---

Fellow 17' Montauk Runners,

Has anyone a 17' Montauk within the year model 1980 to 1992 powered with a newer 2005 or 2006 Mercury 90hp or a 115hp Optimax?

I am querious of the performance of either engine on this hull.
I presently have a 1986 Montauk with a 1996 90hp Mariner which tops out at
42 mph light load, 24 gals. of gas and myself at 5300 rpms with the prop being
a Laser II .. 13 1/4" X 20 pitch. Loaded the boat tops out at 39 mph with another passenger.

I understand the new motors described are 1.5 litre with more power able to turn up 5500 rpm to 5700 rpm with this prop.

Any performance description from owners with either engine set up would be appreciated.

Thanks ........... Jules
Houma, LA

---

Jules,

You might follow this thread also.
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...#post_2327

---

Well,
I made my mind up and purchased a 2006 Yamaha 115 2 stroke V-4 motor.
Three fishing buddy's have this engine on 17' Montauks, the oldest motor being 23 years old and the youngest being 12 years old and all motors running top notch.
They turn up 5500 rpm to 5600 rpm WOT. They cruise at 42 mph and run pinned down at 53 mph averaging all the 17' Montauks, 24 gals. fuel and 2 men.
Much better than the 1996 Mariner 90 hp I sold, which did run smooth but only 39 mph WOT and 2 men.
The 115 2 stroke Yamaha is also about 25 lbs. lighter than the new Mercs. and just jumps the boat out the hole and planes out amazingly quick.
We turn the Stiletto 13 1/4 X 19" pitch 3 blade propellor for these results.
I'm glad I found out what works for me and hope this helps someone else trying to decide on an engine and propellor combination for the 17' Montauk Whaler.
Thanks for reading .......... Jules :)

---

Jules,

That is one great motor. Congratulations.

Unfortunately, the people that live here in California cannot buy these 2 stroke engines.
We have too many people that want to tell the rest of the world how to live, what to eat, drink, and what time of the day that these things are allowed..... They want everyone to play by their rules and their rules only...
Sometimes I feel like Hitler is in charge of California....

---

Well Joe,

I sympathize for you. Some people spend too much time thinking of regulations to impose on others instead of enjoying the outdoors. You know here in South Louisiana, boating is a huge form of recreation as well as a transportation need.
We use these boats for our duck hunting needs, to and from the marsh leases, hauling blind materials, gasoline for generators, hauling lumber for deer stands, ice chests of ice for the meats gained, fishing, trawling for shrimp, water sports, and general joy riding in these beautiful cypress grove swamps and bayous.
Whew, I need a break now.
Anyway, boating has been a way of enjoying the offerings and rights to outdoors we are entitled to.
We will always have some who disagree with some of our personal enjoyments.
So, let them hug a tree. I'll be sitting in one enjoying the animals and coastal beauty as long as I am able.
This is just the reason why I have a Boston Whaler Boat. This boat will be run by my grandson and his grandson, with just a bit of up keep needed.
They will carry on traditions as thousands of families here share and pass on to future generations. We just let the opposing opinions roll off like water on a ducks back. You should take a trip here sometime and see for yourself the coastal wetlands and the different fashion of nature it provides.
Jules

---

I wish I knew how you all were getting those kind of speed numbers. I have a 1987 Montauk with a 1987 3 cylinder 90hp Mercury. I max out at maybe 35 a usually do about 32-33 with 2 people at 4800 rpms. My max rpm's are 5200. No clue what prop I am running, but it is stock. Is a new motor the answer to speed?

---

Hello Wilson,
When I had the 1996 90 hp Mariner on my Montauk, I experienced similar RPM's and speed with a Merc. Laser II 13 1/4 X 20" pitch prop.
I tried props until I bought a used Merc. Quicksilver 13 1/4 X 18" pitch propellor.
I brought it to a local prop shop to check the blades and add cup.
The RPM's came up to 5500 rpm with 2 men, 24 gals. gas, and the forward ice chest with a 20# bag of ice, trimmed up at WOT speed was 39 mph.
The cup in the propellor helped lift the bow and held strong, without allowing porpoising. The new $350.00 prop was out done by a used $40.00 prop. The older engine just could not turn the propellor to get the RPM's needed.
With the load as stated the GPS reading was 42 mph WOT with me alone.
The get out the hole performance was fantastic with little to no bow rise at take off.
The 3500 to 4500 RPM range just cruised so nice and the engine had no strain.
I hope this gives you a short cut to better performance.
Jules