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Need some input with regard to weight not horsepower please. Have a crazy good deal on a 2005 optimax with low hours/ fresh water/ all controls / seastar steering. Knowing that 150hp is the max rated, the boat would be dangerous if used at WOT, I intend to restrict power as power is not the goal here. That being said:

Weight is my concern - 225 optimax is 547 lbs vs. the v6 150 at 410lbs (not including the batteries and old style external trim pump). I believe that Outrage 18's commonly were dealer rigged with 2-75's - 75's weigh in at 299lbs each so the transom should hold just under 600lbs.

Plan to move the batteries under the console and the external trim pump is going away, so that transfers a portion of the difference in weight.

Thanks to all for input.

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With all transom weight questions there are several variables to know if your actual hull can handle the weight.

Some members have hulls that are bone dry and barely touch the water. Some members have hulls were the water line is below the drain tubes.

To know if your hull can adequately handle the weight, do a test.

Mark the waterline as it is now on the outside transom near the corner. Take a photo of the stern of the boat from 15 ft away.

Add misc heavy items to simulate the added weight in the splashwell. Mark the new waterline (don't get in the boat)
Take a photo from the same spot as above.

Add two heathy people standing in the stern, mark the waterline and take a photo.

One effective way to restrict power is fabricating a block mounted forward of the binnacle that will stop the throttle arm at the revised WOT speed. No messing with cables, engine linkage etc.

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Phil, great advice all around. I like the simplicity off the idea with the block and wide open throttle.

Garris

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I thought if you went over hp rating on specification plate that it was a problem with a Coast Guard inspection?

Doug

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50 percent overpowered, Why?

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OP is thinking of putting 200hp on boat rated for 150hp.
I thought this might be an issue with CG inspection.
I didn't know you were allowed 50% overpower.

I wouldn't want the liability if you have an accident. JMHO

Learning here, new to boats.

Doug

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You are not allowed to overpower by any percent. I was asking why he wanted to do this. The motor is to heavy for the boat, and will give him only somewhat higher top end, with lots of stability problems. The boat will go 50 mph with it's rated 150 power. At that speed, the boat needs to be handled with kid's gloves. So, I am just curious to the logic behind this engine choice

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Sorry Walter,
Obviously I misunderstood.
Sounds like he can get a really great deal.

Doug

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Before we get back to Dan's (Lost Sailor) venting issue, let me state one last thing.

WhalerCentral.com does not support or encourage owners exceeding the horsepower capacity plate on a Boston Whaler hull.

Here is one prior member discussion on the topic of exceeding the rated horsepower.

http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...d_id=18809

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Just because you can get a 225 at a good price, doesn't make it a "good deal" for this boat.

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I'd second PhilT's suggestions, then add another: scoop the deal on the 225, then trade down for a good small block V6 to resolve the weight issue.

I'm of the "lighter is better persuasion" for the Outrage 18, as I've run mine with 500 lbs plus on the transom, and much prefer the 400 lbs I have now.

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Phil referred to my earlier posting for HP ratings on boats. I personally do not believe you should go above the rated capacity of the boat. That being said, Tomelle asked weight issues and throttle control and specifically requested HP rating not be the center of discussion. I would like to believe he/she is aware of the repercussions of an "overpower". Let's answer the question and not pass judgement. I like the idea of "trade value". As stated in my earlier post, another deal came my way which was better than the original bargain I was regretting/questioning of the higher rated HP.

Garris

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Thanks for the input from all. I did expect some negative tending comments regarding the horsepower, but this has been pleasantly surprising. I am trying hard to be clear that this is not about how much HP I can try to cram on the back of my family runaround boat.

I can get this motor with all control including smart craft gauges and the seastar steering for under $5k. Otherwise i would never consider the due to the size.

Does anyone have an opinion that it is not overweight based on the common rigging of 2 - 75hp motors at a total near 600lbs.

I have thought of reselling the motor for smaller opti...150hp is real hard to find, lots of 200 / 225 motors out there.

thanks! to all

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Ballast the boat accordingly and run it to see what she does, water or sand bags should do the trick and easy to get rid of.

