618, 150 vs 175 hp

[JackJ]

On a 618, 150 Pro XS vs 175 Pro XS. Would top speed be the only difference or is it a little under powered with a 150 for hole shot, etc.
Would gas mileage difference be noticeable?

I keep seeing dealers putting 150's on them, which I know to keep price down a little. I just have problem not maxing out the HP, but wanted your opinions if you would really notice it much if you weren't worried about the few extra MPH.

[MJL]

How fast do you want to go? My 618 with a 150 Pro XS, with just me, and without livewells filled, can hit about 62. With a partner and wells filled, about 58. That's fast enough for me.

[Ray Co. Hank]

^ he is right on. With the 175 add 3-5mph to those numbers. I had a 618/150 for 5 years and it was a great rig. In hind sight, I would have opted for the 175 if giving the chance again. Either would be fine as long as it suites you. 618 is a great boat that thinks it's a 19'r!!

[davidsa]

How fast do you want to go? My 618 with a 150 Pro XS, with just me, and without livewells filled, can hit about 62. With a partner and wells filled, about 58. That's fast enough for me.

x2

My hole shot with a 22p prop is great. I was out with a guide last week in my boat and he was driving. He asked me if I had a 200 on it. An extra 4mph is not worth much to me so I prefer the less expensive fuel sipping 150hp. This past trip I put 10.5 hours on the boat an burnt 31 gallons of gas and a little less then 1 gallon of oil. 8 of my hours I was running the boat 45 plus.

[clarker2000]

I am running a 175 pro xs on my 2015 618 dual console. I have a tempest plus 24 with all vent plugs pulled. Full load, livewells filled, full gas, two guys, all tackle, cooler filled I am hitting 67 mph on a gps and the hole shot is great. With just me and a lighter load I cant get above 69.5. That is my max so far in optimum conditions. This rig cruises with easy in the low 60's.

[lamoon78]

Always max your HP better for resale down the road.

[JackJ]

I think most missed my point, original message said aside from top speed what would be advatange/disadvantage. Would it feel like its lugging at all, etc? At 60 mph would a 175 get better gas mileage than a 150?

I knew resell could be a factor later on for sure.

One dealer told me no noticeable difference other than top end speed, but I wasn't sure if that was just a salesman talking to sell the boat he had with the 150.

[davidsa]

I can only speculate but I think the only substantial difference would be top end speed. If you consistently want to run in the 60's then you need the 175 which is really like a 190hp motor. If you typically run in the 50's then the 150 is fine. The 150hp is roughly a 167hp motor if I recall some test results.

Since the motors are mechanically almost identical fuel efficiency if both were pushing say 50mph would be very similar in my opinion

[idbefishing]

hole shot would be better because of the higher HP.

[Nickl]

I have a 175 on mine I made the mistake and under powered 1 of my other boats they will not ever perform they way they should.Down prop to get the hole shot you want slows down cruising speed .Wont handle heaver loads as good .Most of the time I run 50 to 55 .Just a lot easier on the motor.

[comboman]

I think a 618 will take a 200. that is its max h.p.

[ShawnD]

I think a 618 will take a 200. that is its max h.p.

Nope. 175Hp is its max Hp rating..

[JackJ]

That's what I was thinking. I will for sure wait for a 175.