1990 bass tracker pro 17 speed

[Bama bassin]

I've been looking at boats found a 1990 bass tracker pro 17 for a good deal only problem it only has a 20 hp 4 stroke murcury it's a 2007 engine so my question is how fast should it go with a engine that small my friend has a 75 mariner on a boat from the 90s I could probably get cheap would it work on this boat? And how fast should it go with it ? Thanks in advance!

[A-Jay]

With a 20hp motor, going anywhere 'fast' may not be part of your fishing day.

Also the current models are rated for 50hp, so hanging a 75hp may be unadvisable.

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=3878

Here's some recent forum info by @Peter Eikenberry on the subject.

 

A-Jay

[fishnkamp]

My 2010 Lowe bass boat was originally purchased and rigged special to make it run well on a specific horse powered restricted lake. It is a 17 1/2 foot long- 1000 pound hull.  It is rated for a 75 hp engine.  I installed a T&H marine trim plate called a PT 35.  Any bass boat that is under powered is going to be rough to get on plane.  The PT-35 cost $500 and gives the smaller motors trim and tilt. I then installed a Mercury 25 HP 2 stroke engine, changed props till I got it right and added an original Stingray Jr. hydrofoil fin.  My boat is a bit heavier than yours and I was using a 2 stroke carbed motor which has a better throttle response,  I had a boat that came out of the hole well, in fact in a very short burst (less than a boat length) and had a top speed of 18 mph. It ran very well even in big Tennessee lakes like Dale Hollow.  It would never beat a properly powered rig home but it was great for my use.  

 

In your case I bet you will see 15 mph, but I am more concerned with your hole shot , as I do not like a boat that takes too long to get up on plane. I think that is too unsafe.

 

Okay I did some investigating and the boat you are looking at is 17 foot long and much narrower in beam than today's boats. It only rated for a 25 Hp engine and the hull only weighs around 600 pounds. I still think it will reach around 12 to 15 mph max. Since it weighs much less than my boat fully rigged it will be able to better use the 20HP.  I would think about adding the trim tilt and a Stingray jr and enjoy it. Before I did anything I would get a ride and evaluate how it comes out of the hole and how it feels on top end.  I ran a 16 foot jon boat with a 9.9 for years on the Susquehanna river and was happy as a lark.  Fast enough is all personal choice.  For some a Bullet bass boat is not fast enough.