25Hp Or 50Hp?

[MichiganFishing1997]

Im having a really hard time making a decision. I have a 16ft mirrocraft, I plan on putting a floor in it and a bow mounted trolling motor on the front, plus batteries. Thats a lot of weight. Right now I have a '82 Mercury 25hp, but it seems like it will be too small. I have the option to get a '74 50hp Mercury, but I dont know if my boat can hold it.

Either way I am going to have to build a transom for my boat, it has the dipped down lower transom and I need it to be higher up for my long shaft motor. But can I make a transom that will hold the 50?

Both motors at in great shape and great running order, the 25 is tiller the 50 has controls.

Thanks,

Christian

[Scott F]

Do you know what the maximum size motor allowed on the boat is? 

[MichiganFishing1997]

No its old and doesn't have the little plate that tells you that. But im going to have to build a raised up reinforced transom either way.

[Way2slow]

You have to remember, horsepower wise, that 50 is only about a 42 by today's rating method. The big difference is going to be the weight. Depending on the gauge aluminum, if it's a heavy gauge, the hp is not going to be a problem. I ran a 50 Johnson on a 15ft console type Jon for years.

[Scott F]

A 16 foot boat designed for a tiller motor that came with bench seats is only rated for a 25hp motor no matter what you do to the transom. Putting a 50 on that would be very dangerous and probably against the law. 

[Rolltide09]

I have a 1650 xpress all welded thats rated for a 40hp. That being said when I first purchased the boat I put a 30hp four stroke on it and it worked fine. Last year I wanted more power and speed so I was stuck between a 40hp or a 50hp. The only reason was the 40 and 50 weighed exactly the same but In the end I ended up puttin a 50hp Tohatsu two smoke on there and I am so glad I did. Top end is right at 40mph and I never have to trim the motor down to get on plane no matter what load I am carrying. Would not have done it any other way.