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Author Topic:   Maximum Engine Horsepower on 2002 130 SPORT

Rip Lips posted 06-22-2004 04:15 PM ET (US)
I am the new owner of a 2002 130 SPORT that I just lucked into; I wasn't looking for a Boston Whaler boat exclusively. Now I realize it's top-of-the line and it's been great so far. It has the standard 40-HP Mercury.
I note the 50-HP Merc. is the same weight. I'm thinking about moving up to the 50-HP or maybe even the 60-HP. I know my insurance will be void so I'm weighing the benefits. I use it for fishing the ICW in Florida, but I would like to do some close ocean fishing as well. I normally go out alone, but when I have a friend with me (over 200 pounds) performance obviously suffers.
I changed the prop from 14-inch pitch to 13-inch pitch, and that helped push more weight. I also moved the engine up to the center mounting hole. I get the same top speed as before. I'm not looking for more top end but maybe more power. I've been out in 3-4-foot seas through the inlet and I was being pulled backwards at full throttle!
Would a 50-60-HP engine be worth my time and money? What is the largest horsepower engine that can be safely used on a 130 SPORT? Thanks for your opinions.
Bigshot posted 06-23-2004 01:13 PM ET (US)
Won't do that much, sounds like you need to get a larger boat.
jeffs22outrage posted 06-23-2004 01:53 PM ET (US)
I agree with bigshot, it sounds like you just need a bigger boat.
Forty horsepower is the maximum horsepower rating for the 130 SPORT. I think it has always been 40-HP, as well. If you go above that you will probably void your warranty along with having an insurance liability on your hands. Most insurance companies are not keen on insuring overpowered boats.
Also, running wide open in 3-4 seas in a 13-foot hull you would be spending more time in the air than in the water. If that is what you want to do find a jet ski.
No Boston Whaler boat was ever meant to do a drag boat. Play with your propeller selection till you find what you are looking for. A prop with less pitch will get you up and on plane faster while the higher pitch will give you more top end.
Rip Lips posted 06-23-2004 04:27 PM ET (US)
I do need a bigger boat but this is what I have now and it fits in the garage. I just use it to get to and from where I fish. I'll probobly trade it in for a larger Whaler next summer. Thanks for the advice.
Jarhead posted 06-23-2004 08:27 PM ET (US)
Put a 50 or 60hp engine on a 13' boat (even a Whaler) that's rated @ 40hp MAX, take it out in 3-4 foot seas, fight currents and tides of an inlet and you're asking to be a statistic.
At times I, too, have trouble remembering that my 130 Sport is only a 13-foot boat.
Be safe and enjoy your Whaler.
greyg8r posted 06-23-2004 09:29 PM ET (US)
Rip,
In Florida it is a violation of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to have an overpowered boat less than 20-feet long. http://www.floridaconservation.org/law/boatsafe/StateReq.htm
Your sense of adventure exceeds mine. I would never take my 13-footer out into the Atlantic.
Richard
2manyboats posted 06-23-2004 10:50 PM ET (US)
I have a 13 with a 25 Yamaha and together my wife and I go over 400 lbs. In most cases the boat will go faster than what is comfortable. So I don't see the need for more horsepower. That said,I would love to have a 13 with a 50+ on it
DaveNJ posted 06-24-2004 07:05 AM ET (US)
2manyboats -
Huh?
FrostyCold1 posted 06-24-2004 02:02 PM ET (US)
RL, I once was 11 lbs over 200. A diet and exercise program got me down to a lean-mean 175. This not only improved boat performance but also made the boat bigger.
And it not only works for Whalers because it did wonders for my other boats too!
