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Conference vicki::boats

Title:Powerboats
Notice:Introductions 2 /Classifieds 3 / '97 Ski Season 1267
Moderator:KWLITY::SUTER
Created:Thu May 12 1988
Last Modified:Wed Jun 04 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1275
Total number of notes:18109

835.0. "HP rating for wooden boats?" by TRACTR::KOLADISH () Thu May 09 1991 17:35

    I have been given an old wooden power boat with no idea of
    of manufacturer.  The boat is good shape but I don't have any 
    idea of the HP rating for this boat any way of determining 
    what size engine I need.
    
    
    Thanks 
    John
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
835.1NEED PARTICULARSMR4DEC::DCADMUSFri May 10 1991 10:3415
    
    What is the make/length of the Boat? What type of
    construction(plywood,lapstrake,laminated wood?)  What is the age? 15"
    or 20" transom height?
    
    Outboards today are pretty high powered and if you have an older wooden
    boat, the HP available wasn't all that high. The boats also were not
    rated for HP in the "old days". I wnet through this with a 17' late 50's
    Thompson. Started with a 55 HP- was great except with a load in the
    boat.
     I ended up with a 85 HP and that was definitely overpowered- scared
    the H&%% out of me. I also had an 18' Thompson an had a old 75 HP
    Johnson Gas Guzzler on it- That Boat would fly.
835.2Details?EXPRES::GILMANTue May 14 1991 16:2915
    Yup, you must give us particulars... size, hull material, large
    timbered, small timbered (rib size) how fastened, rubust transom? etc.
    If you overpower it you may find the transom with your outboard
    attached 'passing you'.  My 17' cedar on oak framed boat, about 25
    years old handles a 25 hp Johnson just fine... but my gut feel is that
    is about as big as I would want to go.  Look for cracks in the paint at
    stress points on the transom to determine if it has overflexed in the
    past.  Also consider floatation.  If its a huge outboard will the boat
    support it when swamped?  You could beef the transom up if your in
    doubt.  THAT is the beauty of a wooden boat... its possible to modify/
    improve repair the boat without a complete metal working shop or
    molding Co. to support you. 
    
    Jeff
835.3HP rating for wooden boats?KENNY::CHESTERTue May 21 1991 17:137
    In a recient OFFSHORE  feb or mar there is an article on sizing the
    engine for a boat by Dave Gear (or is it Gerr).  If you want I can send
    you a copy.  
    
    Ken Chester
    Subsys::chester