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Author Topic:   170 top end

half shell posted 04-30-2005 08:45 PM ET (US)
Hello what are you montauk 170 owners getting for top speed with the different engine options?
Regards Bob

pvonk posted 04-30-2005 09:27 PM ET (US)
2005 Montauk; Merc 90 hp 4stk; reached 40.8 mph (GPS) on a calm day. By the end of last season, had a total of 40.8 hrs on the engine (got the boat in August of '04). Is there some cosmic coincidence in these numbers?
- Pierre
Maximus posted 04-30-2005 10:34 PM ET (US)
03 90 4 stroke: 41 mph and change per GPS, vengeance 18P ss prop.
nydealer posted 04-30-2005 10:34 PM ET (US)
Just delivered a new '05 with a 90 4stroke, it ran 41.5 on GPS with Bimini up (not open) in Rough water yesterday. Two people in the boat.
Matthew posted 04-30-2005 10:38 PM ET (US)
Into a slight headwind...2002 Montauk 170 with a Merc 90 two-stroke of the same year. Propped with 21p older hub style stainless Quicksilver and with both tanks full = 37.1 knots or 42.7 mph.
Marsh posted 05-01-2005 06:15 PM ET (US)
My 2004 Montauk 170 with a 2005 Merc 115 HP four stroke tops out at about 46 mph, at about 5900 rpms, using the SS prop off of the OEM Merc 90 HP 4 stroke. That was the observed speed per GPS, with only me in boat, my fishing gear, trolling motor and 3 batteries, and approx 18 gallons of gas. I have seen reports of 50 mph in a Montauk 170 with a 115, but I have not yet reached it. I suppose if I lightened my load, took off the troller and extra batteries, I could possibly hit 50 under ideal conditions.
Marsh
half shell posted 05-01-2005 11:04 PM ET (US)
Thanks to all looks like all stock packages are 40 to 42 mph boats.However marsh and his souped up rig is a bit faster.What does the decal on the motor show marsh?
Regards Bob
PS that 170 is a nice looking package
montaukman posted 05-02-2005 08:36 AM ET (US)
Hi everyone....
I am reading everyones' numbers and i am curious about mine now. I have a 2005 170 wiuth the 90 merc 4 stroke and stainless 18" prop. I got out yesterday in a very slight chop and some wind with the bimini open (it was raining) I was alone and the best i could do was 33 mph( With a tail wind). This seems a little low. Does the bimini have the potential to lower top end by 8 MPH?
Also, if I remeber, my WOT was at about 5600 RPM. I couldn't get any higher. Is that normal?
She ran smooth in the light chop but i do notice that she needs to go about 15 mph to get up on plane. Seems too high to me.
I can deal with it.....just more curious about the 33 mph top end and the "Governed" RPM's.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks,
Alan
jimh posted 05-02-2005 08:56 AM ET (US)
The wind resistance of a Bimini top will affect speed. Your reported speed top speed of only 33-MPH does seem too slow in comparison with the other reports.
jimh posted 05-02-2005 08:59 AM ET (US)
Most small boats with a hull like a Boston Whaler will need to go about 20-MPH to sustain plane. If you can get your 170 MONTAUK to stay on plane at 15-MPH that is quite reasonable.
bigjohn1 posted 05-02-2005 09:11 AM ET (US)
Montaukman, sounds like you might have had some extra fuel and gear along with you on that run? From all accounts I have read, that 18ss prop is what everyone is getting their best speed numbers from. Leave your top down and give her another whirl...you'll see improvement but I'm not sure it will be 8mph. Aquanut, who rigs these boats professionally, says the rev limiter on these engines cuts in at 6,100rpm's. If I recall correctly from the manual, the rpm range for this motor is 5,500-6,000 rpm's so, while you are within the "range", you're not at the upper end of it. Suggest you pick another day that's flat calm and leave all your gear at the dock except for one of your 6 gallon tanks - and also leave the top down...you'll definitely go faster!
The first time I opened my 170/115efi package up on a calm day I had hundreds of pounds of fishing equipment/coolers/ice, 30 gallons of fuel onboard for a 12 hour day, and my buddy and I who together weigh around 500lbs. With just an aluminum 17" prop, we did around 35mph. Of course, this info is of little value to you on your boat but it did make me cringe at the thought of going 50+mph in this boat empty with the right prop...now that is flying!
