Minimum hp for 170

[beached920]

New to this and looking for some insight.  Going into my fourth year with a 74 170.   Been very satisfied with the boat and work in progress upgrades and refurbishments.   What hasn't worked so well is luck in used engines.  Late 80's 90 Johnson, 1990 88 Mercury, and this season 06 Evinrude 75 Etec.  Now the computer is shot in the etec and probably north of $1500 if I opt to fix it.   I'm tired of getting stuck with someone else's used garbage,  but the bank account wont swallow $7500-$9000 for a new 75-90 hp.   With the season over I'm seeing closeouts on new 60 hp,  just under 6k.  This is something I could probably handle before next season without landing in divorce court.  My principle concern: Is this enough hp to bring it up on plane?   The boat is used for fishing in back bay waters.   My days of wakeboarding and skiing are over.   Thanks for the input.  Jim

[fitz73222]

Before you decide to scrap the etec, check with CDI Electronics and see if they will rebuild the computer for you. They offer that service at a fraction of what a new ECM costs with a warranty.I buy all my replacement electronics from them, great company located in Alabama. As for a 60hp, you would be on the fringe of enough horsepower but consider that back in '74, outboards were rated at the crankshaft instead of the propshaft like today. So a 70 hp cranked out about 60 hp at the propshaft. A 70 was a standard base offering in those days which did a pretty good job with standard loading on a 170. We sold a number of them. Now these were brand new boats with no water weight gain in the foam like most have today, yours may be dry depending on its life. Which 60 hp brand are you looking at? The reason I ask, is that you want the most cubic inches and cylinders you can get for better torque. I believe new etec 60's are 2 cylinder 52 cu in which in my opinion would be a dog on that boat for low end torque. So to a look at Mercury,Yamaha or Suzuki for comparison. Tohatsu also makes very nice engines in that class with an excellent reputation but have limited dealer network. There's my $.02.

[RickK]

Hi Jim,
I don't think you'd be happy with the performance of the 170 with only a 60 on it.  It may get up on plane but I think it would struggle with any load in her.
I too have been through a few motors on my 170 - the last thing I bought was a rebuilt head for the 90/115 before I decided to rebuild the boat.

[beached920]

Guys,  Thank you for the quick response and input.   I have plenty to think over.   Fitz, you struck a chord close to home.  Before moving back to NJ, (Still not sure why) my last address was in C Section, Palm Coast, and I still miss it.   I will talk to the mechanic about your suggestion about CDI.   The engine I have had my eye on has been Mercury's 60HP "Big Foot"   They seem to emphasize it's ability to handle heavier loads.  While the etec was running, I was very satisfied with the performance with top speed of about 30 with just me, and 27 with two adults.  No issues whatsoever going on plane.  Plenty to think about this winter.

[fitz73222]

Guys,  Thank you for the quick response and input.   I have plenty to think over.   Fitz, you struck a chord close to home.  Before moving back to NJ, (Still not sure why) my last address was in C Section, Palm Coast, and I still miss it.   I will talk to the mechanic about your suggestion about CDI.   The engine I have had my eye on has been Mercury's 60HP "Big Foot"   They seem to emphasize it's ability to handle heavier loads.  While the etec was running, I was very satisfied with the performance with top speed of about 30 with just me, and 27 with two adults.  No issues whatsoever going on plane.  Plenty to think about this winter.

Yep, I live down in the S section and love it. I have a 60 Bigfoot on my flats boat and it is a stump puller, but mine is a 2 stroke 3 cylinder and a 700# hull. Yours would be a 4 cylinder 4 stroke. I have not run one of these new engines personally but there are a lot of guides running them on back country boats around here now.

[Stocksail]

i have a '99 johnson 70 2 stroke on my '94 17 and think its the smallest i would go. performace with 2 people and a small amount of gear is good and a 60hp should be fine under ideal conditions but any more people or gear on a 60hp unit and i doubt it would plane without trickery. (keep an eye on your power to weight ratio)

another thing to consider, the weight of my 70hp motor (250lbs) must be lighter than what the boat was built for because it sits slightly high in the stern so when i'm washing it down i need to stand in the back to get all the water to drain... a 60 might create even more of a concern.

good luck with your search. i'd like to upgrade to a newer motor at some point