I started off with 17' Ranger with 115mer. That on its best day would do 47mph. Like stated above for tournaments you are in the way at 47mph. I have been passed on turns inside and outside at the same time. I hold my line and they would pass and go. I have just updated my boat to 18' 518c with 200 mer. Now I am 67 to 70mph. Only time I open it up is on tournaments. I cruse around prefishing or fun fishing @ 45 to 50mph. Not to mention. More motor = Bigger boat = more storage. The more storage is what I really needed.