It's actually rated for 75 hp but thought why go up if the motor has
enough power. Lower fuel cost and easier to work on it but I do take
underpowered issue seriously as it happend to me before (another
story).


Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On 25 Aug 2005 22:31:47 -0700, "louis" wrote:

I picked up a used 18' Bayrunner (aluminum boat) from a kind lady that
her husband owned. He passed away. He placed a 15 hp outboard and
from the size of the boat it seems a bit small.

His son told me that with him and his dad they can cruise at 15-20 mph
and cut through wind with no problem so his dad never thought about
placing a larger motor.

If I'm in choppy water (1'-2') would this motor be large enough for me
and a friend to ride in? It can get windy where I'm at. I'm not
looking for a speed boat but I don't want to be underpowered for safety
reasons.

Any experience would be appreciated.

Good question.

Personally, I would have a little trouble believing that 15 horse on a
18' aluminum boat with two people will do 20 mph. I have a 14 foot
Princecraft that, loaded with gear, me and one other, will do 20 and
it has a 25 horse Johnson.

If that is a GPS speed, then you have to take him at his word, but I
would be suspicious of it. When you are low to the water and moving
you have a different perspective - even at 10 mph, it might look twice
that fast give wind and wave action. For example, if I'm running my
Ranger center console flat out at 50 mph, it hardly feels like I'm
moving that fast - same on my Contender. But people sitting down in
the stern or console seats, it's quite different - they can "feel" the
speed.

Another issue is "choppy" water. 1 to 2' isn't choppy in a boat like
that - it's a fairly decent size sea for a small open boat.

In my opinion, and if the manufacturer allows for upping the
horsepower (like going to a 25), then I would. And you can get your
money out of the 15 - used small motors are a rather valuable
commodity.

--

Later,

Tom

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