1997 Cajun Outboard Inquiry

[NickW]

Hello, I picked up a 1997 Cajun Bass Boat without a motor. I want to hang a 135 Honda Four Stroke on it but I’m concerned about the weight. The owner’s manual says the boat is rated for 150HP. But that’s 1997 two stroke data, because modern four strokes are much heavier than two strokes I was wondering if the Honda would be too heavy. The owner’s manual does not state a max outboard weight just the 150hp max. Thanks for your time.

Nick

[Fishing Rhino]

While weight may be a factor, it's the "thrust" of the engine that is taken into account when determining horsepower ratings for boats. There are all manner of "add ons" that increase the weight of a motor hanging off the transom. Even though it may be aluminum, the bolt on mounting brackets for Power-Poles plus the units themselves add several pounds hanging on the transom of a bass boat.

My guess would be that you would sink the boat by hanging weight on the transom, long before you would break the transom. It isn't the hanging weight, it's the torque (twisting action) of the motor's thrust that is critical.

[Nitrofreak]

While weight may be a factor, it's the "thrust" of the engine that is taken into account when determining horsepower ratings for boats. There are all manner of "add ons" that increase the weight of a motor hanging off the transom. Even though it may be aluminum, the bolt on mounting brackets for Power-Poles plus the units themselves add several pounds hanging on the transom of a bass boat.

My guess would be that you would sink the boat by hanging weight on the transom, long before you would break the transom. It isn't the hanging weight, it's the torque (twisting action) of the motor's thrust that is critical.

While I agree with Rhino's post here another factor to concider is towing, yes, the torque is a key factor for the transom while in the water but the hanging weight becomes a factor while trailered, a lot of the weight is absorbed with any transom mounted outboard when the crutch support is used, but if it only has the lever type lock then the transom has to support almost the entire weight of the outboard as it is bouncing up and down the road, that can add stress to the transom.

Unless there is damage to the transom, there should not be a problem with hanging a little extra weight off of it, find out the specs of the 150, the weight will vary a little between different makes of each engine and compare that to the current weight of the engine you wish to install.

[NickW]

Thanks for the information. Yes, now in hindsight it would be the trailered weight on the transom that would be more of a concern. I compared the two strokes of the late 90’s to the four strokes of today and modern four strokes weigh about 75lbs more than the older two strokes. I would have to drop down to 90hp to roughly equal the weight of 1990 era 150hp two stroke. Perhaps I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill, just didn’t want to tear up my boat.

[fmoore]

Don't worry about it. If the transom is sound and in good condition it won't matter. However, a heavier motor may expose a weak spot in the transom's armor if it is in fact weak.