Can you feel the love of a 20HP on a 13 footer?

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Author Topic:   Can you feel the love of a 20HP on a 13 footer?

Theunsinkable posted 05-14-2007 03:28 PM ET (US)
We would love to buy a 13' whaler but are limited to 20hp motors on the Ontario, Canada lake where our new cottage is.
The minimum hp rating on the current 13' whalers is listed as 25hp. Does anyone have experience with going underpowered with the post classic 13 footers?
I understand that the classic 13 footers were rated for as small as 9.9 hp because of a different hull shape. What model year did the hull change? Anybody have direct experience?
Trying to feel the love once again....
pbalser posted 05-14-2007 07:28 PM ET (US)
the original 13 footer was made from 1958 - 1997. having owned 2, I am a 41 yr old fan today. as to the issue of 20hp being enough, the current offering from yamaha canada has both a 20 and a 25 hp 2 stroke with the SAME displacement. the 20hp should be fine for a couple of folks to rip around. make sure to install a tachometer and then play with different props to get the best performance.
this board is a fountain of information - keep asking questions and the "love" will pour out to help you get your whaler set up right.
pb
contender posted 05-14-2007 10:02 PM ET (US)
Do not go smaler than the 20hp, and if you can I would get the 25hp...good luck
Tadpole posted 05-15-2007 09:32 AM ET (US)
I think pbalser pretty much nailed it, and, you said 20 was the max.
I’ll add my 0.2 cents:
Power tilt and trim may be over kill in this case, but I would still consider it. Either way, optimize your package by raising the engine as much as you can, and add a “dolphin” or something like that to help you plane. With the right engine height, the dolphin (or whatever), should be just out of, or skimming the water at planning speed.
I think this is key: without P/T/T on the 13, and a smallish motor, the best “fixed” trim setting for planning, will not be ideal for getting you on the plane…DUH. That’s why I like the dolphin or something equivalent on these boats.
Oh yeah, depending on your usage, you can probably run a 3 gallon fuel tank too.
Good luck.
Mobjack posted 05-15-2007 11:01 AM ET (US)
I would have a forty horse installed, repaint the cowling, and get 20hp decals. And I am not joking. Even a thirty moves that boat along great. Most people would never know the difference, and I know its a different world up there, but it can't be that strictly enforced....is it?
Tohsgib posted 05-15-2007 12:20 PM ET (US)
Many here including myself have run classics with older 25hp engines and are VERY satisfied with their performance. There is no reason why a modern 20 would not keep up with or even pass an older 25hp so go for it. As far as a new 13 with a 20, I doubt you would be happy with it being she weighs more than a 15' classic but then again I had friends with 25's on them as well and they moved OK. 2nd is...just like a dealer will not overpower a new boat, they will probably not underpower one either, liability reasons. You may want to look at the 11' sport which I "believe" can be ordered sans engine unlike the 13'. Don't mess wih overpowering on yourlake. My friend did tha in NJ and was banned from having a boat on the lake by the homeowner's assoc. That really sucks when you paid $800k for the lakefront home.
Plotman posted 05-15-2007 05:39 PM ET (US)
I wholeheartedly agree with the new decal route.
eviltwin posted 05-15-2007 11:11 PM ET (US)
I've got a fairly new 25 merc on my 13, and with two people aboard, it can still go like a scalded dog. 5 less hp probably wouldn't make that much difference, If you can find a 20 then go for it, should be fine for general motoring. May not do well pulling a skier, but that would be it.

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Author	Topic: Can you feel the love of a 20HP on a 13 footer?
Theunsinkable	posted 05-14-2007 03:28 PM ET (US) We would love to buy a 13' whaler but are limited to 20hp motors on the Ontario, Canada lake where our new cottage is. The minimum hp rating on the current 13' whalers is listed as 25hp. Does anyone have experience with going underpowered with the post classic 13 footers? I understand that the classic 13 footers were rated for as small as 9.9 hp because of a different hull shape. What model year did the hull change? Anybody have direct experience? Trying to feel the love once again....
pbalser	posted 05-14-2007 07:28 PM ET (US) the original 13 footer was made from 1958 - 1997. having owned 2, I am a 41 yr old fan today. as to the issue of 20hp being enough, the current offering from yamaha canada has both a 20 and a 25 hp 2 stroke with the SAME displacement. the 20hp should be fine for a couple of folks to rip around. make sure to install a tachometer and then play with different props to get the best performance. this board is a fountain of information - keep asking questions and the "love" will pour out to help you get your whaler set up right. pb
contender	posted 05-14-2007 10:02 PM ET (US) Do not go smaler than the 20hp, and if you can I would get the 25hp...good luck
Tadpole	posted 05-15-2007 09:32 AM ET (US) I think pbalser pretty much nailed it, and, you said 20 was the max. I’ll add my 0.2 cents: Power tilt and trim may be over kill in this case, but I would still consider it. Either way, optimize your package by raising the engine as much as you can, and add a “dolphin” or something like that to help you plane. With the right engine height, the dolphin (or whatever), should be just out of, or skimming the water at planning speed. I think this is key: without P/T/T on the 13, and a smallish motor, the best “fixed” trim setting for planning, will not be ideal for getting you on the plane…DUH. That’s why I like the dolphin or something equivalent on these boats. Oh yeah, depending on your usage, you can probably run a 3 gallon fuel tank too. Good luck.
Mobjack	posted 05-15-2007 11:01 AM ET (US) I would have a forty horse installed, repaint the cowling, and get 20hp decals. And I am not joking. Even a thirty moves that boat along great. Most people would never know the difference, and I know its a different world up there, but it can't be that strictly enforced....is it?
Tohsgib	posted 05-15-2007 12:20 PM ET (US) Many here including myself have run classics with older 25hp engines and are VERY satisfied with their performance. There is no reason why a modern 20 would not keep up with or even pass an older 25hp so go for it. As far as a new 13 with a 20, I doubt you would be happy with it being she weighs more than a 15' classic but then again I had friends with 25's on them as well and they moved OK. 2nd is...just like a dealer will not overpower a new boat, they will probably not underpower one either, liability reasons. You may want to look at the 11' sport which I "believe" can be ordered sans engine unlike the 13'. Don't mess wih overpowering on yourlake. My friend did tha in NJ and was banned from having a boat on the lake by the homeowner's assoc. That really sucks when you paid $800k for the lakefront home.
Plotman	posted 05-15-2007 05:39 PM ET (US) I wholeheartedly agree with the new decal route.
eviltwin	posted 05-15-2007 11:11 PM ET (US) I've got a fairly new 25 merc on my 13, and with two people aboard, it can still go like a scalded dog. 5 less hp probably wouldn't make that much difference, If you can find a 20 then go for it, should be fine for general motoring. May not do well pulling a skier, but that would be it.