Smoker craft outboard question

[erk444]

Hey guys, I just picked up this 15' smoker craft a few days ago. I haven't got it on the water yet but both outboards and trolling motor run great. My question is regarding the HP of the main motor. Is 70 HP to much? The guy I bought it from said he had it out on the water a couple times and I didn't question the horsepower of the motor before I brought it home. I know the best way is to get it out and test it but maybe someone with a little more experienced than me can chime in?

[Mfowl]

70hp seems like a lot for a 15' boat. I have a 40hp tiller on my 16' crestliner. I see a lot of 16' windshield boats with 60hp for the main. I wouldn't worry too much about it so long and there isn't a weight issue in the stern of the boat. If it sits too low you might be in danger of taking waves over the back in rougher water. Also it looks like that motor has been on the boat for a while and it's still on the trailer and not at the bottom of a lake. Give it a test run, you could probably sell that motor and down size to a used one if it is an issue.

[MADMAX]

I run a 25 hp 4 stroke Yamaha on my 15’ 9 “ Smokercraft Alaskan
Plenty

[HntnFsh]

That seems like a lot of motor for that boat. But its probably fairly light compared to a smaller 4 stroke. I would give it a test run!

[erk444]

It does have a 12 gal (I think ) gas tank and a live well up front. And the trolling motor and anchor add quite a bit of weight so I'm hoping that may balance her out a bit?

[Dan-o]

I bet it flies!

[BigGoonTuna]

Those old OMC triples are great motors.  Really simple and parts are widely available since they made them from the mid 70s to the mid 90s.  They only weigh about as much as a 30hp 4 stroke too.

What's the boat rated for?  I had a 14' Alaskan (non windshield model) and I think it was rated for 40hp.  Windshield boats are usually rated higher.  I'll bet the hole shot on that thing is great.

[CP]

A quick google reveals the Max hp for your boat is 35hp.   I don’t know if that is with a tiller or a helm.  Helm is usually rated higher.

But your boat (all boats) should have a placard that states the max hp.   

[Blacklab]

Nice boat👍 When I had my 15 foot smoker craft. It had a 30 horse Yami on it. With all the gear in and my fat butt. I could get 26 miles an hour tiller. I think it was rated for 35 like I said above. I’d check it out if you’re comfortable with it, leave it alone if not fix it

[CP]

I’ll just throw this out for you to consider.  Do you really need the kicker since you have the bow mounted trolling motor? 

Maybe replace the kicker with more battery in the bow.  Looks like an 8hp, probably 80lbs or so that’s aft of the stern.  That should make a big improvement in the balance and trim. 

[Dhoey07]

If you decide to repower, I have a 2005 40hp merc I'd sell ya for cheap 

[erk444]

This is the feed back I was looking for! Great idea on losing the kicker and putting an extra battery up front, thanks for that idea CP! And that 40 HP merc will be at the top of the list if it's to scetch out on the water Dhoey07, thanks!

[Irish_hunter93]

I had a 16' smokercraft Alaskan just like your boat with a windshield and Bimini top. It had a 50 merc 4 stroke and that thing scooted right along, about 30-32 mph . Was plenty of motor for that light little boat! It also had a 8 horse merc kicker.

[Irish_hunter93]

Me personally, I wouldn't loose the kicker, you never know when engine or lower unit troubles will strike, that's your lifeline back to shore, my 2cents.


I've known 2 people who've had to run back in to the dock on a kicker before, 1 in bad weather. Not a chance I want to take.

And a 2nd battery in my opinion is a must.

Again, just my 2 cents

[Irish_hunter93]

You can also pull your floorboards and take out some of that floatation foam, or at the very least check to make sure it's not waterlogged, that helps a ton! Check while you're in there to make sure your drains aren't clogged up either.

Best way I found to remove it fast is a flexible extension or two hooked to a drill with a wire bristle  cup brush and a shop vac.


If you decide to re-foam it, it's not cheap, and you'll want to be mindful of hosing down your deck surface.


I'll stop going down the rabbit hole, hope this helps!

[erk444]

Me personally, I wouldn't loose the kicker, you never know when engine or lower unit troubles will strike, that's your lifeline back to shore, my 2cents


I've known 2 people who've had to run back in to the dock on a kicker before, 1 in bad weather. Not a chance I want to take.

And a 2nd battery in my opinion is a must.

Again, just my 2 cents

Honestly that was my first thoughts. Either a stronger troll in wind or current or insurance to get back to shore. Thanks for the tips on the foam too!

[Irish_hunter93]

👍

[erk444]

So the tag in the boat says 50hp. Not a huge weight difference between the two according to a quick google search so we'll see how she does out on the water. Thanks to all for the info!

[Remdawg]

I have a 25hp merc on my 15ft smoker craft tracer, I would prefer to have a 40hp. If the weight of your 70hp is not to far off of the 50 that the boat is rated for I would stick with the 70hp.

[GWP]

My 16 Tracker was rated for a 90, but came with a 40, which overall I was happy with and it was a gas sipper. I did put a Piranha power prop on it as it would not plane with three guys and gear in it before.
The kicker may come in handy if you need to do a little faster trolling. I used to have my 6 hp kicker just above an idle (to where I could still pull start it without changing the throttle or gear shift) with the steering locked down and used the bow mount Terrova for directional control.  It worked great that way.
The current 19' boat I have has probably twice the HP (175) it needs, but I do not use it all unless I want to get somewhere quickly as it sucks a lot of fuel.
I use the kicker and bow mount combo often with it.
Try your boat first and see how you like it as is. It may be fine as is.

[MIKEXRAY]

I say run it just like it is, maybe u keep it to two people or something if ur worried about weight. I'd much rather run a 70 hp at half power than running a 35 hp wide open all time lol to go anywhere. As stated before the kicker is nice for backup , can always get in no matter what. Good luck and have fun ! 

[erk444]

So I was able to get it on the water the other day and I think the 70 horse will be just fine! I wasn't able to open her up cuz of the chop but she's definitely got enough power! Time to load the crab pots and put her to use!

[IslandHunter]

I have a 17ft Al bayrunner with the same engine and similar weight kicker. My boat is definitely a$$ heavy and I need to work on weight distribution. My boat is rated for 65 hp so I don't feel too bad with the 70 on there.

Running a 70 on a boat rated for 50 is pushing your luck and safety in my opinion. In my case I fully restored the boat and rebuilt the transom so as least I know it as strong if not stronger than it was when it came out of the factory. I still plan on swapping it for a 50 or 60 hp this winter.

You won't know until you test it on the water but I would be trying to find a light weight 40 or hp if I was you.