DOES ANYBODY KNOW IF A 115 hp 4 STROKE IS TOO SMALL FOR THIS BOAT?

i AM LOOKING AT A USED BOAT WITH THIS MOTOR ON IT AND i AM WORRIED THAT IT IS WAY UNDERPOWERED, THE PRICE IS RIGHT, ITS A 2004.

ANY IDEA WHAT THE TOP SPEED WOULD BE?

THANKS

DH99

You could go bigger if you want to race. 115 would do the job and be more fuel efficient.

A buddy of mine had an 1800 Fisherman with a Yamaha 115 and was real happy with it. It topped out right around 40 mph. I was surprised how quickly it got on plane with 4 adult's in it.

It'll be fine if your not a speed freak. I have a buddy with a 1700 Fisherman with a Yammy 100 hp four stroke. It gets up on plane in no time, and tops out at about 40-42 mph. Another buddy of mine has a 1800 Explorer with a 115 Four stroke, and he tops out around 45 mph.

If it's propped correctly, you should be very happy with it.

Thanks for the info.

Re-assures me for sure. Anybody have any remarks about the suziku 4 strokes?

THanks aGAIN

dh99

Thanks for the info.

Re-assures me for sure. Anybody have any remarks about the suziku 4 strokes?

THanks aGAIN

dh99
We fish with a guy who has a fishernan 1800 with a 130 and to me its a little on the under powered side. Keep in mind I have a sportfish 1850 with 150 and wish I would of went with a 175.

If you are going to do any tubing or load the boat with people I think the 115 is underpowered for that boat.

I have a '06 with a 115 Merc 4 stroke EFI. I get about 38 GPS, 2 persons, full tank and fishing gear. Turn a 15p prop at about 5800-6000 RPM. Right where this motor should run. If your not a speed freak, then you should be fine. Like you, I brought my boat with this set up and the price was right for me. Never would hurt to go bigger or to max out the HP. I run on some inland water and this is where I wish I had a bigger motor. Running on, say Lake Erie, you probably won't be running WOT anyway. This is a heavy boat and a 115 is on the low end for power but you should be fine.

dh99,

I believe one of the reasons you'll see a lot of 1800 Fishermans with 115's on them is because the 1800 has been around awhile, is a popular boat and the 115 four stroke was the best 4 stroke option for a number of years. A Merc 115 4 stroke was put on a bunch of the 1800's because the 150 4 stroke (Yammie)was not available yet. So when the 150 was available, a lot of individuals (and dealers) had the mind that hey... a 115's been fine, you don't need a 150.

So to answer your question, a 115 4 stroke is common on a 1800 Fisherman. A 150 is prefered, but oh well.
As long as you don't expect too much, you'll be just fine.

Tubing....it's fine

Skiing, wakeboarding.....you'll do ok as long as you limit the weight in the boat.
I have a 1700 Fisherman with a Merc 115 4 stroke. Tubing can be done with just about any boat. When we ski/wakeboard I have to move bodies/weight around the boat till the skier gets up. Unless everyones a skinny minnie, then it's not an issue.

Fishing.............fine

Suziki's.............bullet proof

Good luck,
Bluegill 1

I have an '02 w/115 yammi....get 35-37mph@5800. Works just fine for me, but then again, I just fish.

a 115 should have enough power for fishing.
i have a '04 explorer 1800 with a 135hp optimax on it and its almost instantly on plane and tops out at around 55mph.

a 115 should have enough power for fishing.
i have a '04 explorer 1800 with a 135hp optimax on it and its almost instantly on plane and tops out at around 55mph.



Thats very impressive speed you have there. JackPlate with SS Prop?

I guess I'll be the one that has a slightly different perspective. I have a f-115 on my 1700 fisherman and at times wished I had a 130 or 150 ( due to high altitudes here). If I'm not mistaken, the 1800 hull is rated for 175 -200 HP. A boat with a motor to hull HP rating of 70% or less will underperform! I think you'll be very dissappointed in the performance with live wells full, and a few buddies on board. Also, there are times when the weather turns and you need to get off the lake fast or manuever through some rough stuff. While the F-115 is an awesome motor and will push the 1800, it will not make it perform to it's designed capability. Re-sell can also be affected when having too small of motor for the hull rating.
Just some things to consider.

agreed the 1800 is rated for 175. I fish a 1700 with a 140 suzuki and would never consider going 1800 with only 115hp. Just my opinion though.

I had an 1800 fish with the 150 johnson and loved the boat. I think if you fish on smaller lakes you will be fine. I don't think you will be disapointed with the 115 if you keep in mind you are going to run in the high 30s to low 40s. If the price is real good you may be able to look at a trade on the motor and still be in good shape.
Good luck.

JT

I bought a 2002 Fisherman with a F115 because Yamaha didn't make a four stroke 150.
Top speed with two adults and full tournament gear was 38 to 40 mph. at best. The boat handled very good but was alittle under powered as it seamed I was the slowest boat in the field during blast off in tournaments so if speed is what you are looking for I would look for one with the 150 hp ( if I remember right 150 was the max hp in 2002).

Thanks for all the information.

It ended up I was not fast enough, the sale is pending. I am still looking and I would most likely like something with a 150 HP. THat way I can run it at a lower RPM and save on gas. This was a really good deal, I was actually thinking about buying it and trying it out and If I wasn't satisfied I woudl have traded it in. I am still looking for my boat, A used Lund fisherman or Tyee with a 150 HP.

Thanks

DH99

Some times things happen for a reason. I truly believe you'll be happier in the long run with a 150 HP on the back of a 1800. Even my smaller 1700 fish, is border line with a f-115. You made a great observation, the Yamaha F-150 in cruise speed will consume less fuel than a F-115 at running at a much higher RPM in order maintain the same cruising speed. While the F-115 is a great motor and will do the job for small lake fishing, there are times when there is just no substitute for having that extra power.

Is a 115 HP ELPTO Mercury big enough for this boat?

I had an 05 1800 Fisherman with a 115 merc 4 stroke. Loved the boat. When I sea trialed the boat there was 5 aboard.....myself, wife, 2 relatives and my sales guy. It was at sea level. Boat performed fine so we bought it. Not so good a the high elevations I fish at some times of the year, mostly over 6000 ft. Re-propped for the elevation, but the boat/motor really struggled to get on plane with a couple of adults and some wind. Sold that boat last year, bought a new one with max hp Verado for the boat Couldn't be happier now. If I was consistently at a lower elevation I would have kept the Fisherman with the 115 and been happy. It was a nice set up, but not for where I used it. In retrospect, I should have realized the underpowered situation.

Smallest motor I'd want on the 1800 Fisherman is the 140 Suzy 4S or the 135 Honda 4S. I had the Suzy, it as a good motor, and it was just big enough. A 150 is ideal, 175 gravy.

I would believe these motors would be easier on gas than a 115 because it's using less RPM's.

I know someone that has an 1800 with a 115 merc 4 stroke. He is perfectly happy with it. If the price is right, go for it.

As to a 1800 with a 135 running 55MPH...................

-Eli

The 1800 Fisherman is an awesome boat, but as another poster alluded to, it is heavy. I would recommend a 135 at the minimum, and prefer a 150. I had 8 people on one with a 150 Opti, and it still had a good hole shot. A 135 Opti is a strong 135, and it does well on this hull. A 115 4 stroke is going to be weak- you could prop for hole shot of course, but then top end is going to be kind of low.