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Alfred: I had a 1972 17 Tashmoo (old style hull) with a 45 hp Honda, which I used for a summer of testing. Top speed for me was 26 knots. As with many four-strokes, not much happens until the tach gets above 3500 rpm. Great on fuel, though. Peter
I piloted a 23' C-Hawk last year for a security job (P/T weekends) patroling the oyster beds for poachers in (where else) "Oyster Bay", Long Island. The boat had a Honda 200 H.P. four stroke motor. It was VERY quiet, and was in very good shape for the amount of hours on it, it pushed the boat very well at 5000 rpm, and never gave me ANY trouble while on patrol. It was so quiet, somebody (NOT ME) left it running, and went home after their shift.
I put 350 hours on a Yamaha 50 hp High Thrust four stroke on a Katama and never found it to be underpowered. Steve/17 Bodega has put at least another 400 hours on that rig and is very pleased. My boat topped out at 30 mph/5900 rpm, but it was great for the lumpy Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco. But remember, the Katama is lighter than a Montauk, and I almost never fished my boat with more than two adults and a child, and I never waterskiied, wakeboarded, etc,
My 17' Nauset is powered by a 60 HP 4stroke. It is now faster than any of the previous 4 assorted power plants that pushed her along, and does everything and more that I ask it to...and it's excellent on gas.
If you're getting the motor good used, go for it, it'll do a fine job. If you're buying new, you might consider a 60, depends what your using it for. The fish truly won't care about the extra 10 HP...
probally the biggest question to ask before getting an answer is what is your end use of the boat. Fishing on an inland lake with yourself? Or, Pulling a skier with the boat and 4 people aboard? Offshore fishing in large open water?
For me our 90 hp Mariner was just right for the boat and after operating it for 11 years I would want nothing less than a 90 on the stern of a Montauk.
I put a new 1999 Montauk together with a Merc 50 4stk. It was set up to be a lake fishing boat and the combination was great for me. With a light load it would turn 33 mph on the gps and fuel consumpsion was next to nothing.
I had to sell it a couple years ago but am now the owner of a new 150 Montauk with the Merc 60 4 stk. After running this 60 I think you may be happier with it.
Dick
