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Author Topic:   Maximum HP for 17' Montauk

JKE posted 07-29-2009 06:42 PM ET (US)
I recently purchased a 1986 Montauk and wonder if I can safely repower with a 115 hp Yamaha.
bloller posted 07-29-2009 08:19 PM ET (US)
Every once in a while I will spot a 16'/17' Whaler with a 115hp outboard. So it is not unheard of at all. I would guess that if performs excellent when running a full load of passengers and gear. I would also guess that it can be a bit squirrley with a light load.
I don't think you would have a problem with local law enforcement, but it might be a bit difficult to get insurance.
Jeff posted 07-29-2009 09:32 PM ET (US)
The max capacity plate rating for a 17 Montauk is 100hp. That said many have put 115's on a 17 Montauk hull.
Each state is different about powering a hull beyond it's rated capacity. This is main regonised for hulls under 20' in lenght.
Insurance is not an problem so long as you are up front about what you are insuring and you are doing business with a knowledgible company / agency.
Is a 115 to much for the boat. I do not think so personally. That said, with hulls that I have owned which are powered beyond it's rated capacity I am VERY selective about who can operate the boat.
Miestrol posted 07-30-2009 03:22 AM ET (US)
[Apparently began a new thread instead of replying in this one.]
Tom W Clark posted 07-30-2009 09:36 AM ET (US)
Powering the 16'-7" hulls with 115 HP motors is very common. 140 HP are not uncommon either and I've seen a few with 150 and 175 HP.
The boat can take the extra power, no problem. The question is: can the operator?
Hilinercc posted 07-30-2009 09:53 AM ET (US)
I had a buddy of mine who had a Nauset with a 135 Evinrude on it back in the 70's, the boat had no problem. Of course, all the OMC's from 85hp to 135-140 hp were all the same engines anyway in size and weight.
I think it'd be more tricky today with the 4 strokes, that Merc 4 stroke 90 is a hog comapred to the older 2-stroke 90's, I saw a 90 Honda on an old Nauset this july 4th, it just didn't look right on the boat, way too big (and heavy)
dneal33 posted 07-30-2009 10:27 AM ET (US)
I had a 1987 115 2 stroke Yamaha on my 17 foot Newport for ten years. The engine was a bit heavy but I installed my 28 gallon fuel tank under the console and the static trim was great.
It was a 50 mph+ Whaler and was abit spooky at times,other that that it was a great setup. I did not loan it out to others because of the speed it was capable of.
I know a guy in the Keys with a 1986 Montauk with a 150 2 stroke Yamaha, Iv'e not witnessed his boat on the water, but he says it's just fine.
My Newport has had a F100 Yamaha 4 stroke on it now for 9 years and has been great.
Tohsgib posted 07-30-2009 12:27 PM ET (US)
Had a guy at a rendezvous with a 200 Yamaha on one. 115 no problem. If insured, let them know. If not, have fun.
rivers96 posted 08-05-2009 02:12 PM ET (US)
The Johnson SPL 112 on my 86 Montauk is a splendid source of power (when it's working properly...) Use with caution, as you could get into trouble. But I wouldn't go much higher without a lot of experience with these sorts of things (just like when you hear about people totaling their Ferraris or Porsches - not everyone can use these wisely....)
I bought a Honda 90 (in pieces), and am thinking about replacing the 2-stroke. However, the weight difference is fairly significant (it even feels like it's too much..somewhere around 75-100 lbs more for the Honda, I think...
Best of luck - be sure to get out and use your boat - it makes life that much better...
Jessielove posted 08-05-2009 08:50 PM ET (US)
I recall seeing a Montauk with a custom bracket and a pair of 70 Evinrudes. Guy used it as a towboat I believe. He said it was good for about 38 mph. I was expecting a lot more, but then he explained he had it propped for towing torque and not speed. Probably good for 48+ mph if propped differently.
The owner reported no problems with 140 hp; but, then again, he was not running it at high speed.
L H G posted 08-05-2009 09:08 PM ET (US)
Call your Insurance Agent first. There are not many companies left that will take an overpowered boat.
The problem that I am seeing with the insurance companies, is the greatly increased weight of the 3-star engines.
In the old days, you could put a 115HP Merc inline 6 or OMC V-4 on a 16' Nauset, and the engine weighed the same as a 90, about 300#. Now a 4-stroke 115 Yamaha weighs 410#, but goes just as fast. That's a lot more weight on the transom to cause stability problems at high speed and in rough water, meaning more chance of an accident.
OIA posted 08-06-2009 01:12 AM ET (US)
I asked a similar question regarding the 115 E-Tec on a 17-Montauk not to long ago and received a lot of great responses. The most logical answer:
The boat can definately handle the HP and the extra power is great for waterskiing and other sports requiring greater torque. The higher top end speed is also nice.
You can find a local agent who will insure the boat. However, a problem may arise if there is an accident. The other party's insurance may not cover the damage because the motor is over rated for the boat.
So, a 17-foot bass boat can scream along with a 200 hp ouboard. How do we raise the HP rating on the Montauk?
pglein posted 08-06-2009 05:29 PM ET (US)

quote:
Insurance is not an problem so long as you are up front about what you are insuring and you are doing business with a knowledgible company / agency.
I would take issue with this. When I bought my Outrage, I accidetally provided my insurance company with the incorrect HIN, but the correct serial number for my engine. This led them, initially, to beleive that I had purchased a boat rated for only 115hp but powered with a 150hp engine. At first, there was no problem, but month later I received a notice that my policy was being cancelled because I had installed an engine that exceeded the safety rating. I quickly discovered the error and had it corrected.
However, had I actually been attempting to insure a boat powered above the horsepower rating, they would have rejected my policy. My insurance company is State Farm. I do not consider them to be unknowledgible.

