Bass Tracker 90 HP vs 115 HP ?????
Fishing partner has a 2002 18.5 Bass Tracker that is rated for 90 HP. Which it currently has installed.
He's thinking of upgrading to a 115 HP motor.
The question is:
By making this swap (90 HP vs 115 HP) will he have any issues regarding the structure of the boat ?
Any other possible problems that could result ?
Thanks in advance for your assistance ....
Not regarding the structure of the boat butbetter not let insurance find out if he has a claim, he'll never get coverage if he lets it be known he exceeded the max HP of the boat.
2020 Ranger RT 198p, Mercury 150 HP 4 stroke, Minn Kota 80# Fortrex
it's illegal and a lot of money for 25hp and maybe 10 mph
If it is a 185 it is probably rated for a 115 and I'm sure it can handle it just fine. Sounds like a good upgrade to me. Probably would gain 5-8 mph or so and get that security that a new engine offers.
Over rated boat, one kind of accident = lawsuit
Last edited by oldgoat188; 04-26-2017 at 05:39 AM.
Any accident will likely be pinned on your buddy due to over powered boat. My state checks, instant ticket.
2016 Ranger RT178 white
75 4S Merc, VesselView Mobile
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I would love to see a ticket or lawsuit from a case where someone had an overpowered boat. And not hearsay from my mamas uncles best friends cousins baby mama. Mine is insured and was also installed by one of the most known and reputable marine shops in the area and they have been doing it since before I was born. They even run an Alison that is seriously over powered with nitrous on top of that.
One of my friends had a very bad accident a couple years back and was about 75hp over. Was in the hospital for a while. No tickets and his boat was replaced. I have observed that most that feel so strongly against it have no hard first hand knowledge of the subject but have every right to be overcautious.
That being said of coarse there is always a risk when you modify anything and I would never condone it. So tell your partner to just be careful when making that decision.
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I think his boat is rated for a 115. Not sure why everyone thinks it would be over powered.
Read the ops post, 2002 18.5 bass tracker rated for 90hp. That is why everyone thinks it would be over powered.Originally Posted by Ship
2016 Ranger RT178 white
75 4S Merc, VesselView Mobile
Simrad Go7, Baystar hydro, SpitFire X7 17p
Omg Sir, Ruuuuunnnnn, Trump is gonna send the Hit Squad to Get ya if you have put a 115 on.....My Gosh, alot of Marine lawyers and State Law Makers in here that have NO IDEA what they are Spewing.....If its a Carbed 90 to a 115 4stroke the Power may not be that Strong
Oops missed that. I thought 185's were rated for a 115. At one time 175's were rated for 90's.
Realistically, about 3-5mph. Optimax 90s have 2.33 gears, compared to 2.07 for the 115. Pretty sure the 185 was rated for 115. If it's pre-Opt, it's a lighter motor.
2015 Ranger RT188 DC; BassCat Storage Box; Mercury Optimax 115ProXS;
19" Spitfire X7; Vessel View Mobile; Minn Kota Ultrex 80; GForce Handle;
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This question comes up a lot and is like asking which brand motor to get. It's up to him what he wants to do. To me the risks outweigh the rewards.
I have a 2002 Trident 175 magnum aluminum and it is rated for a 125, I'm running a 90 carbed Merc on it and WOT speed is about 45 GPS, tournament ready. Just saying,
25 extra horse and 3-5 mph extra isnt worth the hassle or money. Then he will also have to try 3-4 different props before he is happy, and probably a jackplate. Instead of upgrading my 60 to a 75 and then having computer flash to a 115, Jack plate, prop, reeds. I would have been ahead to buy a boat that was rated for a 115 with a 115 already on it. Just my opinion, i love how my boat runs FINALLY though
Andy
2004 Pro Craft 192 SuperPro
Old days .. and still maybe today ?? lot of tourneys guys put a smaller HP Motor Lid on the Bigger Installed Motor ..
Yep. A new set of stickers will do the job.
So did the op repower? Has anyone else, if so how you like the 115 four stroke?
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I have a 2001 PT185 and my USCG placard says that it is rated for either a 125 or a 135 HP motor. I can't remember which one right now but I do know that it was at least 10 HP over what I was planning on putting on my boat should the 90 HP that is on there now die on me. My thoughts were to go with a 115, and with that cushion I knew the hull would handle it.
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