Rip Lips posted 06-24-2004 06:48 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the replies guys. Actually, I'm 155-pounds dripping wet with wet shoes on. It's my buddies that are all big guys. I went out today and can get up to 40-MPH so that's plenty fast enough. Considering I fish alone most of the time, I won't even bother. Yeah, taking it out in the ocean is a bit sketchy alright. I always plan it around time of day (early), the tides (draining going out, rising coming in) and of course wind and swell. I've been doing pretty well inside though and saw about 10 tarpon today, didn't hook one :( - Rip
jimh posted 06-24-2004 08:19 PM ET (US)
The general question of powering a Boston Whaler boat beyond the rated maximum horsepower is answered in the Reference section. See:
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/ratedHP.html

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Author	Topic: Maximum Engine Horsepower on 2002 130 SPORT
Rip Lips	posted 06-22-2004 04:15 PM ET (US) I am the new owner of a 2002 130 SPORT that I just lucked into; I wasn't looking for a Boston Whaler boat exclusively. Now I realize it's top-of-the line and it's been great so far. It has the standard 40-HP Mercury. I note the 50-HP Merc. is the same weight. I'm thinking about moving up to the 50-HP or maybe even the 60-HP. I know my insurance will be void so I'm weighing the benefits. I use it for fishing the ICW in Florida, but I would like to do some close ocean fishing as well. I normally go out alone, but when I have a friend with me (over 200 pounds) performance obviously suffers. I changed the prop from 14-inch pitch to 13-inch pitch, and that helped push more weight. I also moved the engine up to the center mounting hole. I get the same top speed as before. I'm not looking for more top end but maybe more power. I've been out in 3-4-foot seas through the inlet and I was being pulled backwards at full throttle! Would a 50-60-HP engine be worth my time and money? What is the largest horsepower engine that can be safely used on a 130 SPORT? Thanks for your opinions.
Bigshot	posted 06-23-2004 01:13 PM ET (US) Won't do that much, sounds like you need to get a larger boat.
jeffs22outrage	posted 06-23-2004 01:53 PM ET (US) I agree with bigshot, it sounds like you just need a bigger boat. Forty horsepower is the maximum horsepower rating for the 130 SPORT. I think it has always been 40-HP, as well. If you go above that you will probably void your warranty along with having an insurance liability on your hands. Most insurance companies are not keen on insuring overpowered boats. Also, running wide open in 3-4 seas in a 13-foot hull you would be spending more time in the air than in the water. If that is what you want to do find a jet ski. No Boston Whaler boat was ever meant to do a drag boat. Play with your propeller selection till you find what you are looking for. A prop with less pitch will get you up and on plane faster while the higher pitch will give you more top end.
Rip Lips	posted 06-23-2004 04:27 PM ET (US) I do need a bigger boat but this is what I have now and it fits in the garage. I just use it to get to and from where I fish. I'll probobly trade it in for a larger Whaler next summer. Thanks for the advice.
Jarhead	posted 06-23-2004 08:27 PM ET (US) Put a 50 or 60hp engine on a 13' boat (even a Whaler) that's rated @ 40hp MAX, take it out in 3-4 foot seas, fight currents and tides of an inlet and you're asking to be a statistic. At times I, too, have trouble remembering that my 130 Sport is only a 13-foot boat. Be safe and enjoy your Whaler.
greyg8r	posted 06-23-2004 09:29 PM ET (US) Rip, In Florida it is a violation of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to have an overpowered boat less than 20-feet long. http://www.floridaconservation.org/law/boatsafe/StateReq.htm Your sense of adventure exceeds mine. I would never take my 13-footer out into the Atlantic. Richard
2manyboats	posted 06-23-2004 10:50 PM ET (US) I have a 13 with a 25 Yamaha and together my wife and I go over 400 lbs. In most cases the boat will go faster than what is comfortable. So I don't see the need for more horsepower. That said,I would love to have a 13 with a 50+ on it
DaveNJ	posted 06-24-2004 07:05 AM ET (US) 2manyboats - Huh?
FrostyCold1	posted 06-24-2004 02:02 PM ET (US) RL, I once was 11 lbs over 200. A diet and exercise program got me down to a lean-mean 175. This not only improved boat performance but also made the boat bigger. And it not only works for Whalers because it did wonders for my other boats too!
Rip Lips	posted 06-24-2004 06:48 PM ET (US) Thanks for the replies guys. Actually, I'm 155-pounds dripping wet with wet shoes on. It's my buddies that are all big guys. I went out today and can get up to 40-MPH so that's plenty fast enough. Considering I fish alone most of the time, I won't even bother. Yeah, taking it out in the ocean is a bit sketchy alright. I always plan it around time of day (early), the tides (draining going out, rising coming in) and of course wind and swell. I've been doing pretty well inside though and saw about 10 tarpon today, didn't hook one :( - Rip
jimh	posted 06-24-2004 08:19 PM ET (US) The general question of powering a Boston Whaler boat beyond the rated maximum horsepower is answered in the Reference section. See: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/ratedHP.html