Boat Motor Recommendation

[RyanbabZ71]

Ok for a Bass boat what do you all recommend for a boat motor

 

Heres the options

 

MOTOR UPGRADES

 

Motor Estimated Speed** Price Difference

Mercury 9.9 EL  -  $-370*

Mercury 9.9 EL 4-STR   -  $-210*

Mercury 25 EL 26 - 28 Standard

Mercury 25 EL 4-STR BF 25 - 27 $ 1,040*

Mercury 25 ELPT 4-STR BF 25 - 27 $ 1,390*

Mercury 40 ELPT 4-STR 30 - 32 $ 3,055*

Mercury 40 ELPTO 31 - 33 $ 1,400*

Mercury 50 ELPT 4-STR 32 - 34 $ 3,945*

Mercury 50 ELPTO 33 - 35 $ 2,045*

[Firetiger(MN)]

In my opinion and many other's, you should always max the motor to the boat's rating.  If it says rated to 60HP, get a 60.  I'm not sure the type of conditions you will fish, but too small of a motor on a larger boat can get you in more trouble than you think.  The motor can't handle the boat's size and you cannot safely control the boat in harsh conditions.

 

 

Plus, more HP means more speed.  

[SilveradoWV]

I am not familiar with boat motors, especially the ones listed above. But we used to have a boat with a Mercury motor and it was pretty awesome and reliable, but really sucked the gas!

[Worktruck]

I have a 16' aluminum dual console fishing boat (not a bass boat but a fish and ski type) I have a 50 hp Merc on that since it was new and it does ok. I agree to put as much motor as you can afford on the boat. I know my boat iss rated to 125 hp. I just cant afford 125hp.  Mine is a 2 stroke and will push the 700 lb combo to about 35 mph. Doesn't matter if is 1 person or 4 it will still go 32 to 35.  Good Luck. Hope this helps

[Stepside Z]

Go with a 4 stroke no matter what HP you get. It is more money but the noise level and economy makes it very worth while. I was at the Baltimore boat show last weekend and I test drove a 24' Scout walkaround with a 225 Yamaha. You couldn't hear the engine idle and it was very quiet running.

[RyanbabZ71]

we have a summer cottage and are on a chain of 3 lakes.  Not harsh conditions at all.  We have a 5 or 10 mercury HP motor now and it flys.  One boat is rated fro 50Hp and the other is rated at 75.  Id like the largest motor but dont think i will ever need it.

 

I am thinking the 40HP will work out fine.

[MarkD]

Tell us more about the boat(s)...pics?

[General Lee 01]

I'm no boat expert. But I say go for the max!

 

I'm not trying to influence you into a bad decision, but I say if it's rated at (for Example) 50HP, then put the 50HP in it.

 

Kinda like putting an a 350 V8 in an S-10.You may never need it, but you'll always use it.  

[bassdog]

Ryan

 

From past experience with 2 new boats, get the biggest motor the bold will hold.  

 

On both boats I could not afford to go with the most motor and a year or two down the line I wished I did. I was in the process of trading up my 90 hp to a 150 until I found out the price. My dealer wants my 90 plus $5900 for a new 150 installed. For that money I can trade in my boat, get a new one with a 150 and come in a couple thousand cheaper....

 

If you are just going to use the boat at the camp and nowhere else, a cheaper alternative would work out good for you. If there is a slim posibilty of taking the boat elsewhere....get the bigger motor

 

Good luck  :thumb: