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Author Topic:   MONTAUK: Minimum Horsepower To Plane

HSLaw posted 04-26-2006 04:34 PM ET (US)
Will a 2002 Honda 30-HP four-stroke outboard plane a lightly loaded 1986 Montauk? I am not looking for a speed demon, just something to cruise the rivers with an occasional run up to planning speed.
I know Whaler's minimum HP on this hull is 35hp, that that was when motors were rated at the power head and this Honda 30 is rated at the prop.
I guess what I'm asking is, could this motor get the boat up on plane with 400 pounds of passengers?
Thanks a million!
captbone posted 04-26-2006 04:44 PM ET (US)
In a tiller configuratioin with doel fins and two people, I am sure that it would plane off. I think You would get about 23-MPH out of it. If you put the console, larger fuel tank and 2-3 people, then I would say planing off would be very difficult and it would just plow. Good luck, just my 2 cents.
Tom W Clark posted 04-26-2006 07:07 PM ET (US)
I doubt it.
The minimum horsepower rating for a Montauk is 35 HP. Back when motors were rated at the power head, the 16'-7" Whaler hull weighed several hundred pounds less.
I do not think you will satisfied with a 30 HP four stroke. I would not use less than 50 HP.
HSLaw posted 04-26-2006 07:22 PM ET (US)
Thank you for the responses. So far it is 50/50 whether or not the boat will plane.
Well, I bought the motor already because I'm a bit impulsive. So we shall see if it will plane. the boat is a center console, so I think the weight forward will help with planning. I am optimistic that, with the right prop, the boat will make the jump to hyper space. If not, I'll have the worlds largest kicker!!
Teak Oil posted 04-26-2006 09:38 PM ET (US)
Put a fin on it and it will barely plane. You have underpowered your fine boat so severely that it would be flat out foolish to go onto any sort of lake or bay because it will not plane in any sort of chop or wind.
I guess I fail to see the logic in asking for advice and then going out and buying the motor before you can get information from those that would know.
Good luck in your endevour, but beware of barges and tugboats, you will not have the speed to get out of their way.
jimh posted 04-26-2006 10:47 PM ET (US)
Be sure you select a propeller with a proper pitch, i.e., one that lets the engine wind up to the very maximum recommended speed. In this way you'll get the most horsepower out of the motor, and that may put you on plane.
Tom W Clark posted 04-27-2006 01:03 AM ET (US)
No worries, a 2002 Honda 30 Hp four stroke will be great power for a 13 foot Whaler.
dgoodhue posted 04-27-2006 08:46 AM ET (US)
"I know Whaler's minimum HP on this hull is 35hp, that that was when motors were rated at the power head and this Honda 30 is rated at the prop."
That was also when Outboard motors were noticably lighter as well.
"400 pounds of passengers" and "four stroke"
I would give it a no way its going to plane with those conditions (95%/5%) Lightly loaded (ie you and gas and the proper prop) might have a chance to plane 50/50.
The Judge posted 04-27-2006 11:57 AM ET (US)
I have been in one with a 40 and it did about 27+mph so yes yours will plane if propped right but might top out at 23mph like said. I would definately put a fin on it and see what gives. Not hard to rig and not hard to derig either. My friend had a 15' with a 25 and she scooted pretty good but is also 400lbs lighter.
mikeyairtime posted 04-27-2006 12:45 PM ET (US)
That poor little motor is going to be working its guts out to barely plane that boat. If you ever go to sell that package it'll be hard.
HSLaw posted 04-27-2006 01:50 PM ET (US)
Thank you all for the respones. The motor already has a Doel-Fin installed, so that should help. Unfortunately, the engine did not come with any controls, so I have to source those before I can test her out.
I am optimistic that this will work. I've had a 15' hull and this 17' hull and the 17 seems like it is the easiest to plane with the same power (70 hp).
I will post the results when I get it rigged up.
Thanks.
aja posted 04-28-2006 09:42 AM ET (US)
When I was a kid a family friend had a roughly 17' MFG with a 35HP evinrude. Although it was fine once we arrived at a fishing spot, it was absolute torture getting there. With 3 of us on board it would plow along at or just below a plane throwing up an enormous wake. I never had the misfortune of being on this boat in bad weather but imagine it could have been downright unsafe in the wrong circumstances. It was alwsys a treat to move back to the family's Sakonet which had a Johnson 70 - granted even that wasn't overpowered but seemed to move along fine.
The Chesapeake Explorer posted 04-29-2006 10:05 PM ET (US)
Dont Forget us as you test this combo out. Lots of us would like to know the preformance of such a boat. Let us know how it goes!
HSLaw posted 06-12-2006 07:29 PM ET (US)
I still have not rigged the Honda 30 yet, but [some unknown seller on eBay] says it will hit 30mph+ with one person and will plane with 4 adults.
Teak Oil posted 06-12-2006 09:39 PM ET (US)
Why not go with twin 20's then, it will do 40mph with those
HSLaw posted 08-07-2006 07:46 PM ET (US)
Well, I tested the motor.
