New boat motor

[Further North]

Originally Posted by wellpastcold

They sure do. For way less than the maxed out horsepower boats. The percentage of retained value drops substantially on underpowered boats. You are exactly right though everything sells at a steep enough discount.

...but they paid way less up front as well...

I would challenge that "The percentage of retained value drops substantially" without objective evidence of that.

It has not been my experience at all.

Originally Posted by pale ryder

The majority of Skeeter mx 1825s and Ranger 1880s are sold with 150s even though they are rated 200 and 175.
I see used ones selling for near the cost of new.

That is exactly what I see.

There is a big difference between what is being characterized as "under powered" and more than enough to get the job done. Running a 90 HP motor on an 18 ft. aluminum boat rated for 150 HP might be under powered. Running a 140 on that same boat is not.

I also challenge that maxing out a boat's power rating is the most efficient and effective way to run a boat. Doing that is not true of of any other motorized vehicle we buy...why would it be unique to boats?

[bbundy]

Originally Posted by Further North

...but they paid way less up front as well...

I would challenge that "The percentage of retained value drops substantially" without objective evidence of that.

It has not been my experience at all.



That is exactly what I see.

There is a big difference between what is being characterized as "under powered" and more than enough to get the job done. Running a 90 HP motor on an 18 ft. aluminum boat rated for 150 HP might be under powered. Running a 140 on that same boat is not.

I also challenge that maxing out a boat's power rating is the most efficient and effective way to run a boat. Doing that is not true of of any other motorized vehicle we buy...why would it be unique to boats?

FWIW I run a 115hp on boat rated for 200hp. I have no interest in running 50mph across the lake, I do however reap the benefits from less upfront cost, less cost if the motor breaks, less fuel cost, and I can troll at a very low and manageable speed, I also don't have the added weight of of an extra battery and power tiller steering pump. I can still snap the boat on plane with 4 guys and run around 38mph. More isn't always better, depending on what you want to do with the boat. To the original poster depending on what you want the boat to do look at the 150 you might be surprised what that 25hp cost in the long run.

[REW]

I will have to go along with the crowd that advocates mounting the maximum rated hp engine on the back of the boat.

Yes, it is more expensive. Yes, it costs more to repair if it breaks.

But - and there are a lot of buts

When it comes time to cruising across the lake at 35 mph, the maximum hp engine is likely running at 1/2 throttle just sipping fuel. But an undersized motor is running at 35 mph at maximum throttle setting - working the motor hard and sucking fuel.

Then, if the time comes when a storm is beginning to blow in and you want to get clear of the storm and the lake as quickly as possible, you can firewall the throttle on the big motor and likely get back to safety in 1/2 the time of a much smaller motor.

But, everyone has different needs and desires. Do what works for you and those close to you.

Good luck

[pale ryder]

Originally Posted by REW

I will have to go along with the crowd that advocates mounting the maximum rated hp engine on the back of the boat.

Yes, it is more expensive. Yes, it costs more to repair if it breaks.

But - and there are a lot of buts

When it comes time to cruising across the lake at 35 mph, the maximum hp engine is likely running at 1/2 throttle just sipping fuel. But an undersized motor is running at 35 mph at maximum throttle setting - working the motor hard and sucking fuel.

Then, if the time comes when a storm is beginning to blow in and you want to get clear of the storm and the lake as quickly as possible, you can firewall the throttle on the big motor and likely get back to safety in 1/2 the time of a much smaller motor.

But, everyone has different needs and desires. Do what works for you and those close to you.

Good luck

That simply is not true.
Below is links to performance reports of a Skeeter SL 1900. I believe it is the exact same boat on the same day. The only difference is the motor and prop. F150 with 13-1/4 dia. 20 pitch 4 blade vs F200 with 14-1/2 dia. 21 pitch 3 blade.
At 34.2 mph the F150 gets 4.89 mpg, the F200 at 35.7 gets 4.82 mph.
Top speed is 54.8 for the F200 and 50.8 for the F150.

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...00-f200txr.pdf

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...00-f150txr.pdf

[pale ryder]

Here is a Skeeter ZX 22 bay.
F150 vs VF250.
Most of the "max it out" crowd would say a 150 on a boat rated for 250 is under-powered. But is it ? Doesn't look that way to me.
F150 at 33.9 mph is 4.24 mpg. Top speed of 46.4.
VF250 at 33.0 mph is 4.23 mph. Top speed of 59.2.

So, we can lay to rest the myth that more hp = much better mpg.

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...-28-10_bay.pdf

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...-28-10_bay.pdf

[Further North]

Originally Posted by pale ryder

That simply is not true.
Below is links to performance reports of a Skeeter SL 1900. I believe it is the exact same boat on the same day. The only difference is the motor and prop. F150 with 13-1/4 dia. 20 pitch 4 blade vs F200 with 14-1/2 dia. 21 pitch 3 blade.
At 34.2 mph the F150 gets 4.89 mpg, the F200 at 35.7 gets 4.82 mph.
Top speed is 54.8 for the F200 and 50.8 for the F150.

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...00-f200txr.pdf

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...00-f150txr.pdf

Originally Posted by pale ryder

Here is a Skeeter ZX 22 bay.
F150 vs VF250.
Most of the "max it out" crowd would say a 150 on a boat rated for 250 is under-powered. But is it ? Doesn't look that way to me.
F150 at 33.9 mph is 4.24 mpg. Top speed of 46.4.
VF250 at 33.0 mph is 4.23 mph. Top speed of 59.2.

So, we can lay to rest the myth that more hp = much better mpg.

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...-28-10_bay.pdf

http://yamahaoutboards.com/sites/def...-28-10_bay.pdf

Duuuude...you can't go around throwing facts on the fire. That takes all the fun out of it.

Keep up the good work.

[pale ryder]

Originally Posted by Further North

Duuuude...you can't go around throwing facts on the fire. That takes all the fun out of it.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks.

I hope I didn't insult anyone, but I don't want people making decisions based on inaccurate information.
It may or may not be easier to sell a used maxed out boat. It also may of may not be easier to sell a used boat with a 4-stroke. But who cares ? I buy boats for me not the next owner, and I have sold all my previous boats without much trouble.
So, everyone should get whatever best fits their needs and budget.
For some that is the fastest boat they can get. For others they are better off with a less costly outboard and spending the difference on upgraded electronics or whatever.

[Further North]

Originally Posted by pale ryder

So, everyone should get whatever best fits their needs and budget.

That's it, right there. Everything else is just static and noise.

[rdg04578]

Originally Posted by Further North

Duuuude...you can't go around throwing facts on the fire. That takes all the fun out of it.

Keep up the good work.

I always liked this web site when comparing motors for fuel consumption--and 2 strokes are surprisingly fuel efficient when compared to the 4 strokes.
http://www.boat-fuel-economy.com/fuel-consumption-chart

[doubleheader]

I have had two Verados and have had only one minor fuel pump problem in over 10 years. You can't go wrong with one, but if it were me I would hang the Mercury 150 4 stroke on the back, or the 175 assuming one is announced.