(05-29-2022, 08:02 PM)Troutster Wrote: Thanks for all of the suggestions. I actually agree with both the “go for the max hp” and the “big hp isn’t necessary “ arguments. When the wind and whitecaps came up on Willard with my 16’ Crestliner, all I could do is slowly work my way back to the marina. HP didn’t matter. BUT, on a nice day when a friend on the other side of Willard called and said the wipers are boiling over here, with my 50hp Merc, it would take me 20 minutes to get over there. Frustrating. I’m going to look more closely at some of the suggested brands, a couple of them I haven’t even heard of. On Crestliner boat builder I’m up to 38K with just a 115 4 stroke and I haven’t even looked at fish finders yet. They are practically giving these things away! (NOT). I’m not sure about the battery charger banks and the battery chargers. Any clarity on how important those are? I’ll save the fish finder discussion for another day.
Trust your experience. More HP doesn't increase safety. Also, my old Alumacraft with a 50HP Merc would do 28MPH. So if your buddy is 5 miles away, it would take you 10:43 to get there. In my Hewes I could be there in 8 minutes. At 45MPH it would take 6:40. The price difference between the Mercury 115HP and 150HP is about $3200, to save 1:20. Your choice.
Can't help you with battery chargers. I run a single main, no kicker, no bow position motor. My main stays on all the time, so my battery charges continously.
Single main, no kicker. 