Does anyone fish 3 people in a 618T. I know it would be tight, but can you get it up on plane with only a 90hp motor. Trying to decide between a 620T and 618T. Conversely what's it like to fish solo in a 620T? I'd fish alone about as often as I'd fish 3 people. How do you spell conundrum????

Thanks for any advice,

Ive got a 620 t and i like it with 3 people or myself,by myself i can run laps around it,3 people its a little crowded but easily fishable. i cant see a 618 being to comfotable with 3 guys. I know how much stuff yor buddies can bring.

I fish a fair amount with 3 guys in my 17' Lund Explorer tiller, and there's certainly enough room. The aft is my domain (I use a transom TM), my brother get the bow, BIL in the middle. There are a fair # of guys on this board w/the Lund 1825 ProGuide tiller, running 90's, and they seem pretty happy with the performance. Sure, it would be nice if the Ranger wasn't 400# heavier, just find skinny friends. But, I'd fish 3 guys in an 18'er all day long.
HRG

I have a Ranger 681 (17"8") and have fished 3 guys lots of times. It is crowded but doable. One of the fellas was legally blind. We watched him very, very carefully. A 618 is a little bigger so I'd think it could be done. But if I could get a 620T, I'd go with that any day.

I own a 618t and I fish 3 out of it every year, not a problem whatsoever. With that said if 3 was the rule I'd run a 620t but as it is I usually just have one other guy w/me. I choose the 618t for my application as the 618t is easier to deal with in my garage, price and great fishability on big and small waters - great all around rig! When I say fishability I like backtrolling with the outboard (90 FS) into a chop, something that is easier said than done with a 150 on a 620 . . .

I take it you can get 3 guy and all the gear on plane with the FS90? I know I'm not going to win any races but I want it to be safe in rough water with a load. What's your best guess--28-30 mph with 3 guys.

Thanks for the info.

3 guys it is a bit slow especially if both wells are full but still not that big of deal, I do it all the time. My speeds are as follows with a Suzuki . . .

One guy (light) - 36.5 mph
Two guys (moderate load) - 34 mph
Three guys loaded up (heavy) - 32 mph

The 90 Optimax would be the strongest motor in that range. That motor has the best torque curve for getting heavier V - hull walleye boats on plane like the 618T. It will also be the the fastest. The F-90 runs good but is a weak sister to the 90 Opti. The Yamaha 90 will give marginal performance on the 618T compared to the Merc. Not a plug for Mercury, just the way it is. The Suzy is the second best choice for powering that hull.

Running a 618T with a 90 hp Yamaha and a 16P Vengance prop. Always have lots of gear, couple of 20 lb anchors and full storage full of misc stuff. By myself I hit 35-37 mph. Best its done is 38. Yesterday with two big guys (230 lbs) 35.5 in a good chop. Is it slow out of the hole?? Yes it is, but once up does really good. Had it out one other time in a hard blow and was really happy on how the boat performed in the waves. Could it use another 25 hp?? Haven't been in a tiller boat yet that couldn't. I looked at a 620T with a 150 and could not justify the extra 10K. Plus this I can push around in the shed by my self. Find someone and get a ride in one before you buy. Talk to the dealer he should help you find a ride in both boats. Bring a friend for your third guy. Then you will be able to make your picking easier.

I run a 2008 618-t with a Yamaha F-90. With 3 guys in the boat and going into a strong wind the hole shot was weak. Mercury came out with a 15 pitch Vengance this year. That is the ideal prop. Before i got the 15 Vengance, i installed Nauticus Self Adjusting trim tabs ($160). That helped quite a bit. But with the trim tabs and 15 pitch Vengance the boat comes out of the hole very well with 3 guys and fully loaded. Top speed yesterday with one other person 35.5 MPH.

Tillerman, what are you turning for rpm's alone? With the 16p vengance prop I'm already real close to 6000 rpm's when I trim the engine out.

