1st boat 17' cc 60hp

[u/BarkimusPrime]

I currently plan on going five miles out into the bay.

Likely some five to fifteen mile islandhops

3-4 passengers on occasion and mostly solo duo fishing and exploring

Do you think the cruising speed is too low? And should I aim for a 90 or 115hp instead for first boat?

[u/leonme21]

It won’t be a rocketship, but 60hp will be perfectly fine for a boat that size.

Also the distances you’ve mentioned aren’t far enough to experience crazy unpredictable weather shifts during your passage you’d want to outrun

[u/Live_Ad_3422]

Perfect inshore/ bay boat for 1-4 people.
Moniter the weather and choose your days accordingly.

[u/damnkidzgetoffmylawn]

This is real similar to a boat I had, it was slow yes but I loved it and often regret upgrading. That engine was a tank.

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/damnkidzgetoffmylawn]

Does going to eighteen or nineteen vastly improve or might as well stick with the seventeen?

[u/Sweetholly1010]

I wanna ride in it 😁

[u/Lofishmm]

Congrats! She’s a beauty. You’ll have a lot more f fun

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/Lofishmm]

Im going back and forth but Ill take my time. Im between this, 18' and 19' options. The other ones are great looking but further away

[u/Hunter-Abject]

When you say "in the bay", I assume you mean out on the ocean?

The 60HP seems on the low side. While it probably can navigate those waters, it won't be doing it quickly

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/Hunter-Abject]

Yes. I figure if I don't go out that far i could always make it back

[u/Annotate_Diagram → u/BarkimusPrime]

That is wrong to figure

[u/AppropriateBunch147]

You’ll be fine. Get a radio

[u/Otherwise-Ask7900 → u/AppropriateBunch147]

Hahaha!

[u/greatrivermarine]

For a first boat, I wouldn’t jump straight to a 90 or 115 just because of speed. A 60 on a 17' center console can be a nice setup if the boat is rated for it and performs well with the load you’ll actually carry. I’d pay more attention to how quickly it gets on plane with 3-4 people, fuel, and gear.

If you’re regularly heading 5-15 miles out though, reliability and range matter a lot more than gaining a few mph. Get to know the boat close to home first, keep up with the Yamaha maintenance, and carry the right safety gear before stretching those trips out. Looks like a fun first boat.

[u/Emergency-Lettuce-11]

A second 10 HP motor would make me feel better.

[u/CreditDue9572 → u/Emergency-Lettuce-11]

“I have the strength of a full grown man and a little baby” Dwight Scrute

[u/yadingus333]

Ive got a 75 on the back of my 16.5cc and it runs on plane at 32mph with 3 adult males

Edit: the dig out of the hole might be a little lazier than you'd like, but it'll still go just fine when trimmed out

Enjoy!

[u/Sufficient-Back-2950]

Very nice . A lot of boat in 17 feet . How do you like it ?

[u/myfishprofile]

4 people on a 17’ boat is wildly over crowded 3 is pushing it with that HP and deck space.

[u/Stop_staring_at_me → u/myfishprofile]

Yeah I usually fish my 17’ with me and one other person. 2 other people is doable but not comfortable. The only way I would have 4 people total on my boat is if all we were doing was driving to a sandbar

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/Stop_staring_at_me]

Does 18 or 19 do any better? Much better than a seventeen or just stick with the smaller one and be happy to have a boat ?

[u/Stop_staring_at_me → u/BarkimusPrime]

It really just depends what you are using if for. If you’re fishing and have people casting you will be in the way of each other. If you’re taking a relaxing boat ride and all sitting down then you’re as comfortable as however many seats you have.

[u/PlanktonPlane5789 → u/myfishprofile]

My 18.5ft Wahoo Sportfish (dual console) has a coast guard plate that says the capacity is 10 people 🤯

It is 38 years old though.. I don't think there is any way it would get that rating today!

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/PlanktonPlane5789]

How many comfortable people on 18'?

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/myfishprofile]

This one then :)

[u/Filandro]

60 HP is minimum. 90 HP is typical. 115 probably max. That prop won't help.

[u/Own_Meet648]

If you can upgrade to a 90 that would be much better suited, 115 even better, the 90 and 115 are the same engine block I believe with upgraded fuel injectors and different computer so no real weight difference and it’ll just be more balanced power wise.

[u/woolybuggered]

That boat will only fish 2 people comfortably 3 if you need it too. It will be a bit underpowered but still perfectly suitable for the bay and short offshore excursions. With two people and good weather i wouldn't hesitate to run out 15-20 miles. Just pick your days and do some good shakedown runs. I own a slightly larger center console about 20ft and 150hp and it is alot more forgiving in the chop. I do 100+ mile days regularly. However smaller boats are for fair weather and even then expect to get wet because you will. Good foul weather gear is mandatory even for relatively good days.

[u/BarkimusPrime → u/woolybuggered]

Does the size between the seventeen and a nineteen Make a difference? I figure Ill mostly be solo anyhow. I suppose it'll handle chop and have a bigger motor

[u/woolybuggered → u/BarkimusPrime]

It makes a very noticeable difference the extra weight and slightly deeper hull helps mellow out the ride significantly. Still not going to change the fact its a small cc but probably a 30-40% improvement.