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60 to 75 upgrade worth it? #12392437 08/19/17 04:08 PM
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B1TX Offline OP
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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
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Last edited by T Bird; 08/19/17 05:51 PM.

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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12392502 08/19/17 05:51 PM
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Pat Goff Online Content
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It'll be maybe a 3 mph gain.


Pat Goff
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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12392646 08/19/17 09:06 PM
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B1TX Offline OP
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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
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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
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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12393103 08/20/17 02:32 AM
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B1TX Offline OP
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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
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Bob Landry Offline
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Originally Posted By: Pat Goff
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.


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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12393880 08/21/17 12:14 AM
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"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.


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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12394774 08/21/17 04:58 PM
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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.


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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12395403 08/22/17 12:15 AM
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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
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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
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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. grin

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
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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
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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.


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Re: 60 to 75 upgrade worth it? [Re: B1TX] #12419695 09/09/17 01:27 AM
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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 smile

https://youtu.be/0ZG5z78ORnM

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