Hello, just want to say that I’m extremely happy
with my choice of engine . I bought a 2018 tohatsu 30hp
long shaft outboard . I put it on a 2017 tracker topper
1542. This boat has a short transom so I used a budget mini
jacker to raise the engine up since it’s a longshaft. I also want
to get another welded boat in the future with a 21 inch transom.
The motor is full manual . I paid 3800 plus tax and license which
was only 400 bucks more then the full manual short shaft 25hp so
I just had to get the 30hp. The motor was still 1 inch below the keel
so still not at optimum height . Anyway I broke it in the hard way .
I’ve had good luck breaking engines in hard . They tend to run better
and make more horsepower later on down the road . So I went to castaic lake
3 days ago . My boat weighs about 230 because of wood flooring . Prop was
13 inch pitch. 3 guys , ice chest , anchor, fishing equipment , etc.
3 guys totaling 670lbs. I hit 33mph with a full load with the rpms at 5700.
It was obvious It was too much prop for that weight . Then I dropped off a 220lb
guy and the boat hit 35mph . With 2 people Rpms jumped up to almost
6000rpm. Then I went solo and I had to move the ice chest and gas tank
up because the boat went straight up in the air when I would smash the throttle.
I even had to trim the engine all the way up which basically throws the front forward .
I finally got it plane and I hit 38mph but the front was plowing . The boat was scary at that
speed . I had to slow down in the waves because I almost lost control. Rpms jumped to
6200 which is right below the 6250 rev limit which makes it perfect with one person.
Too much engine for this boat . I ordered a solas 11 pitch and 12 pitch amita 3 props
from a retailer called “ Jet” . 60 bucks a piece . It should go faster with a load and have
a way better holeshot. I know the 25hp is a popular option so if any of you guys do that I
would order it with a 10 or 11 pitch prop. Hopes this helps you guys . I will post other
results when I raise the engine up a little more and with the other props.
with my choice of engine . I bought a 2018 tohatsu 30hp
long shaft outboard . I put it on a 2017 tracker topper
1542. This boat has a short transom so I used a budget mini
jacker to raise the engine up since it’s a longshaft. I also want
to get another welded boat in the future with a 21 inch transom.
The motor is full manual . I paid 3800 plus tax and license which
was only 400 bucks more then the full manual short shaft 25hp so
I just had to get the 30hp. The motor was still 1 inch below the keel
so still not at optimum height . Anyway I broke it in the hard way .
I’ve had good luck breaking engines in hard . They tend to run better
and make more horsepower later on down the road . So I went to castaic lake
3 days ago . My boat weighs about 230 because of wood flooring . Prop was
13 inch pitch. 3 guys , ice chest , anchor, fishing equipment , etc.
3 guys totaling 670lbs. I hit 33mph with a full load with the rpms at 5700.
It was obvious It was too much prop for that weight . Then I dropped off a 220lb
guy and the boat hit 35mph . With 2 people Rpms jumped up to almost
6000rpm. Then I went solo and I had to move the ice chest and gas tank
up because the boat went straight up in the air when I would smash the throttle.
I even had to trim the engine all the way up which basically throws the front forward .
I finally got it plane and I hit 38mph but the front was plowing . The boat was scary at that
speed . I had to slow down in the waves because I almost lost control. Rpms jumped to
6200 which is right below the 6250 rev limit which makes it perfect with one person.
Too much engine for this boat . I ordered a solas 11 pitch and 12 pitch amita 3 props
from a retailer called “ Jet” . 60 bucks a piece . It should go faster with a load and have
a way better holeshot. I know the 25hp is a popular option so if any of you guys do that I
would order it with a 10 or 11 pitch prop. Hopes this helps you guys . I will post other
results when I raise the engine up a little more and with the other props.