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I'm re-powering my 1966 13'3" Boston Whaler Sport. I'm purchasing a late 1980's 40 HP short shaft engine and the marine mechanic is increasing the HP on this engine to at least 50HP, and maybe a maximum of 60HP but the motor hood decals will still be the original 40HP. The motor will still weigh 150 - 180 lbs max. The motor was also sold in a 50HP version w/ almost the exact same parts as the 40HP version I'm buying was..

I know the max rated HP on this boat according to Whaler is 40HP. The marine mechanic I'm buying it from says he's up powered the 13'3" whalers a number of times and even has one customer who's pushing 70HP on this boat (still with a light weight engine). He says one advantage I'll get is better gas mileage because I can run at a much lower throttle speed. I'm not sure of the USCG rules here in Massachusetts but I think they state you can't exceed the max HP rating for the boat.

I asked about the safety factor of having the extra HP on my boat, and he said up to 50HP should be fine. If he gets more out of the motor than 50HP I can always not run it at full throttle. Does anyone have any experience overpowering this boat? Should I have any safety concerns with the extra power as long as I'm not adding extra motor weight?

Thanks,

NausetDog
ellismr@charter.net

ellismr@charter.net

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I've seen the 13' with a 50 H.P. on it a few times BUT, I don't recommend going over the "MAX." rated H.P. for the Hull, I'm sure that "Boston Whaler" recommend's that you DON'T over power the Hull, most outboard places will sell you a larger motor BUT, they will NOT install it on the boat if the recommended H.P. rating for the hull is exceeded because, of liability issues, if the boat is involved in a collision, the first question Coast Guard or local marine enforcement is going to ask is "Who installed an over powered engine on the hull" ?????
mw

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My little 13.3ft sport has had a 50 on it for 23 years. I grew up on it. I am currently in the process of restoration.

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I just put a 40hp Yamaha on a 1966 13' for CES and that little sucker scoots. Why would you want to go bigger?

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One very real issue is who will be using the boat. I have a Nissan 40 hp on mine and it can get very dangerous. I put a 15" prop on it and can get it to 45.1 mph trimmed right. That is exciting but in no way safe. There is no turning at that speed and wind or bumps can be disasterous. With more power and a load in the boat you could be fine. If someone else is using the boat and doesn't know what it's capable of, there could be a problem. You could prop it right and put in a throttle stop and still be plenty fast, and have the extra power for loads or pulling. Just be prudent.
Mike

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I agree a friend has a 13' with the old (I think it's a 1992, the last year they made it, not sure) 40 H.P., 4cyl Merc, rated at 47 H.P. It's scary fast, he pulls away from my 15' sport with a 50 H.P. on a flat day, if it's choppy in Bay though, I got HIM ! It depend's who's driving the boat as stated above. I have a blown 347 Mustang with "Nitrous" injection, I created a monster, It really is not street drivable, I have NEVER hit the Nitrous button, no reason to, I never let anyone drive the car, it's 850 H.P... My point is that it is really NOT usable, it's fun to drive but, a "USELESS" car, I wasted money going that extra step, It sit's in an auto cocoon in the garage, I'm even afraid to sell it for fear somebody will get killed in it, my point being that you really can't use the extra H.P., you can only get that 13' hull design to go "SO FAST", if you add more H.P., it becomes "unstable", get's "squirrely", and you get dumped in the Bay at a high rate of speed.
mw

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My 1987 40hp Yamaha does just fine on my 1966 13' BW. No Sense in going overbaord.....be happy with what you have bro. No sense in flexing your boat muscles on a 13' especially if you have loved ones on board with you.

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Thanks fro all the input folks, I really do appreciate it. You've convinced me to stick with the 40HP & save the extra $200 it would have cost me to tweak it up to a 50HP.

Really looking forward to getting this boat back in the water. It hasn't seen water in 10 years now, and my fondest memories are fishing for blues & stripers w/ my dad & bothers all the way back to 40 years ago.

Traveling out to Syracuse NY next month to p/u the motor & taking my two bothers w/ me to go camping and fishing. The three of us haven't camped together in 20 or 25 years so we're really looking forward to it.

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Good luck NausetDog.
I'm quite sure you will find 40 hp more than enough.

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Actually, MW, the FIRST question the Coast Guard is going to ask after the collision is, "Have you been drinking, sir?"
:D

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