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Author	Topic: Maximum HP for 17' Montauk
JKE	posted 07-29-2009 06:42 PM ET (US) I recently purchased a 1986 Montauk and wonder if I can safely repower with a 115 hp Yamaha.
bloller	posted 07-29-2009 08:19 PM ET (US) Every once in a while I will spot a 16'/17' Whaler with a 115hp outboard. So it is not unheard of at all. I would guess that if performs excellent when running a full load of passengers and gear. I would also guess that it can be a bit squirrley with a light load. I don't think you would have a problem with local law enforcement, but it might be a bit difficult to get insurance.
Jeff	posted 07-29-2009 09:32 PM ET (US) The max capacity plate rating for a 17 Montauk is 100hp. That said many have put 115's on a 17 Montauk hull. Each state is different about powering a hull beyond it's rated capacity. This is main regonised for hulls under 20' in lenght. Insurance is not an problem so long as you are up front about what you are insuring and you are doing business with a knowledgible company / agency. Is a 115 to much for the boat. I do not think so personally. That said, with hulls that I have owned which are powered beyond it's rated capacity I am VERY selective about who can operate the boat.
Miestrol	posted 07-30-2009 03:22 AM ET (US) [Apparently began a new thread instead of replying in this one.]
Tom W Clark	posted 07-30-2009 09:36 AM ET (US) Powering the 16'-7" hulls with 115 HP motors is very common. 140 HP are not uncommon either and I've seen a few with 150 and 175 HP. The boat can take the extra power, no problem. The question is: can the operator?
Hilinercc	posted 07-30-2009 09:53 AM ET (US) I had a buddy of mine who had a Nauset with a 135 Evinrude on it back in the 70's, the boat had no problem. Of course, all the OMC's from 85hp to 135-140 hp were all the same engines anyway in size and weight. I think it'd be more tricky today with the 4 strokes, that Merc 4 stroke 90 is a hog comapred to the older 2-stroke 90's, I saw a 90 Honda on an old Nauset this july 4th, it just didn't look right on the boat, way too big (and heavy)
dneal33	posted 07-30-2009 10:27 AM ET (US) I had a 1987 115 2 stroke Yamaha on my 17 foot Newport for ten years. The engine was a bit heavy but I installed my 28 gallon fuel tank under the console and the static trim was great. It was a 50 mph+ Whaler and was abit spooky at times,other that that it was a great setup. I did not loan it out to others because of the speed it was capable of. I know a guy in the Keys with a 1986 Montauk with a 150 2 stroke Yamaha, Iv'e not witnessed his boat on the water, but he says it's just fine. My Newport has had a F100 Yamaha 4 stroke on it now for 9 years and has been great.
Tohsgib	posted 07-30-2009 12:27 PM ET (US) Had a guy at a rendezvous with a 200 Yamaha on one. 115 no problem. If insured, let them know. If not, have fun.
rivers96	posted 08-05-2009 02:12 PM ET (US) The Johnson SPL 112 on my 86 Montauk is a splendid source of power (when it's working properly...) Use with caution, as you could get into trouble. But I wouldn't go much higher without a lot of experience with these sorts of things (just like when you hear about people totaling their Ferraris or Porsches - not everyone can use these wisely....) I bought a Honda 90 (in pieces), and am thinking about replacing the 2-stroke. However, the weight difference is fairly significant (it even feels like it's too much..somewhere around 75-100 lbs more for the Honda, I think... Best of luck - be sure to get out and use your boat - it makes life that much better...
Jessielove	posted 08-05-2009 08:50 PM ET (US) I recall seeing a Montauk with a custom bracket and a pair of 70 Evinrudes. Guy used it as a towboat I believe. He said it was good for about 38 mph. I was expecting a lot more, but then he explained he had it propped for towing torque and not speed. Probably good for 48+ mph if propped differently. The owner reported no problems with 140 hp; but, then again, he was not running it at high speed.
L H G	posted 08-05-2009 09:08 PM ET (US) Call your Insurance Agent first. There are not many companies left that will take an overpowered boat. The problem that I am seeing with the insurance companies, is the greatly increased weight of the 3-star engines. In the old days, you could put a 115HP Merc inline 6 or OMC V-4 on a 16' Nauset, and the engine weighed the same as a 90, about 300#. Now a 4-stroke 115 Yamaha weighs 410#, but goes just as fast. That's a lot more weight on the transom to cause stability problems at high speed and in rough water, meaning more chance of an accident.
OIA	posted 08-06-2009 01:12 AM ET (US) I asked a similar question regarding the 115 E-Tec on a 17-Montauk not to long ago and received a lot of great responses. The most logical answer: The boat can definately handle the HP and the extra power is great for waterskiing and other sports requiring greater torque. The higher top end speed is also nice. You can find a local agent who will insure the boat. However, a problem may arise if there is an accident. The other party's insurance may not cover the damage because the motor is over rated for the boat. So, a 17-foot bass boat can scream along with a 200 hp ouboard. How do we raise the HP rating on the Montauk?
pglein	posted 08-06-2009 05:29 PM ET (US) quote: Insurance is not an problem so long as you are up front about what you are insuring and you are doing business with a knowledgible company / agency. I would take issue with this. When I bought my Outrage, I accidetally provided my insurance company with the incorrect HIN, but the correct serial number for my engine. This led them, initially, to beleive that I had purchased a boat rated for only 115hp but powered with a 150hp engine. At first, there was no problem, but month later I received a notice that my policy was being cancelled because I had installed an engine that exceeded the safety rating. I quickly discovered the error and had it corrected. However, had I actually been attempting to insure a boat powered above the horsepower rating, they would have rejected my policy. My insurance company is State Farm. I do not consider them to be unknowledgible.