Bass tracker Pro 16 hp question

[Crappieorbust]

I have a bass tracker pro 16. Bought used, came with 40hp Johnson and steering wheel console. I took the console out and the 40 hp off. The boats interior was set up like a pan fish boat which is why I wanted it. I put a 9.9 on it. I don’t go far fast for sure but the 2 lakes I mainly fish had a 10hp max limit. The lakes have in the past year raised the limit to 25 hp. I would like to get a 25 hp 4 stroke with stick steer. I know it will still be under powered but will it be powered enough to venture out on some of the bigger lakes safety? Lakes such as Weiss or Guntersville. Thoughts needed, welcomed and even encouraged.

[scrat]

My pro 16 has a 25 Johnson on it and it does around 21mph witch is plenty fast for me. Best to always get off any water before weather gets very bad.

[Crappieorbust]

Totally agree, was going sat night until the storm clouds rolled in. Didn’t take me long to rethink mine plans.

["G"]

My pro 16 has a 25 Johnson on it and it does around 21mph witch is plenty fast for me. Best to always get off any water before weather gets very bad.

[pescador]

I have that same boat with the 40 hp on it. Where I fish are usually small Lakes, I have had speed boats go by and give me a pretty good rockin! This boat is very narrow and I wouldn't venture on a Big Lake unless it was a calm day, and then I would have a constant eye on the wind. Good luck and be safe.

[scout-j-m]

Does the 9.9 hp get it on plane? I would think not but Ive been wrong plenty of times before lol.

I think a new 25hp 4 stroke would work adequately if propped right. But it may also benefit a lot from a jack plate and/or trim to get it to run to its full potential. If you went with an older 2 stroke there are 25hp models that can be modified to 30/35 hp equivalents. An easy one to do that on is probably a late 80s 20 or 25 johnson/evinrude which only requires a carb swap and intake swap (I think). Then there are the 25hp 3 cylinder/3 carb motors from Tohatsu/Suzuki/Yamaha which can usually accept 40hp carbs and see a lot of gain out of tweaks to the powerhead and exhaust tuner.

I'm guessing the lakes you are referring to a Catoma and Duck River reservoir? You are right, neither are very big at all and I can run them both end to end in my 1648 with 15hp Johnson no problem at 20mph but I bets its slow going with your current setup. Ive never been one to try to push the hp limits too much but I did buy a 30hp with 25hp stickers myself to use there. I'd like to play it by the books and get a true 25hp though....or at least a true serialized 25hp with some modifications. My riveted 1648 will ride good to about 30mph but its not the best hull for going any faster or if water is even slightly choppy. And really that's as fast as I ever need to go. I bought the boat exclusively for these lakes thinking they would keep the 10 hp limit intact. If I had known it would be 25hp I would have gotten a slightly larger welded boat so that it would be more utilitarian and be big enough to take to some bigger lakes.

[Crappieorbust]

No, 9.9 will not even think of getting it on plane. I would like the extra 5hp but if I play by the rules I never have to get nervous when I see the game wardens coming. Not to be a prude but I’ll just stay in the rules boundary. Thanks for the input. Not in a hurry, my wants and my wallet are not always in tune with each other.

[Blackjeepjk]

I’ve got 2 local small lakes that have 10hp restrictions and I had 30hp Johnson. They both told me that the 10 hp restrictions were for wake restrictions because of canoes/kayaks and that I could use the 30 as long as I didn’t create any wake for any of the non powered boats. Fished 3 yrs with no problems.


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[scout-j-m]

No, 9.9 will not even think of getting it on plane. I would like the extra 5hp but if I play by the rules I never have to get nervous when I see the game wardens coming. Not to be a prude but I’ll just stay in the rules boundary. Thanks for the input. Not in a hurry, my wants and my wallet are not always in tune with each other.

That's a good approach. If I do keep my 1648 I will likely try to get a brand new 25hp EFI 4-stroke which will pair well with the hull and be 100% within the rules.

I think the other poster is also correct as I've been told the hp restrictions are always in effort to limit bank erosion from wakes as opposed to reducing emissions. I think common sense goes a long ways meaning if you have a modified 25 or even a larger motor by the serial number, as long as you operate it at a reasonable speed and operate safely then there won't be any problems.

[Crappieorbust]

I can’t verify the validity of this but I read a post on Facebook where a guy wanted to put his 40 hp motor and boat in the duck river reservoir and only use his trolling motor. He was told that the prop had to be removed in order to do so.