BROADBILL OWNERS -I NEED YOUR OPINIONS

D

dward

Active member
GENTLEMEN,
I'M SHOPPING MOTORS TO REPOWER MY SUMMER PROJECT, A 14' AA BROADBILL-RATED FOR A 25HP[2 STROKE].
I'D LIKE TO BOLT A 25 FOUR STROKE TO THE BACK BUT AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE WIEGHT.2 STROKES COME IN AT 115LBS VS 150LBS FOR MOST FOUR STROKES.
DO YOU THINK THIS HULL WILL HANDLE THE EXTRA WEIGHT SAFELY?
ANOTHER OPTION IS A 20HP FOUR STROKE[SAME WEIGHT AS A 2 STROKE],I AM CONCERNED ABOUT LACK OF POWER WHEN FULLY LOADED WITH THIS MOTOR.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
ALL INPUT APPRECIATED.
DAVE.
 
Dave,

I have this same boat. See http://duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_threaded;post=22371;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;
When I got the boat it came with an 18hp 4-stroke Tohatsu which I thought was way to heavy for the boat. The boat flew but it tended to skip out in turns. I have since put a 15hp short shaft 2 stroke and it moves it well. I think if a guy could find a 20 hp 2 stroke in the same weight range it would be ideal.

I hope this helps...your mileage may vary.

My best,

Don
 
I have a Broadbill, but I'm pretty sure it's a little different than yours. It's the Clark Craft kit, that's glass over wood. If I'm correct, I think your boat is all glass, similar to the blackjack and the widgeon. My particular boat is only rated for a 20 hp. A dealer up the road found a brand new 09 scratch and dent 20 hp Honda for me. At 101lbs, it's the lightest out there by about 15 lbs.

I've broken the motor in and I couldn't be more pleased with it. With 2 guys, 2 dogs, substantial beer weight and whatever elese finds it's way into a duck boat, my boat tops out at 27 mph at slack tide.

I wouldn't worry much about a 20 vs. a 25. I personally was more concerned with weight. You need to make sure you can back the thing up with a chop. You're asking a really good question that's hard to answer. I wish my boat was the exact same as yours so I could give you a more valid opinion. Personally, on my boat, I don't feel it could handle the extra weight. The stern would be too low in the water to back up safely. It already dips a little low unless I have someone sitting up front. A lot of these 4 stokes are 30+lbs heavier than their 2 stroke counter parts, it makes a difference on these little guys. Good luck.

View attachment Duckboatmotorpaint015resize.jpg
 
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I really don't know about YOUR boat, but I have never been a fan of the 4 strokers. They are too heavy and have slow slow accereration compared to the 2 stroke engines.. If it were me buying it, I would get the 2 stroke. You will notice the difference when your boat is loaded.

Dave
 
Dward, I have the same boat also, Love it! Mine has a ss 15hp 2 stroke merc. and goes 22mph (gps) with wife and dog in boat or about the same w/dog and duck gear. But I'll tell ya, it 'll nock your fillings out on rough water @ local lake at wot. The ocean is much better with streched out swells @ wot. So,I guess my opinion would be 15-20hp 2 stroke would be plenty. I don't see a real need for more than 20hp. Actually, I have no desire to buy a bigger motor.
On a side note watcha doing to yours? I've redone seating and wiring in mine the past couple weeks and getting ready to make a spray shield and repaint.
Gene R.
 
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE REPLIES.
THIS INFO IS HELPING MY DECISION.
I HAVE DECIDED NOT GO W/ ANYTHING HEAVIER THAN THE 25 2 STROKE THAT THE BOAT WAS ORIGINALLY RATED FOR AND I WILL PROBABLY SETTLE ON A 20HP NISSAN 4 STROKE AT 115LBS AND QUIET.
IF I HAVE ANY TROUBLE W/ THE BOAT SKIPPING/SLIDING IN THE TURNS I'LL ADD A FIN TO THE LOWER UNIT OR SIMPLY THROTTLE DOWN.IF I FEEL THERE IS A DANGER OF FILLING THE BOAT W/WATER WHEN BACKING IN CHOPPY SEAS I'LL BUILD AND INSTALL SOME PODS,THEY WORK GREAT ON LOW TRANSOM BOATS AND REALLY IMPROVE HANDLING.
A LIITLE MORE GLASS WORK AND PAINT AND I'LL BE READY FOR THE MOTOR.
 
Dave,

Throttle down? That is a concept I am unfamiliar with and I have several scars to prove it. :) Best of luck with the boat and motor. Let us know how it works otu for you.

My best,

Don
 
Man, kill the all caps. It is considered shouting under "web etiquette" and hard as heck to read.

Good luck with your rig. If you can find a 2 stroke nissan 18, it would make your boat run pretty well and they only weigh ~87 pounds.
 
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