60 h.p Merc 4-stroke/Lund 1700 Angler underpowered?

[demay]

I have been looking at the Lund 1675 Explorer tiller with the 60 hp Mercury EFI and I was just about ready to buy. However, the Lund 1700 Angler tiller turned my head because it seems to be more fishable, has better storage and more room.

I would rather stay away from carburated 4 stroke engines if at all possible because of potential hard starting, cold weather and fuel-related problems. There have been numerous posts on this site by guys who have had fuel and carburator-related problems, but it seems everyone is completely happy with EFI engines.

My dilemma is that Mercury makes only a 60 hp EFI engine and Suzuki makes a 70hp engine in the mid-range class. Further, the Lund dealer that has the best price deals only in Mercury motors, so that limits me to the 60 hp Merc.

The Yamaha Marine web site has a performance report on the 1700 Angler with a 60 hp Yamaha four stroke. It states that the top end speed with 2 persons, moderate gear and 20 gallons of gas is 31.9 mph. This is fast enough for me and I don't have to go 40 plus mph. I troll a lot. But, many posts state that you should always max out the horsepower, if at all possible.

Does anyone have any experience with the 60hp 4 stroke/1700 Angler tiller combination, or should I reevalute my thinking? Any help would be appreciated.

Dave

[fishinnut]

I just put a 60 hp Yamaha 4 stroke on a 16' Lund Predator and get about 32-33; 2 men 2 bateries full tank 11 gallons; The Predator is a heavy boat for it's size and should compare to the 17 you have.

[Fred_G]

Don't be afraid of a carbureted four stroke. I have the 1700 Angler with a Merc 75 four stroke and it has been flawless over the last two years. Always starts right away and purrs like a kitten. I always let it warm up a bit when it's cold, which is good for any engine.

I won't tell you that you will be underpowered with a 60 hp. However, my 75 gives me app. 34 - 35 mph with 2 guys, equipment and a full tank of fuel. The Angler has a 32 gallon fuel tank so take that into consideration when looking at the numbers from Yamaha.

The Angler is a great boat. I've never regretted my decision to buy it.

Fred

[get the net]

You'd be right around 30 mph top end. If that is okay with you, go for it. I have a 1700 Angler with a 115 Suzuki and it does 44 max full of gear with 2 guys...

I think your right on staying with a 60 for the EFI. Once you go above 60 in the merc. 4 strokes you are basically looking at a Yamaha motor. The 115 does come with EFI, the 75 and 90 don't. I had the same dilema, I thought either 60 or 115 and not bother with the carb models in between. The suzuki offers gear reduction which allows the 115 to troll down similar to a 40-60. It is still a little on the fast side if you troll a lot. For a tiller I'd say a 60 would be a nice set up on that 1700 Angler...

[eRIC]

oFF THE ORIGINAL POST BUT i WAS WONDERING WHAT PITCH PROP YOU HAVE ON THAT SUZUKI 115. i HAVE THE ANGLER 1700 SS WITH A 115 MERC 4 STROKE AND GET ABOUT 44 ALSO. TURNS ABOUT 6000RPM AT TOP END. eRIC

[get the net]

23 pitch stainless prop

[steve_heath]

I have owned three different Lund tiller boats. The first one I did not max out the HP for the tiller. That was a 1980 Lund Pro Angler with a 35HP Johnson. It was underpowered with more than two people and/or camping gear,etc. and regreted it until I purchased the second boat, 1990 Lund Predator with 60 HP Evinrude. The 60HP motor had plenty of power. Currently, I own a 1999 Lund 1700 Angler and have a 75 HP Merc. Like the other post, I get about 35 MPH with the 75 HP.

The Predator with 60 HP had plenty of power, but that was the max rated for the boat. I would think you would be happy with any motor 60HP or above, but if it were me, I would max out the HP on the tiller version. The console version of the 1700 Angler is rated for up to 135HP.

[Dave G]

I just bought a 2003 Lund 1675 Explorer tiller with a 70 Johnson 4-stroke (really a Suzuki). I researched these two EFI motors for a whole year – reading every related post on several bulletin boards.

Under ideal conditions with just me in the boat and the gas tank almost empty I get into the low 40’s mph. Top speed will go down to the mid-high 30s mph with the boat heavily loaded down. It trolls down to 1.7 mph.

I could have gone with either motor but chose the Suzuki over the Merc because:

Reliability, engine design is 5 years old with very few problems
Quieter
Nicer tiller handle (longer with integrated shift & TT)
Trolls very slow (650 –700 rpm)
More low-end power
Significantly larger displacement (79ci vs 60ci)
Multi point EFI should reduce smoke to a minimum

I did like the fact that the Merc was 100lb lighter but felt the extra weigh should mean more durable parts. Although I would have been happy with either motor.

You may want to look for a Lund/Bobardier(Johnson) dealer near you.

Dave Gulczinski

[hawg]

demay--i have the 60 merc efi on the 1675 tiller. i love it. i would stay w/ your idea to stay efi. just my 2 cents but i dont think you'll stay happy if yo go up to the angler. you will need the displacement of the larger motor, but thats somewhat counteracted by the extra 100 #. if you can go to 90 i would. is 90 the max or is 75?

[eric]

Go with 75 hp.I had a 1650 explorer with a 50 (max) hp merc 4 stroke and was disappointed with ability to get on plane with a small load and top end. Based on my experience alone I would not buy a lund tiller without max HP. on the back. My 2 cents only.
Eric

[Rapaleye]

Dave G,
Just curious, are you getting your speed reading off a GPS? and what diameter and pitch prop are you running?
Jim

[Dave G]

Rapaleye,

My prop is 13.75 X 15. The speed was from my depth finder, which has been compared with GPS on several occasions and has been accurate.

I think the 1675 tiller/70hp Suzuki would plane better at 20-25 mph with more weight up front, therefore I am currently moving both batteries to the front of the boat, even though my 24 volt electric trolling motor is transom mounted. I think 40 mph is too fast for this boat (especially in rough water) and am willing to sacrifice some top end speed for better rough water control at slower speeds.


Dave Gulczinski

[demay]

I appreciate all the thoughtful responses to my original post. My thanks to everyone.

Over the weekend, I decided to go ahead with the 1675 Explorer with the 60 hp Merc 4 stroke EFI. Overall, the EFI and lesser weight of the Mercury were the deciding factors. The Angler is a better designed boat, but I know I will still be happy with the Explorer.
Looking back through the archives of past posts, almost all of the guys who went with this combination were happy with their choice.

Dave

[4reel]

Did you consider a 60 4 stroke? I am looking at on presently on a 1650 explorer.