repowering a 1989 17.5 osprey

[stepcole]

I currently have the original 70 hp Evinrude and am looking at a great deal on a 2006 50 hp four stroke Honda. I have been pleased with the performance with the 70, do you think a 50 would be enough power on the 17.5

[dburr]

Short unqualified answer, no.. What do you want to do with the boat? If you want to ski, a 50 will not be enough to pull someone up without a minor drowning.. Tubing, it will be a dog getting up on the step and staying there in a turn with 100+ pound kid..
For a quiet slow evening sail, it would be satisfactory..  More info on how you want to use the boat will help with power advice..

I had a 50 on a sport 15 whaler and had all the above problems as well as power loss (would skip like a 3 legged dog) under heavy load (600lbs).  Happiest day was when I hung a 70, and now that boat shoots.. Still has issues with a 200 lb slalom ski on hole shot, minor drowning but if you know how to, you can fight your way out..

[stepcole]

Thanks Dave!! Thats what I was afraid. I always wanted to go to a 90 but the price for the 50 blurred my common sense. I do a lot of fishing and occasional weekend tubing with the kids.
Steve

[floridamisser52]

I have a 175 with a 90 evinrude. Its does a good job. I think you'd be disappointed with any thing less.

[GoneFission]

Thanks Dave!! Thats what I was afraid. I always wanted to go to a 90 but the price for the 50 blurred my common sense. I do a lot of fishing and occasional weekend tubing with the kids.
Steve

How about a PAIR of 50s?!!   :twisted:

[Mikerodrig27]

I have a 1998 175 with a 1997 90hp Johnson Oceanrunner and I am completely happy with it. On flat days I wish that I had a 115hp just for the thrill of it but the boat does anything I can ask of it with the 90. she tops out at around 39mph and she used to top out at around 44mph-45mph when the boat and motor were new. My opinion is that the 70 is a little weak for that hull. might be alright for someone else. It just seems like you'll have to run it hard just to get any kind of speed out of it. I don't know what that does on reliability.

[CTsalt12]

I have a 1989 175 as well, I'd love to see some pictures.  But anyway, I have a 1997 115 Merc and it runs like a bat out of hell.  WOT about 36-37 mph just me on the boat.  It planes really nice, when you are going at 4000 rpm's you don't get wet because you're just cruising over everything.