leafs4ever Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Made a purchase at the boat show, Princecraft 167 Sport (16.5 ft) and just finalizing the motor. Boat weights 1090 lbs and I was just wondering if I should pay an additional $1000 to go to the 115 hp, which is max rating. Both Mercury motors. Any other thoughts on options would be greatly appreciated. Just getting back into fishing (and some family boating activities) since my Dad passed in 1993 so it's a big learning curve for me. This is a great forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lookinforwalleye Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I had a 90 on a similar alumacraft boat and the 90 was fine..a little extra hp is never a bad thing. The extra grand will get you a nice electronics upgrade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garnet Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) The easy answer is boat's run best at max HP. I quit selling boats at the boat show because you need to sell these under hp, under trailer, crap fish finders and 12volt trolling motors to people that are not going to be happy. There was a thread at the start of the boat show about what to expect, try to fined it. It's on pg 3 Toronto Boat Show Edited January 22, 2014 by Garnet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishing4Tails Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Always max out hp .. Boat run better that way ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I run a 17.5 Crestliner with a 90HP Johnson... 42mph all day long with upto 4 people... If its only $1000 for the extra ponies... Go for it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 You definitely want the 115. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lape0019 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I would get the 115 for the price difference. You will run fine with the 90 when you are alone or fishing, but if it is going to be used as a familly boat, it will bog down when everyone is in it. You will have a harder time getting out of the whole and your max speed at WOT will be affected more with the 90 than with the 115. You will also always regrett not maxing it out in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade67 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 90 if fine for a boat that size. It not like the package had a 60 on it! Spend the extra on electronics or an bow mount trolling motor, perhaps with ipilot! The 90 will be easier on fuel and the transom in the long run. Plenty to pull up a water skier.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishindevil Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 always get the max hp !!!!! better to have it than always wish you had it !!!!! for an extra grand yes !!!!!!! :good: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 90 if fine for a boat that size. It not like the package had a 60 on it! Spend the extra on electronics or an bow mount trolling motor, perhaps with ipilot! The 90 will be easier on fuel and the transom in the long run. Plenty to pull up a water skier.... The 90 and the 115 are identical... Same dry weight and dimensions, only difference I'm guessing is in the tuning. As for fuel savings? Maybe only at WOT, but it will take you a LONG time to see that $1000 in fuel savings. I'd rather have the extra ponies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade67 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I would agree if the boat was 17.5 or greater.... . Wait a second here!...Are we talking an OptiMax or a four stroker? If its a fourstroke, then yes, get the 115. If its an opti, 90 is plenty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs4ever Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Sorry, talking four stroke motors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade67 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Well then it is a no brainer, ..go for the 115! Sorry for the conflicting suggestions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 My buddy has the same boat with a 90 2 stroke and its a DOG to get on plane. Not bad once it up on top, but takes forever to get up and go. 3 guys and fishing gear, we have to put a guy in the bow to get on plane. Honestly, I dont think the 115 will be much better, but i'd definitly suggest getting it. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nipfisher Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Get the 115hp, and I will trade you my 1993 Yammy 90hp and a thousand bucks for your Merc. I don't really like Mercs but what are friends for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade67 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 My 16.5 lund moves pretty well with an old 70 johnson on the back. Having the correct prop pitch is important. Carrying a full load you may still want to have a little more balast placed in the bow! (Who has the most mass, to the bow with you, or I'll make you walk the plank!) Good on you for rekindling as well as continuing the tradition! Good luck. ------------------- done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misfish Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Four stroke Pfft. No hole shot. Opti all the way for me. Grats on the new toy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 (edited) No hole shot? Dude, I need to give you a ride (Especially with my spare prop on, lol!) Edited January 22, 2014 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs4ever Posted January 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Thanks everyone for the prompt responses. All very valid points, I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and knowledge. My wife not so much .... yes I changed the order to a 115 hp. She's okay though we're going on a cruise this weekend! I'm a bit of an opportunist. Really looking forward to belonging to this forum. Take care, it's cold out there today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 I have an 18' Fisher that maxes out at 115hp. I bought it new with a 90 2stroke and have just upgraded to a 115 4stroke. Performance and speed is pretty much the same between the motors. So if you're talking either a 90 or 115 4 stroke you should see a fair difference with the 115. As said both motors weigh the same so that is not an issue. If you notice that when you get your new toy out on the lake that there are any performance/handling issues stick a set of Smart Tabs on and you will be amazed at how well they work for so little money. http://www.nauticusinc.com/smart_tabsSX_automatic_trim_tabs.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captpierre Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 My buddy has the same boat with a 90 2 stroke and its a DOG to get on plane. Not bad once it up on top, but takes forever to get up and go. 3 guys and fishing gear, we have to put a guy in the bow to get on plane. Honestly, I dont think the 115 will be much better, but i'd definitly suggest getting it. S. Agreed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davey buoy Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Agreed I'm thinking resale value as well down the road wouldn't hurt as well.Bigger is most times better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lape0019 Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Another item to note is the pitch of your prop. I have a 17p and a 19p. I hit about 38mph @ 5500 rpm and can get up to 6000rpm with the 17p and I am up and out of the water almost as fast as I hit the throttle. With the 19p on, I will hit 40mph at 5100 rpm but getting on plain is a lot more difficult and I am unable to hit the 6000rpm redline. At about 5200, the prop starts taking air and has to be trimmed back down. Selecting the appropriate pitch will give you better performance. I only have aluminum props, but if you want some more performance, you can upgrade to stainless. Oh and the 4 strokes are all the same from 75 to 115. The difference between the 75 and 90 is the program on the ECM. The 115 has a different lower unit ratio and a restricter ring under the air filter is removed. Just thought I would throw that out there. Adam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted January 22, 2014 Report Share Posted January 22, 2014 Good decision going to the 115, for a grand it is a no brainer. Congratulations and welcome aboard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leafs4ever Posted January 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 23, 2014 Thanks again everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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