Re-Power of 1973 Osprey 170

[Andover_CT]

Hello All,
new member, first post... thanks for letting me in! Have a re-power question---I traded a full brake repair job on a galvanized ez-loader for this boat. I just fell in love with its layout and design right when I saw it---the nose reminds me of a dory. I'll attach pics of it when I get a chance, its clean and has been sitting for 10 years in dry storage. No soft spots and the transom is solid--the gas tank I have to pull and figure out as the previous owner had (2) 6 gallon tanks on deck and the line cut off.

It has an equally old (1973...) 135 Johnson on it and the motor is just a mess... plus the fuel consumption would put me in the poor house. Sitting in my garage is a minty fresh water long shaft Johnson 40. If a guy was just trying to build a nice fishing rig for CT lakes and up / down the CT river would this be enough motor for a 170? I'm not expecting anything close to what the 135 would do--but could I expect 15-20 mph? Or am I off my rocker and need to find a decent 75--90?

Thanks Much

Tony
Andover_CT

[Capt. Bob]

Two thoughts.

First, IMHO the 135 is not the ideal motor for that boat. You would be much better served with either a 90 or 115.

Second, at birth, Aquasport models of that era were relatively lightweight and a well running 40 would propel the hull but...Add your weight and supplies plus 46 years of water soaked flotation/stringers and you are going nowhere fast so....
I'd be inclined to shop around for little more hp and maybe sell/trade/swap the 40 toward say that 75/90 hp range.



Good luck.  

[TooLoose]

I agree with Capt Bob.
Certainly wont know for sure, but assuming I had 35% of the power I do now on my 17'0" (115hp vs 40hp), I would be doubtful I could get on plane with 2 people. Even normal cursing, if you could get there, would have to be at super high RPMs.

[mshugg]

I agree that 90 - 115 is perfect for that hull.  But I’m really posting because it’s the first time I’ve seen photos of the convenience package.  That would be an awesome layout for an onshore boat, almost makes me think about another rebuild.

[RickK]

The 170 is pretty sensitive to excess weight on the aft.  A light 2-stroke in the 75-115hp range is perfect for that hull.