motor question for new boat??? Help!!

triton1369 · 03-21-09, 09:02 PM

I am ready to buy a new triton explorer 17 it is the perfect boat for me, however I am unsure of the engine to power it with. The boat is only rated to a 90 but the dealer says that the optimax is too heavy for it. He is pushing me to the merc 60hp 4 stroke . I am loveing the idea of the small 4 stroke because I do a whole lot of trolling and speed is no concearn. I also welcome the thought of better fuel economy and less noise.
My question is if this is enough engine or not. I want the boat to get up on plane without any problems, and dont want the boat to be a total dog.
Whats the scoop guys, I gotta stick with merc, cause thats all my dealership carries. Thanks Bill

boater · 03-21-09, 09:26 PM

What is the difference in weight? I was under the inpression that 4 strokes were much heavier.Was I mislead?

triton1369 · 03-21-09, 10:03 PM

60 hp 4 stroke weighs 247
75-90 hp opti max is 375 thats 125 lbs more so who knows?
dealer says that the boat is usualy sold with the 50hp 2 stroke on it, so the 60 is plenty, but Im a little shy. Im not worried about top speed really, I just dont want to have problems with getting out of the whole and getting the boat planed out when its loaded.

ally260 · 03-21-09, 10:24 PM

Looked up 3 17's on tha net. All had 90 Opti's on 'em (dealer rigged). Here's one of 'em. http://www.theusedboatshop.com/viewa...81822910100053
Thats a 1000lb + boat. Put all ya can stand on it. For resale if nothin' else. Give tha guy a call and just ask 'em about it...........T

MIbasser · 03-21-09, 10:37 PM

I have just the carb 90 on my Explorer. I wish that I would have bucked up and put on the Opti. But, don't get anything less. I can run 48 GPS with a pretty good load. I tried trolling with mine. Don't recommend it.

If you have any other questions on the boat let me know.

triton1369 · 03-21-09, 10:41 PM

MI basser
what length is your explorer and how well do you like it? if you have the 17, do you wish you had went with the 18?

barkelypup · 03-21-09, 10:43 PM

Ally hit the nail on the head. If I was a betting man I would bet that dealer has had that 60 four stroke for a while and wanting to pawn it off on you. I haven't priced the 4 strokes in a while but I think they are a little more pricy than 2 strokes. My guess is the guy is trying to hone you on one. Heck I would call Triton and ask them or Call another dealer.

bP

ally260 · 03-21-09, 10:55 PM

Just one other thing ta think 'bout. I'm sure Triton knows tha weight of tha motors!

MIbasser · 03-21-09, 11:10 PM

I have the 17 explorer. I really like it. If I had the extra money I would have went with an 18' boat with a 150 on it. I tow it with an Equinox (front wheel drive) and didn't have any issues.

I put an LMS-520 in the dash and moved the X52 up front. I want to get a SS prop and a larger TM but I'm going to put that off for a little while. Other than that it's worked great as a first bass boat.

1FASTLASER · 03-27-09, 05:33 AM

Hmmmmph.........tp heavy for the boat he says.........first thing I would say to the dealer is ...Dont ya think that the company that BUILT THIS BOAT knows a little more than you do. I also think that he is just trying to dump the 60. 125lbs on the rear of that boat is not gonna hamper you. The OPTI will idle very well for you and troll for LONNNNNG periods. Several of your tourning pro's doing the walleye circut run OPTI's and will never look back.

03-21-09, 09:02 PM	#1
triton1369 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13	motor question for new boat??? Help!! I am ready to buy a new triton explorer 17 it is the perfect boat for me, however I am unsure of the engine to power it with. The boat is only rated to a 90 but the dealer says that the optimax is too heavy for it. He is pushing me to the merc 60hp 4 stroke . I am loveing the idea of the small 4 stroke because I do a whole lot of trolling and speed is no concearn. I also welcome the thought of better fuel economy and less noise. My question is if this is enough engine or not. I want the boat to get up on plane without any problems, and dont want the boat to be a total dog. Whats the scoop guys, I gotta stick with merc, cause thats all my dealership carries. Thanks Bill

03-27-09, 05:33 AM	#10
1FASTLASER BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: crossett,arkansas Posts: 2,777	Hmmmmph.........tp heavy for the boat he says.........first thing I would say to the dealer is ...Dont ya think that the company that BUILT THIS BOAT knows a little more than you do. I also think that he is just trying to dump the 60. 125lbs on the rear of that boat is not gonna hamper you. The OPTI will idle very well for you and troll for LONNNNNG periods. Several of your tourning pro's doing the walleye circut run OPTI's and will never look back. __________________ Laser's rule with Merc's doing the pushing..........KEEP THE WETSIDE DOWN AND THE DRY SIDE UP!!!!!!

03-21-09, 09:26 PM	#2
boater BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: O'Fallon Missouri Posts: 283	What is the difference in weight? I was under the inpression that 4 strokes were much heavier.Was I mislead?

03-21-09, 10:03 PM	#3
triton1369 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13	60 hp 4 stroke weighs 247 75-90 hp opti max is 375 thats 125 lbs more so who knows? dealer says that the boat is usualy sold with the 50hp 2 stroke on it, so the 60 is plenty, but Im a little shy. Im not worried about top speed really, I just dont want to have problems with getting out of the whole and getting the boat planed out when its loaded.

03-21-09, 10:24 PM	#4
ally260 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ft. Worth, Tx Posts: 97	Looked up 3 17's on tha net. All had 90 Opti's on 'em (dealer rigged). Here's one of 'em. http://www.theusedboatshop.com/viewa...81822910100053 Thats a 1000lb + boat. Put all ya can stand on it. For resale if nothin' else. Give tha guy a call and just ask 'em about it...........T

03-21-09, 10:37 PM	#5
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	I have just the carb 90 on my Explorer. I wish that I would have bucked up and put on the Opti. But, don't get anything less. I can run 48 GPS with a pretty good load. I tried trolling with mine. Don't recommend it. If you have any other questions on the boat let me know.

03-21-09, 10:41 PM	#6
triton1369 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13	MI basser what length is your explorer and how well do you like it? if you have the 17, do you wish you had went with the 18?

03-21-09, 10:43 PM	#7
barkelypup BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: I'm a Hillbilly in Kentucky Posts: 223	Ally hit the nail on the head. If I was a betting man I would bet that dealer has had that 60 four stroke for a while and wanting to pawn it off on you. I haven't priced the 4 strokes in a while but I think they are a little more pricy than 2 strokes. My guess is the guy is trying to hone you on one. Heck I would call Triton and ask them or Call another dealer. bP

03-21-09, 10:55 PM	#8
ally260 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ft. Worth, Tx Posts: 97	Just one other thing ta think 'bout. I'm sure Triton knows tha weight of tha motors!

03-21-09, 11:10 PM	#9
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	I have the 17 explorer. I really like it. If I had the extra money I would have went with an 18' boat with a 150 on it. I tow it with an Equinox (front wheel drive) and didn't have any issues. I put an LMS-520 in the dash and moved the X52 up front. I want to get a SS prop and a larger TM but I'm going to put that off for a little while. Other than that it's worked great as a first bass boat.

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