Help/Opinion on Motor for 165 Alumacraft Competitor Sport

[jeffbilodeau]

I had a 165 Nav CS with a 90 zuki. I would not even consider a 70. Also, the new 165 Comp is quite a bit narrower than the Nav or the Dom. Also....if you are really set on in-floor rod storage on the Comp take a tape measure with you and find a floor model at a dealership. I had a salesman actually measure the tubes or slots and they did not cut the mustard. Did not even meet the advertised specs.
With 4 people you want as wide of a boat as possible. You can't all sit in the middle. The Nav and the Dom are about 4" wider if I recall correctly.
Just some info....not trying to swing you away from a Competitor but rather give you info so you can make the best decision for your use.

[2catch1]

I have a 165cs nav with a 90 zuki now and love it. Handles all my needs well. I do however wish it was rated for a 115. Get a 90!!!!

[Kyle Posterick]

Get yourself an etec and save about 60 lbs over the yamaha!

[NMG]

Originally Posted by jeffbilodeau

I had a 165 Nav CS with a 90 zuki. I would not even consider a 70. Also, the new 165 Comp is quite a bit narrower than the Nav or the Dom. Also....if you are really set on in-floor rod storage on the Comp take a tape measure with you and find a floor model at a dealership. I had a salesman actually measure the tubes or slots and they did not cut the mustard. Did not even meet the advertised specs.
With 4 people you want as wide of a boat as possible. You can't all sit in the middle. The Nav and the Dom are about 4" wider if I recall correctly.
Just some info....not trying to swing you away from a Competitor but rather give you info so you can make the best decision for your use.

The Competitor is 4 inches narrower than the 165 Navigator or 2 inches less on either side of centre BUT, the Navigator also has the rod storage boxes in the rear and these are not found on the Competitor. These will cut into the interior space some more on the Navigator and negate some of that extra beam. I just measured the interior space in the seating area of my 165 Competitor and it is 63.5 inches from side to side. Not sure what the Navigator is, but I'll bet it isn't significantly different.

I had my 6'10 rod in the centre locker the last time out and it fit no problem. I just went out with a tape to measure the tube and based on what it said, it SHOULDN'T have fit, LOL. The only conclusion I can make is that the minor bending of the blank when it's resting against the side of the rod tube is enough to make up the difference. A 7 footer would not fit "straight in", but I think it will the way they would actually align inside the tube as they do angle a bit when you put them in. The external rod storage on the side will fit up to 8 footers as well. If rod storage is critically important to you, I'd definitely do as jeffbliodeau says and try out the storage before you buy. I'd do this for any boat you are considering if it's a deal breaker.

[2catch1]

after originally owning an etec then going to the zuke there is no comparison. The etec has way less displacement and the much heavier 4 stroke is about 3-4mph faster on top. zuke is a 4cyl and etec is a 3cyl. Etec trolls like crap Zuki has 500 plus hours with original plugs. Enough said....4 stroke or nothin' in my book

[omc]

I have THE 2012 COMP 165 CS WITH THE F70LA, the motor will run 32mph with two people and not even trimming it out , i wanted the navigator with the 90hp but the price increase was not in my budget, the f70 and all yamaha motors are quality there is nothing "cheap" looking on it, it handles nice and for the most part i fish with one other person, i was more concerned on reliability and gas consumption , this boat sips the gas, i read the hot sheet that Yamaha did on this rig and its spot on which is what sold me on the boat.i guess if i were you id get the 90hp but you wont go wrong if you have to scale it back to the 70 either way its going to be a nice ride. good luck.

[Mark Bates]

I have the Competitor Sport with the yammi f70la and I am impressed with it. I also had the choice of the 90, but as the dealer pointed out, it was only a speed difference on 4mph. I have done 35mph on a very calm day and one passenger. So, my vote would be for the 70. I get great mileage, and I enjoy how quiet the motor runs.

[NMG]

Hi Mark,

Do you mind telling me what prop you are running? I get 31-32 MPH on my 165 Competitor with the F70 and I'm just curious about prop options. I'm running a 14 inch 13 pitch Michigan Wheel 3 blade aluminum right now. My RPM's at WOT are 6,200-6,300.