Thread: Outboard HP Advise

Been looking around for a senator in the 450-500 size and there's one on TM for a good price.

Its a RC500 which looks in reasonable nick, only downside is its got a 60hp two stroke on it. My old man's got a RC450 with a four stroke suzuki 60hp on it and it gets along really well.

Would the 60hp two stroke be a bit under powered? Recommended minimum is 70hp on the senator website.

Its got a four blade prop and permatrim which makes me think he's trying to accommodate the smaller engine.

Any thoughts?

Got a 4.85 M surtees with a 4stroke 60hp, and it's perfectly fine. It has a permatrim on it, purely to allow for plaining at lower speeds. If I were to do it again, a 70hp would be ideal for when it gets 4 large lads on board.
Gut feeling for a larger boat than my Surtees, is that the 60 would only be suitable in favorable conditions with a light load.

A lot depends on the weight you want to haul. Two people at 60 kg verses two at 100 kg will require different amounts.
Better to be "over gunned" though.

Don't know about the weight of the boat, but I've got a 60HP 2 stroke and it pushes my 5.2m McClay along pretty well

Originally Posted by kickinwings

Been looking around for a senator in the 450-500 size and there's one on TM for a good price.

Its a RC500 which looks in reasonable nick, only downside is its got a 60hp two stroke on it. My old man's got a RC450 with a four stroke suzuki 60hp on it and it gets along really well.

Would the 60hp two stroke be a bit under powered? Recommended minimum is 70hp on the senator website.

Its got a four blade prop and permatrim which makes me think he's trying to accommodate the smaller engine.

Any thoughts?

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Hey mate I've got a Rc480 just put a new suzuki 90 on the factory merc 60 wasn't doing it for the water sports
The new motor has made a huge difference to her get up and go
The rc500 might want a bit more, great boat the rc range

Originally Posted by quentin

Got a 4.85 M surtees with a 4stroke 60hp, and it's perfectly fine. It has a permatrim on it, purely to allow for plaining at lower speeds. If I were to do it again, a 70hp would be ideal for when it gets 4 large lads on board.
Gut feeling for a larger boat than my Surtees, is that the 60 would only be suitable in favorable conditions with a light load.

I think that's my gut feeling too, better to be over gunned is also my opinion. Especially with kids, family etc on board. Shame as it pretty much exactly what I'm after.

Could try and sell the 60hp and repower but would probably come out about $10k more than I really want to spend.

Originally Posted by BRADS

Hey mate I've got a Rc480 just put a new suzuki 90 on the factory merc 60 wasn't doing it for the water sports
The new motor has made a huge difference to her get up and go
The rc500 might want a bit more, great boots the rc modles

Yeah they're awesome boats, I've been borrowing the old mans 450 and been really surprised. Been on plenty of other ali pontoon boats and the senator has a noticeably nicer ride in the rough plus a bit more room for boat length and better thought out storage etc. The 450 has a walk through at the front which comes in handy.

I was actually looking at 540 Fryans for their bang for buck but like the stability at rest of the senator.

You never regret having plenty of power on a boat (assuming it’s within specs)
However under powered boats always make you wish you had more.