Spectrum18

I recently picked up decent but weathered Bluefin 16 I intend to restore. I've had a Bluefin 1900, a later model Spectrum 18, which I stupidly sold, and a Weldcraft 18' Sportjet I got rid of when I retired. The 16 was too good a deal to pass-up and came with an 8hp four-stroke Yamaha kicker and an older Johnson 70hp two-stroke main motor. I would like to go with a single main motor suitable for getting me "from here to there" as well as for trolling. I am leaning towards a 25hp four stroke, but my local dealer recommends 40hp minimum and keep the kicker. I am 76 and would rather not have to deal with the kicker and stumbling around in the boat. Do you think a 25hp four-stroke would push the light weight Bluefin 20-25mph and work OK for trolling? Thanks.

(I may have to change my moniker to Bluefin 16, lol.)

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

I do NOT Spectrum. I have a 14' Lowe that's rated for 25hp, and have a 25Merc 2stroke on it. I just hit 25-26mph in perfect conditions. If the Bluefin was rated to handle a 70hp or bigger , it's obviously built up much more than my little boat, and therefore much heavier. Most similar 16 footers come with a 40hp base motor, and people complain that they are underpowered, and then move up to the optional 60 or 75hp. Frankly I'm not sure a 25hp will get the boat on plane.

MoJoe Loc: Springfield, MO

I have a 16' Tracker Super Guide, single console(=light). 25 hp definitely underpowers, but I'm 74 and in no big hurry. Just installed Trick Steps. Fantastic!

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

I think you would be happier with a 40HP but if you can't afford that one you could probly get by with a 25. You won't be able to go as fast and might have trouble getting on plane though. JMO.

Spectrum18

Thanks for all your opinions. I had a 15 foot Christ Craft wooden boat many years ago that was powered by an 18hp Evinrude 2-stroke that would easily plane the boat and, in fact, we water skied with it, including slalom skiing, but it was under powered for that...and I weighed 147 pounds in those days, not close to 200. I have found little information on the 1606 Blue Fin (Spectrum) Superhawk, which is what I have, and it is only more confusing. NADA says 50hp, but I think that is because the standard power for the boat was a 50hp Force motor - my Bluefin Sportsman 1900 came with an 85 Force but was rated for up to 125, which I installed and gained nothing but a bigger gas bill and two mph. I have also found information, although nothing formal like a spec sheet, that says 90hp for the Sportsman model 1700 but, of course, that is not the same boat as the 1606 Superhawk. Oh well, so it goes, eh. My objective is/was to eliminate the need for a kicker so that I needn't stumble around the boat trying to operate the kicker while fighting a fish, and fall overboard - I'm 76 with a bad hip and, on occasions, a bit of vertigo, AND I usually fish by myself so those things are considerations. It would be nice to find someone who has the same or near same boat powered by a 25HP 4-stroke for an apples to apples comparison. Anyway, thanks again for your suggestions and opinions.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Hey Spec. Why would you NEED a kicker motor except for a backup motor if your main motor failed?
I have a 60hp 4stroke Merc that I use on my Bass Tracker. It pushes it bout 34 mph at WOT. Plus it trolls below 2 mph with the throttle at an idle.
A 40hp would troll as slow as you need/wanted to go, and would give you the added HP to get off the lake sooner if bad weather was comin in. Just askin, that's all.

Spectrum18

As I said, I couldn't pass up the deal, which included a Yamaha 8hp high thrust kicker. Boat, trailer, 70hp 2-stroke and the kicker plus some other stuff for a couple hundred bucks. Yeah, I had to reseal the 70's lower unit and put in a new pump rotor (the 70 runs fine and the lower unit is good shape despite using a water-oil mix for lubricant), and the boat is in need of new floors and carpet, but I like the Spectrum hull so it was worth it to me. Thanks for your perspective and experience with trolling a 60hp 4-stroke. My concern was that trolling with a motor larger than a 25 might not be good for the motor or trolling speed but, from your information and experience, it looks like it is a worry I needn't have had. Based on your information, I will probably get a 40hp. Thanks.

saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor

Well if you get the 70hp motor runnin right you might be able to get by with that one and not have to buy another motor. Good luck. Let us know how things go for ya.

Spectrum18

Me, too! I turn 76 in February, and I rarely get in a hurry. When you say "underpowered" what exactly do you mean? Will it plane? What speed does it make? I usually fish by myself or with one other person, the boat is pretty light and I don't have any reason to load it down with a bunch of stuff. Also, another fellow said he trolls with a 60hp 4-stroke as slow as 2mph so I may go with a bigger engine - I really just want to get rid of the older (no oil injection) 2-stroke noisemaking gas hog and be able to use the "main" motor to troll. 40hp or so is looking like the way to go. Thanks for your input.

Spectrum18

From the information I have been able to garner on the Internet, the 1606 Bluefin Superhawk (my boat model) came standard with a 50hp Force 2-stroke. I could not find a maximum horsepower rating but suspect it is in the 70 to 85hp range. Considering the responses I have received from you and others, I am going to go with a 40 or 50hp motor. Thanks for your input.

Spectrum18

Me, too! I turn 76 in February, and I rarely get in a hurry. When you say "underpowered" what exactly do you mean? Will it plane? What speed does it make? I usually fish by myself or with one other person, the boat is pretty light and I don't have any reason to load it down with a bunch of stuff. Also, another fellow said he trolls with a 60hp 4-stroke as slow as 2mph so I may go with a bigger engine - I really just want to get rid of the older (no oil injection) 2-stroke noisemaking gas hog and be able to use the "main" motor to troll. 40hp or so is looking like the way to go. Thanks for your input.
Spectrum18

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Spectrum, there should be a plate inside your transom with the maximum horsepower rating, and weight capacity of your boat.
Also,here's a tip. If you hit "Quote Reply "under the post you're responding to it will show the post in your reply, like above this post. It makes it easier to follow the conversation.

Spectrum18

Thanks.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.