Knot at Work posted 05-02-2005 09:26 AM ET (US)
43 mph with two adults and full fuel load.
Probably could do faster but I am too busy fishing to notice the speed.
Usually fish instead of cruise.
Maximus posted 05-02-2005 09:53 AM ET (US)
Trim! Raise the motor after you get up to speed. Nose done, my 170 will only do mid-30's.
montaukman posted 05-02-2005 10:08 AM ET (US)
Hi All,
Thanks for the advice. I will def try trimming her and going with the bimini off on a calmer day.
She sure was smooth though at 33mph. Didn't catch any fluke but I was smiling ear to ear.
Thanks again,
Alan
Marsh posted 05-02-2005 01:09 PM ET (US)
Bob aka Halfshell:
My decal shows 115. The max rating per the plate on the console says 90, but so far, I have yet to encounter anyone who cares that I have a 115: not the insurance company, not the dealer who installed it. I am knocking on wood as I type, because I suppose the issue could theoretically be raised by LEOs or USCG, or by the dealer if I ever had a warranty claim.
I must say that I have been very happy with the boat's handling characteristics with the 115, even at WOT. I rarely run that fast, however, but really appreciate the little extra oomph from the 115 at mid-range, from 3,000-4,000 rpms.
Marsh
Whalen posted 05-02-2005 08:49 PM ET (US)
170 with 2 stroke 90 goes 43 MPH tops. Not real comfortable at that speed!
half shell posted 05-07-2005 08:17 PM ET (US)
Marsh I was not concerned over the insurance end just figured maybe you put a 60 HP decal so you could see the look on the others as you fly by them.
Regards Bob
I love the simplicity of the classic montauks I have owned and now after looking at the new ones these past few years agree they have made a great boat even better.
montaukman posted 05-08-2005 11:54 PM ET (US)
Hi Everyone,
Well i went out today and tried the trimming suggestions that everyone spoke of. Here were the conditions and the results
Stong winds and gusts, medium chop, bimini closed, one person (me at 200 lbs) twin batteries, two poles and a fish net in the rod holders, Bait cutting board clamped to the side rail. Oh...90 merc 4 stroke (just in case we all forgot...LOL)
After trimming her with a tail wind, in the chop, i was able to get to 40.5 MPH. Keep in mind too that it was rough, and i was nervous about keeping her at WOT, viewing the instrumrnasts and the seas at the same time so as soon as she got to that speed i slowed down. If I had kept her at WOT for a tad longer, would i slowly have gotten faster or do these boats acehive top end quickly without slowly creeping up?
It was scary so I couldn't play around with the trim other than initially. Perhaps i stillhaven't acheived that ideal setting yet.
Heading back, strong headwind, 36 mph in the same conditions.

I can't wait to try this on a calm day when i can focus on tweaking and not the pitching bay. I will say that when i trimmed her and "felt" the nose rise, she felt like she was flying.....very smooth....even in the chop. Bumped alot but def a big difference.
does chop make a big diff in top end? I imagine it would.
The weather here on Long Island has not been cooperating with me and it is very frustrating to fish and cruise and get to know the boat when you can't really experiment in ideal conditions....patience Alan...i'll get there.
I'll giive more results next time when it is calm and the bay is glass...i remember how it used to look that way early in the morning.
One thing, the console is def too low....lol. I waa reading previous posts and was sypathetic to all that were saying this but i didn't really realize it till today when i was driving in chop, crouching slighly to reach the wheel confortably and holding on at the same time. I am 6'0". i think they could def make the console taller on the next go around or at a minimuim, raise the wheel. Still, not a major issue.
Definitely promising results. Thanks for all the help again,
Alan
bigjohn1 posted 05-09-2005 08:39 AM ET (US)
Alan, I'm the same height as you and I have found it to be more comfortable standing slightly to the left side of the helm while underway. I actually do this for hours at a time when trolling and rest my left hand on the console rail and steer with my right. It sounds weird but it works well for me and is more comfortable than trying stand right behind the wheel while standing up for that long...
Buckda posted 05-09-2005 12:53 PM ET (US)
Montaukman -
The top speed should creep up the last 2-3 MPH.