The boat was fairly empty with the exception of:
- Anchor and rode in bow locker
- 6 gallons of gas in a stern located plastic tank
- battery to stern
- Me at 225lbs
- A couple layers of bottom paint
The motor does not have TnT, so I had the trim pin set at the 2nd lowest (trimmed in) position out of 5. This trim position tucked the motor "in" pretty well (like you might do for a good holeshot)
I'm pleased to say the boat had no problem getting up on plane and running out to a top speed of (what I guess) would be the low 20's mph.
The problem is, you would need to be at 80%+ throttle to keep the boat on plane with just me in the boat. Worse, if my wife and 3 small kids (another 250 pounds) were in the boat, I don't think the boat would satisfactorily plane, if at all.
So there you have it, a 30hp motor on a 17' classic Boston Whaler hull performs in the manner in which the factory specified. "Minimum Performance"
HTH...
Teak Oil posted 08-08-2006 07:08 PM ET (US)
Isn't that pretty much what everyone said in the first place? It is probably comepletely worthless in rough water set up as it is now
HSLaw posted 08-08-2006 10:44 PM ET (US)
Hey TKOil,
What do you know about rough water, you flat lander!
Point is, the boat planed out as others, including myself, had suspected.
Go back to your land locked salmon rookie.
JayR posted 08-08-2006 11:20 PM ET (US)
Thanks for putting up with the BS this crew shoveled out. I for one find the info interesting. I had my doubts but I am happy to hear it planed for you.
brisboats posted 08-10-2006 08:36 AM ET (US)
I too found the info interesting. As we are putting together another stick steered crabbing skiff with an early hull and are considering Honda power. Fuel efficiency and a slow trolling speed are much more important than planing ability/top speed in this application.
Brian
PeteB88 posted 08-10-2006 10:35 AM ET (US)
Do your own thing and you'll never go wrong.
HSLaw posted 08-10-2006 12:19 PM ET (US)
OK,
Another data point.
Yesterday, me (225lbs), a bud (200) and a hand held GPS went out again.
Conditions were same as before:
- Anchor and rode in bow locker
- 6 gallons of gas in a stern located plastic tank
- battery to stern
- Me at 225lbs
- A couple layers of bottom paint
- Trim pin at the 2nd lowest (trimmed in) position
- Doel-fin installed
Only changes were:
- Slack Tide
- Additional 200lbs mid ship (standing next to console)

As before, the boat planed slowly, but in a determined fashion. Top speed via GPS was 20mph. I was impressed.
I didn't have the tach installed, but the motor sounded like it was winding out well and not bogged down. I think the story here is the prop. You can move anything with the proper gear reduction.
Still, I will be moving up in power... The 30 performs adequately with a light load, but there is little in reserve.

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Author	Topic: MONTAUK: Minimum Horsepower To Plane
HSLaw	posted 04-26-2006 04:34 PM ET (US) Will a 2002 Honda 30-HP four-stroke outboard plane a lightly loaded 1986 Montauk? I am not looking for a speed demon, just something to cruise the rivers with an occasional run up to planning speed. I know Whaler's minimum HP on this hull is 35hp, that that was when motors were rated at the power head and this Honda 30 is rated at the prop. I guess what I'm asking is, could this motor get the boat up on plane with 400 pounds of passengers? Thanks a million!
captbone	posted 04-26-2006 04:44 PM ET (US) In a tiller configuratioin with doel fins and two people, I am sure that it would plane off. I think You would get about 23-MPH out of it. If you put the console, larger fuel tank and 2-3 people, then I would say planing off would be very difficult and it would just plow. Good luck, just my 2 cents.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-26-2006 07:07 PM ET (US) I doubt it. The minimum horsepower rating for a Montauk is 35 HP. Back when motors were rated at the power head, the 16'-7" Whaler hull weighed several hundred pounds less. I do not think you will satisfied with a 30 HP four stroke. I would not use less than 50 HP.
HSLaw	posted 04-26-2006 07:22 PM ET (US) Thank you for the responses. So far it is 50/50 whether or not the boat will plane. Well, I bought the motor already because I'm a bit impulsive. So we shall see if it will plane. the boat is a center console, so I think the weight forward will help with planning. I am optimistic that, with the right prop, the boat will make the jump to hyper space. If not, I'll have the worlds largest kicker!!
Teak Oil	posted 04-26-2006 09:38 PM ET (US) Put a fin on it and it will barely plane. You have underpowered your fine boat so severely that it would be flat out foolish to go onto any sort of lake or bay because it will not plane in any sort of chop or wind. I guess I fail to see the logic in asking for advice and then going out and buying the motor before you can get information from those that would know. Good luck in your endevour, but beware of barges and tugboats, you will not have the speed to get out of their way.
jimh	posted 04-26-2006 10:47 PM ET (US) Be sure you select a propeller with a proper pitch, i.e., one that lets the engine wind up to the very maximum recommended speed. In this way you'll get the most horsepower out of the motor, and that may put you on plane.
