brands. A few years back, a buddy was looking around for one and there wasn't exactly one on every boat yard. Used, that is. And they were really holding their value well. It was about then they really jacked the prices up on motors. I thought he said the marinas were knockin' on the door of new prices for used motors in good shape with low hours. And there just weren't many out there. Given the 115's popularity, you might find a Honda, as mentioned, or something else in the 115-135hp range cheaper. Maybe not. Just a thought.

On the whole top end thing.....the fastest I've ever been traveling when I caught a fish was ~5.5mph. Gotta think about needs vs cost vs what you gain by maxing out HP. An 80hp might suit you just fine, depending on where you're fishing and what you plan to do with it, the boat you find and how its weight is distributed and how the motor is set up.

I live in Green Bay, so 4-8++ mile runs are pretty routine. The guy who owned the boat before me, who bought it new, fished relatively small inland lakes, pretty much exclusively. Its rated for a 175, but it would have been several thousand more to go with that option, and I'm not sure you'd troll as easily. So then you're looking at a kicker for sure, which is another couple thousand for something decent and new.

I love my boat and how it's set up and how it works for me. Sure, I'd love a 175, but for what?? To gain 10-15ish mph on top end? What's that going to gain me? So I get somewhere on a long run 4 minutes sooner. So what.

JMHO
-Eric

Edited by muskie-addict 5/20/2012 10:30 PM