Forums59
Topics1,037,853
Posts13,935,641
Members144,150
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
#12392437
08/19/17 04:08 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35
B1TX
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35 |
Hey All,
As you might surmise from my previous posts I have been actively searching for a new boat, torn between a traditional bass or a center console. For all my searching I disregarded the fact that I currently have a paid-off 2012 Crestliner VT-17 with a 60 Merc EFI. This boat fishes great with its 24v trolling system, two fish finders, a power-pole micro and will cruise around 41 mph with myself and a full tank of gas. When I load it up with three adults, I'll get a decent 33-35 indicated about 200 rpm below the max throttle window. So.......is the upgrade to the 75 worth it? For those that aren't familiar with the VT-17 it is similar in size to a Tracker 175, but its all-aluminum structure brings the hull weight to a mere 1100 pounds, allowing the boat to reach speeds that most in its class would find unattainable. With a gross weight nearly 100 pounds more than the 60, would a 75 Merc make this a 50 mph boat or would the weight offset the increase in horsepower? If I trade in my current 60 EFI I'm looking at about $4000 in out-of-pocket expenses, but this seems small compared to 30k on a new boat! I think it's important to mention that after I add all my desired accessories to these new boats buying new just seems more unappealing. Any thoughts?
Last edited by B1TX; 08/19/17 04:22 PM.
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12392499
08/19/17 05:43 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 25,659
T Bird
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 25,659 |
Last edited by T Bird; 08/19/17 05:51 PM.
Okie by birth, Texan by choice. USAF "Thunderbirds" Alumni 1985-1989
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12392502
08/19/17 05:51 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640 |
It'll be maybe a 3 mph gain.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12392646
08/19/17 09:06 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35
B1TX
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35 |
Thanks guys. I'm not confident that I can trust those numbers though. It says my boat tops at 31 in its current configuration, when I GPS and indicate 40+ all the time.....
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12392731
08/19/17 10:20 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640 |
Giving the benefit of the doubt ten hp usually equals a mph. Giving you a few more for percentage change but even then it won't be more than four.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12393103
08/20/17 02:32 AM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35
B1TX
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35 |
Good point. Well, do you have any suggestions on a good boat that will fit my needs without breaking the bank? Some people I've spoken with say get a 200+ hp boat that's a good size to handle choppy water, but the fuel burn, insurance, storage and price of the 60hp can't be beat. This is a never ending circle I can't get out of!!
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: Pat Goff]
#12393354
08/20/17 12:20 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957 |
It'll be maybe a 3 mph gain. That's what my dealer told me about upgrading from a 90 to a 115 when I bought my Seaark. Hardly worth is considering the cost difference, but to some people speed is all that matters.
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90 Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic 2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
Bitter Gun Owner Bitter Clinger Armed Infidel
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12393880
08/21/17 12:14 AM
|
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640 |
"Just a little more" Is a deep, bottomless hole. The only cure is when you wake up one day and don't care any more.
I have been down in the uncharted depths, it's not pretty.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12394774
08/21/17 04:58 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,476
T-racer @ Mallard Marine
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,476 |
Yeah I'm gonna say if your 60 runs great, then keep it. 40 mph is fast enough for most. The 75 won't make you drop your jaw it'll be so different. If you really want a bigger boat but don't wanna break the bank, there are plenty of clean boats in the 10-20 year old range instead of buying new. Maintenance is everything, find one well maintained and score on a 20+ footer with 200+ horsepower and still don't break the bank to the tune of 30, 40, 50 thousand dollars or more.
Mallard Marine Nacogdoches, Tx 936-225-3244 - Authorized Sales/Service Mercury Outboards - Allison Boats
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12395403
08/22/17 12:15 AM
|
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665
Muzzlebrake
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665 |
If you have a 60hp that runs 40+ on a 17ft 1000 lb hull you better keep it.
From Genesis: "And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the earth."
Then He made the earth round...and He laughed and laughed and laughed!
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12402743
08/27/17 02:26 AM
|
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 36
Fisherman110
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 36 |
75 hp runs about 40 mph on a loaded down 17 foot boat. It might get up to 45 if the boat didn't have anything in it
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12402780
08/27/17 02:54 AM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35
B1TX
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35 |
Yea you guys are definitely correct, not worth the upgrade. Loaded with two adults and a full gas tank I'm cruising about 36-37 ish (although I'll hit 40+ in the right conditions, see the next post). I've decided to list my boat for sale as an excuse to upgrade, but I plan to install dual power-pole sportsmans and keep fishing out of her as if she's not for sale. In fact, after taking the boat out this afternoon I'm tempted to pull my add because it fulfills all my needs, just not the "want" for super high speed.
Last edited by B1TX; 08/27/17 06:12 PM.
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12403476
08/27/17 06:08 PM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35
B1TX
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35 |
Well my boat was running really nice today, indicating around 41-42 and GPS at 40 with two adults, gas and gear. Can't be disappointed in that kind of performance! Here's a video: https://youtu.be/EhWYNxV8Lfc
Last edited by B1TX; 08/27/17 06:09 PM.
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12403535
08/27/17 06:49 PM
|
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,176
SteezMacQueen
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 23,176 |
That's pretty good speeds! I had a 16ft Nitro with a 75 Mercury and with two batteries, empty livewells, and NO FISHING GEAR on board, it would just touch 37mph GPS trimmed out as much as possible. The speedo said 42-43....but those are the most optimistic gauges on the planet.
Eat. Sleep. Fish.
|
|
Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it?
[Re: B1TX]
#12419695
09/09/17 01:27 AM
|
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35
B1TX
OP
Outdoorsman
|
OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 35 |
Well I decided to add a set of power-poles and the boat still runs great! Didn't really see much of a performance hit. Gotta love that 60 https://youtu.be/0ZG5z78ORnM
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|