Upgrading Motor help, please

ystribling · June 21, 2012, 04:57:29 PM

Hello,
I have an 1997 Tracker Pro-17 with a 25 HP Mercury that came with it. I have recently started fishing bigger waters and was thinking of trading up to a larger motor. I think the boat is rated for about 75 HP at the most and based on weight and price I really wouldn't want to go any bigger than that anyway.
My question is what sized motor would I need to move up to in order to see a real difference in the top end speed of the boat? It probably tops out at just over 20 MPH now when I have it loaded up with 2 people on board.
Any help with this would be appreciated and thanks in advance.
JYS
this was also posted in the outboard section

TreyB55 · June 21, 2012, 05:06:18 PM

Anything... Lol. A 60 would probably be plenty for you and you'll see a pretty good difference. But if it's rated for a 75...... And you're upgrading anyway, I'd go ahead and get it

ystribling · June 22, 2012, 04:11:58 PM

Thanks Trey. I know almost anything would be an upgrade but the price tag on the newer motors is brutal. I don't think I want to spend $5-7,000 to pick up 5% more power.

socal Pat · June 22, 2012, 08:58:59 PM

Yah, you could buy a newer Pt175 with a 60hp merc for what you'd spend on the motor alone. I too am riding on a 25hp Bigfoot for that exact reason.

ystribling · June 25, 2012, 03:17:20 PM

Pat, I hear that and it is an option. But I have my little boat fixed up the way I like it with good elctronics, 3 batteris, onboard charger and a new trolling motor. But I would like to go a little faster.

socal Pat · June 25, 2012, 05:26:27 PM

Ha! then we're in teh exact same situation. I just put in a new Terrova and a new HDDI Humminbird. Just had my buddy out last weekend and with my livewell full I couldn't even plane. Shamefull!

ystribling · June 26, 2012, 10:41:40 AM

It is still better than paddling but a boosy in power sure would open up more of the big lakes to me.

ystribling · June 26, 2012, 10:42:17 AM

and a boosy is bad typing for boost.

TreyB55 · June 26, 2012, 04:11:03 PM

75 is about 5 mph in difference in a boat that size from a 60. That's with a light load. With two people, full tank, gear and livewells....probably just 2-3 mph. But I promise you, going up from a 25, you'll be ecstatic. Lol

ystribling · June 27, 2012, 09:38:43 AM

That is what was I thinking Trey. No i have to fisgure out how to do it with out going broke.

PT175SE · June 28, 2012, 05:17:37 PM

Ystribling, when you find a way to upgrade your outboard without going broke, please let me know as I would like to do the same.

-Bryan- · July 05, 2012, 06:22:40 PM

Quote from: ystribling on June 26, 2012, 10:42:17 AM
and a boosy is bad typing for boost.

You know you can edit that, right? LOL!

bass1cpr · July 05, 2012, 10:49:06 PM

I have a 2002 pt175 with a big foot 25 horse on it and with the prop that came with it 18 mph is top speed. The same boat with a 50 horse will run about 30 or 31 mph. A 60 horse will move that to mid thirty's and a 75 horse should move it about 41 to 43 mph. I'm looking for props to try as the one that came with my boat is really for a pontoon and more of a power prop for moving weight. I know the dealership I work at has used motors and I think there are a couple of 60 Merc's there.

Ron Fogelson · July 05, 2012, 11:27:02 PM

Quote from: bass1cpr on July 05, 2012, 10:49:06 PM
I work at has used motors and I think there are a couple of 60 Merc's there.

Got any Mercs in the 225 - 250 size?

brivabeach · July 06, 2012, 09:21:30 AM

Quote from: bass1cpr on July 05, 2012, 10:49:06 PM
I have a 2002 pt175 with a big foot 25 horse on it and with the prop that came with it 18 mph is top speed. The same boat with a 50 horse will run about 30 or 31 mph. A 60 horse will move that to mid thirty's and a 75 horse should move it about 41 to 43 mph. I'm looking for props to try as the one that came with my boat is really for a pontoon and more of a power prop for moving weight. I know the dealership I work at has used motors and I think there are a couple of 60 Merc's there.

I was going to reply with pretty close to the same.

I have a 2010 Pro 170TX and it is rated up to a 50HP. I have a 50HP Merc 2-stroke and I get 30-32 fully loaded with 3 people and around 34-35 alone fully loaded both of these are with a full tank of gas and livewell filled. If you move up to a 50 or more you should see significant differences in handling as well as speed. The best part is the 50HP 2-stroke gets really good gas mileage even at WOT.

Tight lines,
Brian

bass1cpr · July 06, 2012, 09:34:22 AM

Ron yes they do I'll post a price from an old list haven't got a newly up dated one yet. 2000 225 EFI #1138 $7000.00 , 2002, 225 Opti Max $6500.00,
Note - Installation, props, controls&cables are "not" included.

I'll get a new sheet when I get by the shop to see if they still have these and if there are any new one's not on this list.

Ron Fogelson · July 06, 2012, 12:20:27 PM

Cool thanks

Brudd · July 07, 2012, 06:41:31 AM

I'd consider the Yamaha 70 four stroke. It's over 100 lbs lighter than the Mercury 2 stroke. It would be quiet, reliable and easy on gas.

When making this kind of purchase don't look just at the cost as a measure of worth. Anytime you buy a new boat or motor it loses monetary value the moment you sign the papers. Any way you slice it, this won't be "cheap". But, shop around for a deal on a used motor. If your 25 is in goos shape you can sell it and not be in terrible shape. But it will cost money.

ystribling · November 20, 2012, 10:36:22 AM

Hey, Thanks for all the input. I think I am going to look for a used 60-75 for the boat. Would like a 4 stroke but will have to see what the prices determine. If anyone has a place to get a reliable used OB I would appreciate any advice.
Thanks.

-Bryan- · November 20, 2012, 11:11:49 AM

Make sure you factor in any controls and such that you might need, some of that stuff can be pricey.

Oldfart9999 · February 23, 2013, 09:21:57 AM

I bought a 95 PRO DEEP V 16 last spring, it had a 40 on it, adequate, barely. The motor blew and I had to find one, in the west half of the state the only thing I could find was a 2009 Merc 50 2 stroke, brand new which was great, the dealer had a pontoon that finally sold but the new owner didn't want the 50, I got it with full warranty. 10 horse upgrade but what a difference, it pops on plane, and I gained about 4mph. The boat is heavier than yours but with the 50, alone, she runs about 32 gops. If I could have found a used 75 I would have gone that way but at the time nobody in the west half of NY had anything used, go figure.
Merc has a new 4 blade aluminum prop based on the Fury Stainless that is supposed to give you a bit more speed and a better hole shot. May be when the rest is upgraded.
Rodney