Thread: 1560 Procraft motor question....

Here is what I know based on my experience with power to weight ratio.

I have a Alumacraft competitor rated for a 150hp motor.
I have a 140hp Suzuki motor. Both the boat and the motor are 6 months old.
With Suzuki, they built their 90hp, 115hp, and their 140hp with the same block (small block). They built the 150 and three others with their big block. The weight difference between my 140 and the 150 is about 60lbs. I have a friend that has the identical boat to mine but a 150hp motor. I actually get about 5mph top end more than he does based on the weight savings. I also get way better fuel economy than he does and my boat comes out of the hole a heck of a lot quicker.

A few short years ago, guys still wanted 2 stroke motors because the rating plates on most boats were rated for the two stroke weight (less than a 4 stroke). The 4 stroke took way longer to get the boat up on plane and even longer to run through the power cycle. Now days, they have come a long way. Almost to a point where there is little value to getting a 2 stroke vice a 4 stroke in terms of performance (I said almost).

If your biggest issue is getting a boat up on plane, you may simply want to look at installing a hydrofoil stabilizer. I personally have used the Doil Fin on many of my boats. In fact, this boat is the only one I have owned that I didn't put one on as I can hit the throttle and come right on plane.

If I were you, I would look at the weight of your current motor and compare it to todays weights and see where you come out. Then, you can find out how much weight savings you would have if you went to a 90hp Yamaha or Suzuki, or whatever.
I am strictly guessing here, but you might be happy with a 90hp motor that gives you the correct balance and enough HP to get her out of the water and up on plane. That said, the 115 will weight about the same. It usually boils down to money!

Another option would be the installation of trim tabs. Trim tabs in the down position will create drag in the water which, in turn will pull the front end of the boat down. Once the motor comes up on RPM, you can adjust the trim tabs (electric or Hydraulic) to get your bow in the sweet spot.

Hope this muddies the water for you and gives you a few options.

I should have mentioned that I already have the hydrofoil stablelizer on this motor. It never has a problem getting a plan with just me, but with another big person and a lot of weight sometimes it be a pain. I am also thinking that something that is a little smaller and maybe a bit slower will be a bit easier on the fuel - as that big inline 6 will drink the gas down like it was still under a dollar a gallon. THanks for the information though, I figure there is a sweet spot, that can probably computed with a mathematical formula between weight of the boat, motor, and HP - but I have no idea of what it is....

My opinion is this, a newer 90-115 should be all the motor needed. Now if that motor has trim and tilt there should never be an issue of not getting on plane. Maybe play with different props, or call Power Tech Props and tell them your boat, motor, load size etc and see what they suggest.