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I didn't know 70's weighed that much, if so, then your less then those 70's and should be ok?????.... if your hull is dry.


also think the 70's were mounted further apart and that 600 (if it is 600lbs) was spread out over a larger area on the transom.

good suggestions already, get the motor anyway, and sell it, an then buy your 150/ whatever size u want.

also coast guard inspections... my brother is in the USCG, and has never inspected a boat for its rated HP versus a capacity plate, you can replace the capacity plate, with a false one.

They don't carry around a booklet with every boat manufacture max HP rating.

He also has an over powered not as significant as a 225 on a 18, but 115 on a Montauk 17ft, also a 2005 optimax.

And loves the fuel economy and speed (50mph)

Id rig the thing if it would bolt to existing holes, after i tested it the way phil mentioned, because the trnasom may take the weight, but when u have 2 guys in the back fishing it may actually put it under the water back there. Thats not good while boating.

Only good to splash the decks when your on a submarine...

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My 1986 Evinrude 70hp weighed in at 247 pounds each.
A total of about 500 pounds for the pair plus the 2nd battery.

I thought that was heavy yet the boat did just fine as many other Whalers were also configured this way.

A 225 on the back would just seem much too big in physical size and look out of proportion to me on the boat.

Whatever works and looks good to you.
However, sometimes it just doesn't pay to save a few bucks.

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A 225 Optimax is the fastest 225 on the market, and should power an Outrage 18 to 60 MPH if desired.

So you will want to be careful of, and control, top end performance. But the boat will handle it. Fuel economy will be very good.

Since I bought my own Outrage 18 new in 1986, it has been powered with 600# of twin engines, mounted on 10" setback jackplates, and with a battery in each stern corner as Whaler designated.
The boat has performed fine, even in heavy offshore ocean seas. To keep static water out of the splashwell, I plug the three drain holes and have installed a little 500 GPH pump, with separate float switch, to get rid of any splash that may come in (not much).

See my Outrage 18 on the personal website link. With the twin 90's the boat does 50 MPH.

Weight wise, the boat can easily handle the 225 Opti, so much so that I would even keep the battery in the starboard stern corner, and the oil injection tank in the other. Incidentally, I think the Merc 225 OPti only weighs more like 515# in 25" shaft length.

You will want a Laser II, TEmpest Plus or Enertia prop. Do not use a Mirage Plus.

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I've got twin 70 hp yamahas and set back brackets bringing my transom weight to 562 lbs. My 1985 18' outrage is not as nimble as a single engine outrage but rides just fine. Expect water to splash over the transom if drifting in rough seas. It's more horsepower then you need but if the deal is good its good. Be careful and good luck!


(Edit: please follow guideline #1 on the front page and use the full 4 digit year for everything)

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I say go for it, use your head when taking advantage of the beans available if you do go forward with the new engine. When you do decide to give it a " good Hot Suppah" do it alone with calm uncluttered water. The insurance and law argument is saddening.

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I'm a newbie to this site, but I had to jump in on this one. I would, at all costs, never overpower any boat. That plat,,stating max hp, is there for a reason. if you could get a 300 hp for free, would you mount that?

I started out with a 13' with a 40 on it, a 15' SS powered with an 70 hp Evinrufe, moved up to a 17' Montauk, and now own an 18' Outrage. All were powered with max hp, according to the BW plate.

Now the Montauk hull was very forgiving with max hp, but the 15, with a 70, which it's rated for, is SCAREY fast. This boat,WILL chine walk when trimmed out all the way.

If you could add a bracket to your 18', maybe you would be able to mount the the bigger motor and run at WOT. I would be careful, as if checked, you would be fined, and possibly your boat confiscated until properly repowered.

It would be really hard to NOT run at WOT, as we all would want to try it to see "just how fast she'll do".

My 18, when trimmed out, runs on about the back 2-3' of pad and it goes plenty fast!

Just my 2 cents!

Tamarackcove

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The idea that the government, the law, will fine you for you deciding to alter a piece of Your property is a great reason not to do it.

I fully support that.

Don't exceed the plaque that states max hp for your boat.

The government is protecting you from yourself, you can't make a well informed decision.

The fact that your even considering altering your boat, outside manufacture guidelines is disgusting.

What if you hurt someone while being "out of bounds"?

....

What if...