Running in a very slight chop (1/2 foot or so) can actually help you go faster so long as you are not coming down into the wave. Bouncing along the top of the crests helps get additional air under the hull and so long as your prop is still running in "solid" water, you typically are able to get another MPH or two out of her.
Marsh - Please be sure to let forum members know about any interactions with local law enforcement and USCG officers out on the water with an "overpowered" boat.
I would think that local guys would get more upset about something like that than the USCG guys simply due to the fact that the "official" federal rating for that boat is higher than what's on the capacity plate.
Dave
bsmotril posted 05-09-2005 01:42 PM ET (US)
You will find that most boats will eak out a few more MPH with a light chop on the water than they would with flat calm water. It does take a minute or so for the MPH to creap up to max. If you have a tach, and speedo, trim up to the point that you do not get any more speed increase with additional trim. Tapping the trim button momentarily is the way to do this. Feels good, doesn't it?? :-) BillS
Maximus posted 05-09-2005 08:16 PM ET (US)
Montaukman,
Glad to hear! Sounds like a success. Definitely wait for some calmer weather to do some more trials.
As for the guys with the 115's, my 90 is violently fast at WOT. I can't imagine another 25 horses. Besides top end and EFI, what does the 115 buy you?
Marsh posted 05-11-2005 11:21 PM ET (US)
Max:
Respectfully, I cannot see any possible way that a Montauk powered with a 90 hp engine could be described as "violently" fast. But then again, I suppose "violent" is in the eyes of the beholder. My brother's 75 mph bass boat is pretty darn fast, but I wouldn't even call it violent. But then again, I drive a 500 horse daily driver car, so I guess it's all relative. But enough of that. To answer your question, besides EFI, the 115 gets you about 6 mph more top end (not enough to matter). It also gets you a bit more mid-range power, which really comes in handy if you haul a lot of gear, a lot of people, or both. But I don't know how to quantify that.
The 90 is a fine engine for the 170; the 115 is just a shade better, but probably not enough to be worth it for 90% of the owners.
Respectfully,
Marsh
mojipa posted 05-12-2005 11:29 AM ET (US)
I average about 40.2 with 2 people on board and light cargo.
I have a 90 horse 4 stroke.

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Author	Topic: 170 top end
half shell	posted 04-30-2005 08:45 PM ET (US) Hello what are you montauk 170 owners getting for top speed with the different engine options? Regards Bob
pvonk	posted 04-30-2005 09:27 PM ET (US) 2005 Montauk; Merc 90 hp 4stk; reached 40.8 mph (GPS) on a calm day. By the end of last season, had a total of 40.8 hrs on the engine (got the boat in August of '04). Is there some cosmic coincidence in these numbers? - Pierre
Maximus	posted 04-30-2005 10:34 PM ET (US) 03 90 4 stroke: 41 mph and change per GPS, vengeance 18P ss prop.
nydealer	posted 04-30-2005 10:34 PM ET (US) Just delivered a new '05 with a 90 4stroke, it ran 41.5 on GPS with Bimini up (not open) in Rough water yesterday. Two people in the boat.
Matthew	posted 04-30-2005 10:38 PM ET (US) Into a slight headwind...2002 Montauk 170 with a Merc 90 two-stroke of the same year. Propped with 21p older hub style stainless Quicksilver and with both tanks full = 37.1 knots or 42.7 mph.
Marsh	posted 05-01-2005 06:15 PM ET (US) My 2004 Montauk 170 with a 2005 Merc 115 HP four stroke tops out at about 46 mph, at about 5900 rpms, using the SS prop off of the OEM Merc 90 HP 4 stroke. That was the observed speed per GPS, with only me in boat, my fishing gear, trolling motor and 3 batteries, and approx 18 gallons of gas. I have seen reports of 50 mph in a Montauk 170 with a 115, but I have not yet reached it. I suppose if I lightened my load, took off the troller and extra batteries, I could possibly hit 50 under ideal conditions. Marsh
half shell	posted 05-01-2005 11:04 PM ET (US) Thanks to all looks like all stock packages are 40 to 42 mph boats.However marsh and his souped up rig is a bit faster.What does the decal on the motor show marsh? Regards Bob PS that 170 is a nice looking package
montaukman	posted 05-02-2005 08:36 AM ET (US) Hi everyone.... I am reading everyones' numbers and i am curious about mine now. I have a 2005 170 wiuth the 90 merc 4 stroke and stainless 18" prop. I got out yesterday in a very slight chop and some wind with the bimini open (it was raining) I was alone and the best i could do was 33 mph( With a tail wind). This seems a little low. Does the bimini have the potential to lower top end by 8 MPH? Also, if I remeber, my WOT was at about 5600 RPM. I couldn't get any higher. Is that normal? She ran smooth in the light chop but i do notice that she needs to go about 15 mph to get up on plane. Seems too high to me. I can deal with it.....just more curious about the 33 mph top end and the "Governed" RPM's. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Alan
jimh	posted 05-02-2005 08:56 AM ET (US) The wind resistance of a Bimini top will affect speed. Your reported speed top speed of only 33-MPH does seem too slow in comparison with the other reports.
