is 50 hp merc too much?
 

Im lookin to get a new boat probably a 1648 flat bottom weld-craft. My question is whether a 50 hp tiller is too much, how bad will it be on your arm, and if anyone has any experience with the new Mercury Big Tiller. Dont want the power steering option on the handle. Also the boat will be rigged out with trolling motor, two batteries, pedestal seats, and plywood floor just to give you an idea of the weight. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Any opinions on a rig like this with a tunnel hull?

i've seen plenty of 50's on 18x42 tunnels cant see it being a problem with an 16x48. I run a 16x42 with a 25hp but wouldn't see a problem going to a 40hp on it. If I'm not mistaken I don't think there is a big difference between the 40's and 50's. Need to run this by Montauk though he should be able to confirm my opinion. I say do it though. If they can run a 35 hp surface drive (which is heavy as hell) i dont see why you couldn't run a 50hp outboard!!

A lot of people run 40 mercury's with 60 carbs on 1548's so I would think a 1648 could handle a 50.

Let it fly man! I had A 70hp super hopped up surfacedrive on a custum built 1648, and it ran like a bat out of hell. I have 3/8 plywood floor, and rigged with bow mount trolling motor. The only thing you may need is welded on trim tabs, that you can bend a 1/4 in. at a time to get it to lay down corectly. I did not need them , but every boat is diffrent. All I can tell you is hold the **** on , and its always better to have more horse power thal B***S!

I run a merc 40 on my 18x42 weld craft and gps @38. IMO, 16&17' boats are not long enough to get the performance out of a tunnel.
Weight distribution is too far to the back of the boat. $'s to go longer aren't that much different if you choose go that route.

Friend of mine has a 16 X 52 Alweld with a tiller 50 mounted to a jack plate on the back. He loves the setup. I say go for it. You can always down grade if you decide it is to much.

sounds good too me! I fish with a 35 on a 1448 rivited john boat, fished the pearl this a.m. and hammered em!

Thanks for everyones advice. im thinking im gonna go with a 40 merc now. but its killing my soul that they are made in china[40hp-60hp]

Do it! We had a blast growing up running an old 4 cylinder Merc 50 short shaft on a 1448 side console. That puppy screamed. We added a redwood lat subfloor - old cooling tower tear down scraps.
;-)

i'd go with a 50 tohatsu if new, (merc/yamaha 3 cylinders 15 in are a good find)

I have been shopping the same setup, except 18', and cannot find a Merc dealer with much info on the "big tiller" setup... Didnt know they were made in China, looks like I will go with a Tohatsu instead...

Thanks

yea the china thing is bothering me. I thought i would go with the lesser of evils(japan) and get a yamaha before i found out that in my horepower range the majority of the engine is made in china and then is assembled in china. Its a plant built by mercury in china and they probably good motors but its just the principle of it. I got a buddy who runs a 40hp tohatsu and it seems to be a good motor. Talked to a salesman today at bass pro who was slightly familiar with the big tiller but said to call back tomorrow when his guys in the shop get back in and he'd have me more information and a price. i'll let you know what i find out

What are the advantages,disadvantages to a long shaft in the 40/50 hp range. All ive ever had is short shaft but yamaha doesnt even make one anymore and mercury dealers wants an arm and a leg for a short shaft EFI with electric start and trim. They say its a special order and the prices they quote make the long shafts actually cheaper

A long shaft may require you to add a jack plate for peak performance depending on how your transom is built

Ok i checked on the big tiller option today at bass pro. Salesman said it was an extra grand so thats out. So i finaly decided on a 40 merc efi tiller on a 1548 weld-craft only to learn that our goverment (or somebodies, not mine) has decide to take away commercial ratings on aluminum boats and you can no longer have a 40hp on a 1548. The salesman at Dockside Marine told me that they dont know all the details yet but that the commercial rated boats they have is all they are gonna get. briefly talked to someone at weld-craft who said it was true but at the same time wasnt sure what the future guidelines would be.

Have you checked with other brands like Weld-bilt or Southfork to see what their hp rating is for a 1548?

No not yet but i intend to. the way dockside talked it was an industry wide situation

There is no HP limitation on any hull if you do not plan to insure or don't mind voiding the warranty.

I got a 16x50 xpress with a 70 yamaha, so you should be fine.