Tom W Clark	posted 04-27-2006 01:03 AM ET (US) No worries, a 2002 Honda 30 Hp four stroke will be great power for a 13 foot Whaler.
dgoodhue	posted 04-27-2006 08:46 AM ET (US) "I know Whaler's minimum HP on this hull is 35hp, that that was when motors were rated at the power head and this Honda 30 is rated at the prop." That was also when Outboard motors were noticably lighter as well. "400 pounds of passengers" and "four stroke" I would give it a no way its going to plane with those conditions (95%/5%) Lightly loaded (ie you and gas and the proper prop) might have a chance to plane 50/50.
The Judge	posted 04-27-2006 11:57 AM ET (US) I have been in one with a 40 and it did about 27+mph so yes yours will plane if propped right but might top out at 23mph like said. I would definately put a fin on it and see what gives. Not hard to rig and not hard to derig either. My friend had a 15' with a 25 and she scooted pretty good but is also 400lbs lighter.
mikeyairtime	posted 04-27-2006 12:45 PM ET (US) That poor little motor is going to be working its guts out to barely plane that boat. If you ever go to sell that package it'll be hard.
HSLaw	posted 04-27-2006 01:50 PM ET (US) Thank you all for the respones. The motor already has a Doel-Fin installed, so that should help. Unfortunately, the engine did not come with any controls, so I have to source those before I can test her out. I am optimistic that this will work. I've had a 15' hull and this 17' hull and the 17 seems like it is the easiest to plane with the same power (70 hp). I will post the results when I get it rigged up. Thanks.
aja	posted 04-28-2006 09:42 AM ET (US) When I was a kid a family friend had a roughly 17' MFG with a 35HP evinrude. Although it was fine once we arrived at a fishing spot, it was absolute torture getting there. With 3 of us on board it would plow along at or just below a plane throwing up an enormous wake. I never had the misfortune of being on this boat in bad weather but imagine it could have been downright unsafe in the wrong circumstances. It was alwsys a treat to move back to the family's Sakonet which had a Johnson 70 - granted even that wasn't overpowered but seemed to move along fine.
The Chesapeake Explorer	posted 04-29-2006 10:05 PM ET (US) Dont Forget us as you test this combo out. Lots of us would like to know the preformance of such a boat. Let us know how it goes!
HSLaw	posted 06-12-2006 07:29 PM ET (US) I still have not rigged the Honda 30 yet, but [some unknown seller on eBay] says it will hit 30mph+ with one person and will plane with 4 adults.
Teak Oil	posted 06-12-2006 09:39 PM ET (US) Why not go with twin 20's then, it will do 40mph with those
HSLaw	posted 08-07-2006 07:46 PM ET (US) Well, I tested the motor. The boat was fairly empty with the exception of: - Anchor and rode in bow locker - 6 gallons of gas in a stern located plastic tank - battery to stern - Me at 225lbs - A couple layers of bottom paint The motor does not have TnT, so I had the trim pin set at the 2nd lowest (trimmed in) position out of 5. This trim position tucked the motor "in" pretty well (like you might do for a good holeshot) I'm pleased to say the boat had no problem getting up on plane and running out to a top speed of (what I guess) would be the low 20's mph. The problem is, you would need to be at 80%+ throttle to keep the boat on plane with just me in the boat. Worse, if my wife and 3 small kids (another 250 pounds) were in the boat, I don't think the boat would satisfactorily plane, if at all. So there you have it, a 30hp motor on a 17' classic Boston Whaler hull performs in the manner in which the factory specified. "Minimum Performance" HTH...
Teak Oil	posted 08-08-2006 07:08 PM ET (US) Isn't that pretty much what everyone said in the first place? It is probably comepletely worthless in rough water set up as it is now
HSLaw	posted 08-08-2006 10:44 PM ET (US) Hey TKOil, What do you know about rough water, you flat lander! Point is, the boat planed out as others, including myself, had suspected. Go back to your land locked salmon rookie.
JayR	posted 08-08-2006 11:20 PM ET (US) Thanks for putting up with the BS this crew shoveled out. I for one find the info interesting. I had my doubts but I am happy to hear it planed for you.
brisboats	posted 08-10-2006 08:36 AM ET (US) I too found the info interesting. As we are putting together another stick steered crabbing skiff with an early hull and are considering Honda power. Fuel efficiency and a slow trolling speed are much more important than planing ability/top speed in this application. Brian
PeteB88	posted 08-10-2006 10:35 AM ET (US) Do your own thing and you'll never go wrong.
HSLaw	posted 08-10-2006 12:19 PM ET (US) OK, Another data point. Yesterday, me (225lbs), a bud (200) and a hand held GPS went out again. Conditions were same as before: - Anchor and rode in bow locker - 6 gallons of gas in a stern located plastic tank - battery to stern - Me at 225lbs - A couple layers of bottom paint - Trim pin at the 2nd lowest (trimmed in) position - Doel-fin installed Only changes were: - Slack Tide - Additional 200lbs mid ship (standing next to console) As before, the boat planed slowly, but in a determined fashion. Top speed via GPS was 20mph. I was impressed. I didn't have the tach installed, but the motor sounded like it was winding out well and not bogged down. I think the story here is the prop. You can move anything with the proper gear reduction. Still, I will be moving up in power... The 30 performs adequately with a light load, but there is little in reserve.