jimh	posted 05-02-2005 08:59 AM ET (US) Most small boats with a hull like a Boston Whaler will need to go about 20-MPH to sustain plane. If you can get your 170 MONTAUK to stay on plane at 15-MPH that is quite reasonable.
bigjohn1	posted 05-02-2005 09:11 AM ET (US) Montaukman, sounds like you might have had some extra fuel and gear along with you on that run? From all accounts I have read, that 18ss prop is what everyone is getting their best speed numbers from. Leave your top down and give her another whirl...you'll see improvement but I'm not sure it will be 8mph. Aquanut, who rigs these boats professionally, says the rev limiter on these engines cuts in at 6,100rpm's. If I recall correctly from the manual, the rpm range for this motor is 5,500-6,000 rpm's so, while you are within the "range", you're not at the upper end of it. Suggest you pick another day that's flat calm and leave all your gear at the dock except for one of your 6 gallon tanks - and also leave the top down...you'll definitely go faster! The first time I opened my 170/115efi package up on a calm day I had hundreds of pounds of fishing equipment/coolers/ice, 30 gallons of fuel onboard for a 12 hour day, and my buddy and I who together weigh around 500lbs. With just an aluminum 17" prop, we did around 35mph. Of course, this info is of little value to you on your boat but it did make me cringe at the thought of going 50+mph in this boat empty with the right prop...now that is flying!
Knot at Work	posted 05-02-2005 09:26 AM ET (US) 43 mph with two adults and full fuel load. Probably could do faster but I am too busy fishing to notice the speed. Usually fish instead of cruise.
Maximus	posted 05-02-2005 09:53 AM ET (US) Trim! Raise the motor after you get up to speed. Nose done, my 170 will only do mid-30's.
montaukman	posted 05-02-2005 10:08 AM ET (US) Hi All, Thanks for the advice. I will def try trimming her and going with the bimini off on a calmer day. She sure was smooth though at 33mph. Didn't catch any fluke but I was smiling ear to ear. Thanks again, Alan
Marsh	posted 05-02-2005 01:09 PM ET (US) Bob aka Halfshell: My decal shows 115. The max rating per the plate on the console says 90, but so far, I have yet to encounter anyone who cares that I have a 115: not the insurance company, not the dealer who installed it. I am knocking on wood as I type, because I suppose the issue could theoretically be raised by LEOs or USCG, or by the dealer if I ever had a warranty claim. I must say that I have been very happy with the boat's handling characteristics with the 115, even at WOT. I rarely run that fast, however, but really appreciate the little extra oomph from the 115 at mid-range, from 3,000-4,000 rpms. Marsh
Whalen	posted 05-02-2005 08:49 PM ET (US) 170 with 2 stroke 90 goes 43 MPH tops. Not real comfortable at that speed!
half shell	posted 05-07-2005 08:17 PM ET (US) Marsh I was not concerned over the insurance end just figured maybe you put a 60 HP decal so you could see the look on the others as you fly by them. Regards Bob I love the simplicity of the classic montauks I have owned and now after looking at the new ones these past few years agree they have made a great boat even better.
