Is 60hp enough?

[blackxpress]

I'm looking at downsizing. Thinking about trading my Xpress X70 with 150 Optimax for a G3 Silver Eagle 175. Long story short, my boat's seen better days and I really don't derive much pleasure from going fast and burning gas any more. These days my main concern in a boat is fishability. I want to put in as close as possible to where I'll be fishing and use the big motor as little as possible. I want something that's easy to tow with my Toyota Tacoma and won't burn too much gas once it's on the water. I also want something that's comfortable, functional and has a nice layout for fishing. The G3 Eagle seems to fit that bill pretty well.

So here's my question. The boat I'm looking at is an '04 model that's like brand new. Real nice little boat. It has a 60hp Merc. Knowing that the boat is rated for 90hp makes me wonder if that 60 is going to be enough motor for that hull. I've always been a big believer in maxing out the HP for a given hull. I know the boat won't be a speed demon and I really don't care. 30-35 mph is plenty for my purposes. I just want to feel like the boat is performing to its potential. In other words, I want it to get on plane easily and cruise on plane without feeling like I'm over taxing the motor. Do any of you guys have a similar setup and, if so, do you feel like 60hp is sufficient for one of these hulls?

[BP in ME]

Is that a 4-stroke 60? If so I agree with your speed prediction but I'd expect a 2-stroke might do a little better than 35. As long as you're OK with the decrease in speed you will gain a few inches draft for the skinny water. Holeshot won't be scary impressive but perfectly fine. My fishing buddy used a similar set-up with a 2-stroke Yammie to water ski.

[blackxpress]

It's a 2 stroke Merc 60

[jentrick]

I had a 06 Eagle 175 with a Yamaha 60 hp 4 stroke..With a Powertech NREB 13 pitch it would run 36 mph GPS and with 2 people it would run 34 mph.It is a great hull and 60 is plenty..I saw one with a 90 and it would only run 41 mph..

[Sigma]

Your going to want to do a test drive before buying anyway ( a must do ) So see for your self. In most cases underpowered is no fun. Think about both smooth and rough conditions and having to get off a lake fast.

I had a 115 years back that was a 4 cylinder and just going down to an 80 or 90 (three cylinder) was a big gas saver. A buddy had the same rig with a 90 on his and my down size model had an 80 and he was deffinatly faster than me with just the 10hp differance with no real difference in MPG

Under powering will require more throttle and fuel to move a boat as the same boat with a little bigger motor and the power will be there if you need it.

[tallbasser]

I have an '05 Eagle 175 with a 70hp Yamaha. I bought mine used from a family member and it might have been in the water 20 times. So that being said, I didn't have an option on the hp of the motor. It does fine. With 2 people and fishing load, it runs about 34 mph gps @ 5900 rpms. It gets on plane pretty quick, and I don't have to run wide open to keep it on plane. It does fine around 5000 rpms. I hope this helps.

[Bub]

I have a 175 with a Yamaha 60 2 stroke. I get up to about 31 with two grown men and a ton of tackle. With everything empty and one person I would see about 35 or so. I run all over KY Lake and use about 5 gal per day of fuel out of my 21 gal tank. My boat hops right up on plane without a problem and is very fishable. My uncle owns a 18' Express with a 90hp and although his boat is faster, he loves fishing out of my G3. Take a test drive and see what you think

[pjkoshi]

I have a 1999 175 pro with a 75hp Yami 2 stroke which is max for the plate on that year and model. I get on pad really quick and I have had it up to 40mph GPS with just me and a full tank and most of my tackle. With 2 guys a ton of tackle, 15 rods, and a pretty full tank I get 37mph. I do not have a jackplate or any other mods for performance. I would say 60 horses would get you 35mph with a typical load.