Is this enough motor for this boat? Boat weighs about 1200lbs.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-RAIDER-Pro-Sport-182-93105188

it's bigger and heavier than my 17' Lund Explorer, and I was pretty disappointed with a Merc 60 4S on it. Can't tell from the Raider website what the max hp is on a tiller model, but a 75 or 90 would probably be more appropriate.
HRG

It depends on what you're looking for. The 60 Suzi will get you on plane with a 16" stainless no problem at all, it won't be a speed demon...maybe 30 mph at most, but it'll get you up and going. Comparing the 60 Suzi to a 60 Merc is comparing apples to oranges. The Suzi has way more displacement and a far lower gear ratio...it's much heavier too, but that's because of displacement.

Now, the "experts" will say that weight plays a bigger issue and that 60 hp is 60 hp, all I can tell you is that I've had them both and there's no comparison. A 60 Suzi is way more motor than a 60 Merc, but you have to realize that it's not going to be a fast boat by any stretch. It will, however, get you right up on plan and perform OK with the right prop.

One answer to your question only you can answer .... can I afford more motor?

I run a 17 1/2' yarcraft BT ( 1300 # empty ) with a 60hp 2st and am satisfied with the combo.
If I had the $$$ at the time of purchase I would have opted for the full 75hp it's rated for but the rig as is gets me around at about 36 MPH GPS.

This rig you are considering is a little heavier and may damand the bigger motor if you can afford it.

I've got a G3 V170T. It weighs between 1100 and 1200 pounds dry. I have a Yamaha F50 and it will Gps at 30 MPH with my wife and I. Plenty of power as far as I'm concerned. Do you want a go fast boat or a fishing boat?

Looking for a fishing boat, not a speed demon. Just want it to be able to plane with 3 adults. It has a modest 10 degree transom deadrise so it should be easy to plane. It is rated for 135hp prop according to Raiders website, it does not specify between console or tiller. It seems like a smoking hot deal!

Not enough motor, 60hp is less than half the rated horsepower.

right tool for the right job !
A 60lhp tiller handle no matter what brand is alot to handle
fishing all day dragging a sucker and beating the shore line with a obsolete "SMOO" ! anymore than 60hp prolly should have a steering wheel to answer your question YES tht 60 is more than enough

Nice looking boat ... I have a 60hp 4 stroke EFI merc on a Lund Pro Angler 16 (16'6"). It is fine, but the rated 75hp would be pefect I think. When I bought it Merc didn't have a 75hp 4 stroke, I didn't know how good the Opti's were. Oh well ... I think the weight is similar, so with two full livewells and gear I run 25-27 mph with the 60hp. I don't mind, but I would like to go faster sometimes.

Knowing now ... I would get a 75hp at the max HP.

karpbuster

i have a 18' lund alaskan with 50hp 4stroke and i wish it had more get up n go but its a tiller so makes for a better all around boat when trolling. I have a lot gear and batteries plus couple other buddies with and 23mph tops...which isnt very good. It seems the closer you are to the max hp the easier it is to sell the boat when ready to get a new one. I just got a 05' 2025 with 250 verado so obviously a world of difference and SPEED is NICE! now just got 2 find a home for the ol'alaskan:(

ryan

The hull is rated for a 135 hp but there should be a Coast Guard plate mounted near the operators helm that says what the Max hp rating is for a tiller equipped boat.

Either way, "Smoking Deal" or not, even a Suzuki 60 HP is not going to be enough on that rig for satisfying performance. You'll need to run that motor close to wide open throttle just to keep it on plane. That means you will experience poor fuel efficiency. Forget about a nice quiet cruise speed. You'll be running at either trolling speed or close to the max RPM.

The guy who said you could turn a 16 pitch stainless prop is smoking something. I can only turn a 15 pitch stainless with a 70 HP Suzuki mounted in the third hole on a 16 foot Lund that weighs less than 700 pounds. You more likely looking at 11 or 13 pitch in a stainless prop. Maybe 15 pitch aluminum.

Bottom line...pay more for a large motor, or buy a smaller boat you can afford to rig correctly.

right tool for the right job !
A 60lhp tiller handle no matter what brand is alot to handle
fishing all day dragging a sucker and beating the shore line with a obsolete "SMOO" ! anymore than 60hp prolly should have a steering wheel to answer your question YES tht 60 is more than enough
OK, I give up. What's a "SMOO" ?

HRG

http://www.suzukimarine.com/sr_08/df70-60/features/... this may help for pitch n prop size...i have had bigger engines on boats that weighed just a touch more that were dogs....seems a bit underpowered to me

The following is a list of Suzuki props from Suzuki for that motor.

DF60/70 Optional on 1998-2007 Models
Type Material Blades Diameter Pitch Part Number
V1100 Aluminum 3 14 11 58100-99E10-019
V1300 Aluminum 3 13-1/2 13 58100-99E00-019
V1500 Aluminum 3 13-1/2 15 58100-94500-019
V1700 Aluminum 3 13-1/4 17 58100-94512-019
V1900 Aluminum 3 13 19 58100-94522-019
V2100 Aluminum 3 13 21 58100-94532-019

I would start with the lowest pitch prop on the list - i.e. the 14 inch diameter and the 11 pitch. See what kind of hole shot and top speed you get with this prop.

Then, you could move up through the 13 1/2 inch props for the 13 and 15 pitch props.
I am guessing that you would settle on the 14X11 or the 13 1/2 X 13 prop for the final prop.

Having a large diameter prop will give you a larger prop disk, better hole shot, and the ability to work heavy water more easily.

Larger props require more power, so you will need to give up on pitch to get correct engine rpm. The key for you is to get the largest diameter prop possible that your motor will pull, to be able to move this large boat with a large load in it.

You are going to be relageted to a relatively slow speed - i.e. 20-30 mph, but the correct prop should make this boat a good one.

Take care
REW