While it may have the best holeshot it'd be the last motor I stuck on this boat given the other choices available. That's just me but if I need to run a 90 tiller it isn't going to be a merc 2-stroke as I like to do alot of backtrolling and this is where the Yamaha / Suzuki shine.

Actually with its gear ratio and lower idling RPM the Mercury 90 Opti should beat both motors you mentioned when it comes to idling slower. That is if you prop it right. Hole shot will not be the issue and you can handle larger loads, rough water better and still have a top end in the 38-40 mph range.

Nothing against the Opti but when trolling I dont like the smoke.

They may not smoke as much as the older 2 strokes but they still smoke.

Too many reasons for me . . .

Pathetic tiller handle (although the new one coming out sounds good), this is when I bought my boat

Smoke

Noise

Oil resevior

Vibration and smoothness (or lack there of) for backtrolling


Again, for a tiller it'd would be by last choice by a wide margin, but for a wheel boat that you just need something for running and gunning across the water then the Opti is a great choice.

Smoke? I can smell my four stroke kicker as much as my Optimax, They don't smoke, start one up with muff's on it and see for yourself!

What's pathetic about this handle?
HRG

What's pathetic about this handle?
HRG


It's attached to a mercurey :grin::grin::grin:

It's attached to a mercurey :grin::grin::grin:
Gee, for a guy with 4 posts, you sure have the sarcasm thing down pat. Now you can work on your spelling.

Nothing is pathetic now but that handle wasn't availble till this year, furthermore Merc was about 10 years late to that party . . .

Still can't like the Opti for a mid-sized tiller, perhaps that is just me . . .

Trailhound, With rear livewell full, i run about 6100 RPM. I've haven't hit the rev limiter yet.

Gee, for a guy with 4 posts, you sure have the sarcasm thing down pat. Now you can work on your spelling.


But WTF is Runr :bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

You guys really have me thinking now. I posted here quite a bit last year, regarding my new f 90 on my 690T. While my set-up is better than when I started(i am running a Power Tech 16p with transom wedges), I still porpoise a fair amount(trimming down helps but lose about 4 mph going from 37.5 down to about 32). But, and is my main concern, my holeshot is still despicable. I have 2 31 series batteries and my starting battery in back, and if I add 2 guys I can hardly get the boat to plane without both guys heading all the way up front(annoying). That said, by myself, I can hit the rev limitor with this prop. That doesn't bother me a whole lot, as I rarely am out by myself in this rig, and it is often that I have 2 with me. I was wondering if anyone else had any insight on this new 15p vengeance prop. Might be my saving grace...?... hh.. I did try a 15p aluminum prop and it jumped on plane, but hit the limitor at about 30 mph(no good).

Now, I know this rig is underpowered, as is any 18+' glass rig with a 90 in back. But, I would really just like to optimize what I have, and don't feel I have covered all bases yet. I'd like to try a few things before laying down another $300 on a prop that might not be the answer. Does anyone think a hydrofoil stabilizer might be needed for my situation(as much as I hate the looks of them, I might just need to check them out...)?

My 2006 Ranger 618T with a 90 Merc 4S fishes three men just fine. The back trolling is perfect. Fits in a boat lift probably better than a 620. Fishing solo is very comfortable. Considering the cost difference, 618T is the way to go

My holeshot was terrible too until I put a 15 pitch vengeance prop on,vented the prop and then what really helped it get on plane is a product from a company called Cobra and they sell a cavitation plate called "The Edge".I was ready to get rid of my boat before I tried this.I run a 618t with a 90 horse Yamaha.I don't get paid by that company but it really helped my situation.I am thinking that I could maybe go back to 16 pitch vengeanc but I too don't want to drop another 300-400 hundred dollars and have it not work

Have you looked into the 1890BT from Warrior? Rated for a 140 for the power and has plenty of room to fish 3. I absolutely love mine.

Just my $.02