Hp Question 16Ft Boat

[St. Augustine]

way2slow:

My inital question here, you are correct. I was looking at a new tracker V16 Laker. With that I was entertaining the thoughts of a 9.9 or 15HP motor. The boat was rated max at 40HP.

After the great advice here, I went looking at the used market. The price of the V16 Laker with a 9.9 and a trailer was a little over $8,300. With a 15 it was more, and with a 25 or 40 much much more.

So again with the advice here, i turned to the used market. I found and bought a 1997 Bass Tracker 165 Pro. It came as a package. Trailer, fish finder, trolling motor, and a 40HP 3 stroke mercury. My only concern was the 2 stroke compared to the 4 stroke. But price mattered, and I got this boat for 4,995 out the door, threw a $1,000 down and financed the rest a $100 a month for the rest. Plus momma was real happy with the boat itself and the fact it was much much cheaper.

Anyhow, this boat is rated at 40HP max which it has. I just hope the 2 stroke thing is ok. I know the 4 strokes are quiter, but as for my first real boat outside a 12 ft V bottom that was oar powered and an ancient trolling motor, this certainly is a step up in my newbie opinion.

Any thoughts you might have on this new rig, I am 255LBS of all ears. Thanks...

[Way2slow]

I keep forgetting how much they have down rated the hulls hp ratings on these newer boats. Wasn't too long ago that same hull would have been rated for at least a 75. As far as performance, you will be much happier with the two stroke. Fuel economy and noise, the four stroke will beat it hands down. The nice part about the 40 two stroke, it's not a gas hog like the bigger motors so you won't be too bad there.

If you find you have trouble getting on plane with a full load, you can go to a smaller pitch prop and that will help greatly. A lot of people have a tendency to over prop one, thinking that the bigger prop will give it more speed. That's usually just the oposite, they actually don't, they just make the much harder to get on plane and can actually make the boat run a little slower. Also, as dorky as they look, the hydrofoils help out a lot also

At 255 and another person with live well full and the other gear, I have a feeling you are going to be wanting to try a smaller pitch prop, your wife is probably going to get tired of having to go to the front of the boat so it will get on plane. You may want to go to a smaller prop and the foil to get it to pop out of the hole.

[Diablos]

If this is your first trailerable boat, practice backing up with it till you feel comfortable. Back up how you want. Don't let people tell you that you have to use mirrors only.

I bring a pair of cheap waders with me all the time in case there is a need to get in the water. I don't like being wet from the chest down when fishing even in warm weather.

Keep a checklist in the boat for launching and pulling until it becomes second nature.

[GLADES]

Just a tip. Practice backing the boat into the water at the ramp during the weekdays or when it is not busy until you get the hang of it. Nothing worse than a newbie struggling at the ramp, and then watching his boat sink because they forgot to put in the plug. Sometimes, vertical guide poles on the end of your trailer can help you see where the trailer is as you go down the ramp. Practice backing it straight in, and 90* back in's from right and left.

A suggestion: Make yourself a to-do checklist of things so you can establish a routine...safety equipment/fishing poles/tackle box, ignition key in hand, gas/oil verified, battery charged, install the drain plug, remove the motor brace, remove the straps, etc. and then reverse the procedure as you leave.

Congrats on your first boat.

[MichBassMan]

Unplug your lights befor puting them in the lake. Allways raise your motor befor backing into the water, AND before taking it out. Go slow at first, have fun!

[Way2slow]

Ya'll are making all the great suggestions, but you are leaving out one very important one that every does at least once.

DON'T FORGET TO PUT THE PLUG IN!!

Unless it's pouring down rain, I always put the plug in when I hook to it at the house, then double check it again when I get to the lake, it's just tooooo dammmm easy to forget the thing and it can definitly raise the pucker factor when you stop for the first time and you start wondering where that water in the floor is coming from.

The motor is either being supported by the trailering supports built into it or on a transome saver. Make your standard routine to undo the tie downs, trim the motor up to get it off the supports and check the drain plug. If you feel you need to unplug the trailer connector, do that as you are headed back to the rear of the boat to do all the previous mentioned. Personally, I never unplug mine, with good lights, it's not necessary.

[Bluebasser86]

Ya'll are making all the great suggestions, but you are leaving out one very important one that every does at least once.

DON'T FORGET TO PUT THE PLUG IN!!

Unless it's pouring down rain, I always put the plug in when I hook to it at the house, then double check it again when I get to the lake, it's just tooooo dammmm easy to forget the thing and it can definitly raise the pucker factor when you stop for the first time and you start wondering where that water in the floor is coming from.

The motor is either being supported by the trailering supports built into it or on a transome saver. Make your standard routine to undo the tie downs, trim the motor up to get it off the supports and check the drain plug. If you feel you need to unplug the trailer connector, do that as you are headed back to the rear of the boat to do all the previous mentioned. Personally, I never unplug mine, with good lights, it's not necessary.

Check you're states regulations. It's illegal here in Kansas to transport your boat with a plug in the boat or livewell.