How bout an 18' with a 60hp Mercury???

[fdheld34]

I have a chance to buy a used 60hp Mercury from a local neighbor...I wanted to mount it on my boat and try out first..but neighbor said nope! Again it would be for a 1979 18'. I plan on using boat only inland and occassional offshore. Also, bought for my son to use when he gets older.
Would this be a waste of my money and not enough hp?
Should I save the money and put towards higher hp down the road when funds allow?
Any safety issues with lack of enough hp on the 18'?
Thanks in advance for any help!!
-Fred

[Snookerd]

Fred-Great to see your planning to set up the 18 for the kids. The 18 and 20 are pretty close with hp choices. I think I recall FR Frank saying he rigged them w/ 90s a lot and even a 70 once. I would wait for a 90 if you are wanting to keep the speed down.

[fdheld34]

Snookerd
Thats what I figured..I will wait for a 90. My wife also reminded me that she bought our son waterskis so I will need more hp (way down the road) for water activities etc. Just dont want him to get carried away down the road with too much speed. I had a 13' Whaler (like everyone else!) and I remember I flipped that darned thing over here in Little Lake Worth (had a 50 hp on back)...memories of that incident have now kept me away from going the Whaler route..plus too pricey!!!
Thanks for your input Snookerd...90 it is
-Fred

[McGillicuddy]

Fred,
Quit trying to fool us. I'm guessing yer boy is at least 10 years from the keys...get an etec 90 now, run as you will, and he'll have a perfectly broken in rig in 2022. I think the 60 is a bit short on gumption also

[gofastsandman]

Originally Posted by McGillicuddy

Fred,
Quit trying to fool us. I'm guessing yer boy is at least 10 years from the keys...get an etec 90 now, run as you will, and he'll have a perfectly broken in rig in 2022. I think the 60 is a bit short on gumption also

Boats just follow him home.

Some folks use Google earth.

Some folks have furry hats.

Some folks are jealous.

Cheers,
GFS

[fdheld34]

Gillie..yes right on with 10 more years...will be here before I know it! etec might go that route...
What Sandy said

[eggsuckindog]

honest 115 minimum

[spwilmot]

the problem is with weight. i have an 18 with a new honda 90 EFI. at 385 lbs it does not overload the stern and does 30 mph at wide open. I use it as a coach boat for sailing. the BEST in the San Francisco Bay when the wind and waves kick up. needed to gear down the prop size to a 15 pitch from 17 pitch however when I towed a few sailboats up wind. 15 pitch good for now. 13 was too low and i worried about over revving if i loaned the boat out. great punch however and probably would pull 12+ sailboats home if needed...

I know a 115 would have more power, however be careful of too much weight on the transom. seacrafts plane out nicely. but if overloaded at stern, kind of drives around with bow up until speed develops.

I wanted safe and reliable. didn't want stern nearly pulled under with weight of a 150 capsizing me in 5 foot chop.

Anyway 90 runs great. top speed 30 mph (garmin gps) and uses mayber 6 gallons in a whole day of coaching.

[eggsuckindog]

Dude I have a 200 Merc 2.5 that weighs in at 400 and I cruise at 3400 @28 mph and my scuppers are plugged usually, my top is 50 with a T Top, I'll trade that for 15lbs - all applications are not towing sailboats. My 18 ran well with a 115, sometimes wished I had a bit more but this is in offshore/inshore running conditions, the 130 Yami was a perfect fit ask Danny.

The hull rides better and higher on the hull with more power and therefore takes advantage of the design, its not a semi- displacement hull.

[FishStretcher]

I have a 2000 Yamaha F100 at 369lb on my 20 foot master angler. I think the 18 is a shortened 20 footer?

It pushes the boat to 33MPH with a 4 blade 12-3/4 x 17" Solas Amita stern lifting prop. I think the newer 2003 and up Yamaha F90 is the same motor and the same weight. It also doesn't terrify me when I stand in a back corner of the boat, becasue it isn't that heavy. It also gets 5 MPG or thereabouts. I see the 99-2003 carbed versions go for $1000 used up here, so something like that might be a good option.

Fr. Frank talked me into this setup and I am happy with it.