montaukman	posted 05-08-2005 11:54 PM ET (US) Hi Everyone, Well i went out today and tried the trimming suggestions that everyone spoke of. Here were the conditions and the results Stong winds and gusts, medium chop, bimini closed, one person (me at 200 lbs) twin batteries, two poles and a fish net in the rod holders, Bait cutting board clamped to the side rail. Oh...90 merc 4 stroke (just in case we all forgot...LOL) After trimming her with a tail wind, in the chop, i was able to get to 40.5 MPH. Keep in mind too that it was rough, and i was nervous about keeping her at WOT, viewing the instrumrnasts and the seas at the same time so as soon as she got to that speed i slowed down. If I had kept her at WOT for a tad longer, would i slowly have gotten faster or do these boats acehive top end quickly without slowly creeping up? It was scary so I couldn't play around with the trim other than initially. Perhaps i stillhaven't acheived that ideal setting yet. Heading back, strong headwind, 36 mph in the same conditions. I can't wait to try this on a calm day when i can focus on tweaking and not the pitching bay. I will say that when i trimmed her and "felt" the nose rise, she felt like she was flying.....very smooth....even in the chop. Bumped alot but def a big difference. does chop make a big diff in top end? I imagine it would. The weather here on Long Island has not been cooperating with me and it is very frustrating to fish and cruise and get to know the boat when you can't really experiment in ideal conditions....patience Alan...i'll get there. I'll giive more results next time when it is calm and the bay is glass...i remember how it used to look that way early in the morning. One thing, the console is def too low....lol. I waa reading previous posts and was sypathetic to all that were saying this but i didn't really realize it till today when i was driving in chop, crouching slighly to reach the wheel confortably and holding on at the same time. I am 6'0". i think they could def make the console taller on the next go around or at a minimuim, raise the wheel. Still, not a major issue. Definitely promising results. Thanks for all the help again, Alan
bigjohn1	posted 05-09-2005 08:39 AM ET (US) Alan, I'm the same height as you and I have found it to be more comfortable standing slightly to the left side of the helm while underway. I actually do this for hours at a time when trolling and rest my left hand on the console rail and steer with my right. It sounds weird but it works well for me and is more comfortable than trying stand right behind the wheel while standing up for that long...
Buckda	posted 05-09-2005 12:53 PM ET (US) Montaukman - The top speed should creep up the last 2-3 MPH. Running in a very slight chop (1/2 foot or so) can actually help you go faster so long as you are not coming down into the wave. Bouncing along the top of the crests helps get additional air under the hull and so long as your prop is still running in "solid" water, you typically are able to get another MPH or two out of her. Marsh - Please be sure to let forum members know about any interactions with local law enforcement and USCG officers out on the water with an "overpowered" boat. I would think that local guys would get more upset about something like that than the USCG guys simply due to the fact that the "official" federal rating for that boat is higher than what's on the capacity plate. Dave
bsmotril	posted 05-09-2005 01:42 PM ET (US) You will find that most boats will eak out a few more MPH with a light chop on the water than they would with flat calm water. It does take a minute or so for the MPH to creap up to max. If you have a tach, and speedo, trim up to the point that you do not get any more speed increase with additional trim. Tapping the trim button momentarily is the way to do this. Feels good, doesn't it?? :-) BillS
Maximus	posted 05-09-2005 08:16 PM ET (US) Montaukman, Glad to hear! Sounds like a success. Definitely wait for some calmer weather to do some more trials. As for the guys with the 115's, my 90 is violently fast at WOT. I can't imagine another 25 horses. Besides top end and EFI, what does the 115 buy you?
Marsh	posted 05-11-2005 11:21 PM ET (US) Max: Respectfully, I cannot see any possible way that a Montauk powered with a 90 hp engine could be described as "violently" fast. But then again, I suppose "violent" is in the eyes of the beholder. My brother's 75 mph bass boat is pretty darn fast, but I wouldn't even call it violent. But then again, I drive a 500 horse daily driver car, so I guess it's all relative. But enough of that. To answer your question, besides EFI, the 115 gets you about 6 mph more top end (not enough to matter). It also gets you a bit more mid-range power, which really comes in handy if you haul a lot of gear, a lot of people, or both. But I don't know how to quantify that. The 90 is a fine engine for the 170; the 115 is just a shade better, but probably not enough to be worth it for 90% of the owners. Respectfully, Marsh
mojipa	posted 05-12-2005 11:29 AM ET (US) I average about 40.2 with 2 people on board and light cargo. I have a 90 horse 4 stroke.