Minimum Horsepower Recommendation

[TangledAngler]

A friend has a 16 foot bassboat with a 45 hp Merc. He's having some problems with the motor and I suggested that he look into getting a new 4 stroke (he can afford it). He wants a 50 hp but I think that would go against manufacturer's recommendations. Am I right? The boat is rated for a 115 hp and I know there's a minimum recommendation based on rating. What is it and why do they recommend the minimium hp.

[Marty]

bump

[Bret N]

I don't know if there's a set formula for a minimum recommendation. I know some manufacturers, Crestliner, give a range of horsepower that will give acceptable perfomance for most people. Of course, there's nothing that says you can't put on less than what they recommend. I grew up in a boat that was rated for 125 hp, but we only had a 65 on it. It did just fine for 90% of what we asked it to do. Would a bigger motor have been nicer in some situations, sure but for most things we didn't need it. If your buddy was happy w/ the 45 hp 2 stroke, he'll be ecstatic about the performance of a 50 hp 4 stroke. If he wants to go faster, or pull skiers/tubers, he'll need more horsepower. Hope that helps. Bret

[WallyHunter16IL]

I have a 17ft bassboat and I wouldnt go any lower then the max, which just happens to also be a 115. I fished a tourny last week and a guy in a nitro had a 25 hp. Johnson on it and everyone had to make a 15 mile run to find fish and he just putted along! It's really your decision, if you like the motor I guess a lil motor is better then no motor! Also it depends on what kind of bassboat, if it's like a tracker aluminum a motor that size would push a boat like that just fine! But when you get into the fiberglass models they start to get pretty heavy by the time you add gas and gear. I'd tell him to go for the max! I bet as soon as he hung a 115 he would wonder what he's been doing all this time with a 40. Also, does he fish any hp restricted lakes? Maybe that could be a possible reason he wouldn't wanna upgrade? Although, I dont think any lakes have a hp limit in that size range or perhaps im wrong! Take Care!

[Stealth]

A good rule of thumb for the minimum motor size to put on a boat is 80% of the max HP rating for the hull.