---

I am looking at a classic Montauk 17 for my next project. The one I am looking at has 70hp Johnson that does not run. Isn't a 70hp too small for that size boat. If I go with this one I will get a new motor and probably get an ETEC. Any suggetions as to the max I should put on it?

---

First of all, great project and lots of fun!
I own a montauk 1980 and i run a 115 mariner 2stroke.
I'm a bit overpowered as max for this boat is 100.
The min for planning with this boat is 60Hp, with the 70
i think you're ok but don't expect high end speed.
For one thing i'm sure about: i'll be jealous with your fuel
consumption;)
The 90 E-TEC is my 1st option if i ever repower this boat.
By the way the 115 FLYES!!!B)

---

Tom,

The min hp recommended for planning a 17 is 40hp. I have seen a lot of Montauks over the years with 70's and everyone I have talked to with a 70 has been happy with it.

Now, my personal opinion is I would want a Montauk to have a 90 on it but, if I bought one with a 70 I might be able to live with it..

---

ioptfm,

I have a 1968 16' whaler with a yamaha 90hp, shes goes pretty well cant remember but think its just shy of 40kts wot. fuelwise, i was commuting 12miles a day to work and would run about 8-11 gallons per week depending on how late to work i was.

there have been times i wish i had 100hp, but for 99% of the things i do the 90hp is perfect. Not sure i'd be happy with less than a 90hp.

not sure the weight of the etec, but sure sounds like people like it!

Goodluck.
dana

---

A Montauk with a 90 HP 2-stroke pretty much jumps up on plane, and will do over 40 MPH. I don't think you need more, and if I were repowering, I would go with a 90 ETEC. I don't think I'd want to hang any more weight than that (about 320 for the ETEC) on the transom, especially if you ever want to use a kicker motor. In my mind, the only argument for a 70 would be less weight in the back, and I'm sure it would be adequate, but the 90 is very nice. There was a discussion on... ahem... another website, where someone put a 60 ETEC on a montauk. After trying various props, he was getting 33.5 MPH at a WOT of, I think, 5600. I would be a little disappointed with that kind of power.

---

While my prior boat, a 1987 Montauk had a 90 hp engine, I don't think 70 hp is bad. The only issue would be if you had 4 people, tons of gear and want to it go 40 mph. I have seen a dozen or so classic Montauks with 70's, 2 and 4 strokes. Not a bad choice.

Given all the options, for the money/reliability/weight/efficiency a E-TEC 75 or 90 is a good choice. I don't think you will really feel the difference between the two.

---

My 37 year old Montauk does around 35 MPH running a 2000 70 Horse Johnson with an aluminum prop. I have no complaints at all.

---

90 is a good fit for the boat. i can put you in touch with a great mechanic on James Island who did my boat. if you want to save some $$ you can pick up a 4-5 year old yamaha 2 stroke for cheap as people have foresaken these gems to switch to 4 strokes. the yami 90 2 stroke is a near perfect match for the boat. that is my plan when the old evinrude gives up on me.
good luck

---

I owned a 1978 Montauk for 15 years. When I bought it, it had a brand new 1985 Evinrude 70hp on it.

She would do around 30 mph, give or take a couple depending on how many people.
I was satisfied with the hp except for a few times when the water was smooth and my hand was heavy....

If I would have repowered, it would have been with a 90 hp E-Tec.
If I didn't live in CA., a Yamaha 90 would also be a good choice.
A used Johnson or Evinrude 90 would also be another choice but due to today's fuel prices, the fuel economy on the newer E-Tecs would be worth buying.

---

My brother in law had a Montauk that he originally powered with a 70 Suzuki. One time we took the boat from Port Hardy, Vancouver Island, BC to Rivers Inlet BC, then up the inlet 15 miles. It was about a 70 mile jaunt one way. We had three people in the boat and it was loaded for a week of camping and fishing. 70 hp was very adequate, especially since you can't go very fast in the ocean anyway.

That being said, later in the boat's life, Matt repowered the boat with a Mercury 115. It was possible to get the boat chine walking if the motor was trimmed out and the throttle wide open. He did not do that too often.

Doug

---

As my brother in law has often pointed out, few people ever wish for less horsepower on the back of their boat! But I think it's fair to ask how the boat will be used. If your average trip is just a few miles to hit the beach or go fish, do you really need to go 50MPH in a 17 foot boat? If you are okay with going 32 to 35 on flat water then you will be okay with a 70. 90 if you really feel the need for speed. Anything more than that is overkill in my humble opinion.

Who's using the boat is another consideration. When we bought our Whaler my son was a sophmore in high school. The 17 Montauk is a great boat for kids. Big enough to be safe carrying a few friends, but small enough to be easily handled solo. The 70 HP Johson turned out to be perfect. If you have kids and plan on letting them go solo having 115 or 125 horses on the stern seems like asking for trouble.

---

I think that I wiil go with the 90 ETEC. I have a 60 ETEC on my 15 and as far as I'm concerned, the ETEC is the best thing on the market for the $$$$$.........Now all I have to do is acquire the Montauk at what I'm hoping to pay for it. When I finish it, there will be a great 15' Sport available for someone! :)

---

i just purchased a 1972 17 foot boston whaler bass boat (newport boat with bass boat cap on top ) if i take the cap off i have a new top deck on boat it came with a 150 mer on it i know it's overpowered butt i won't need the full throttle to run fast i will repower with a 100 when this engine quits good luck with the boat can't beat a whaler try to get the 70 running and see how you like it if not go bigger it really depends how fast you want to go proud new bwowner

---

Several have suggested getting the motor on it running, but I've found in the long run when you take inconsideration the amount of time and money spent on getting an old motor in good running condition it just isn't worth it..............not to mention the peace of mind with a new motor knowing it's not going to constantly make you worry about getting back to the dock.