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| I recently ordered a Tuffy 1700gc. I think it will be a major upgrade for me, as I'm currently fishing out of a '95 Lund Rebel 16 with a 30 hp tiller, and I plan to keep this new boat for a long time.
I've been poking around on this site quite a bit, and I've seen several 1700's with 90hp motors, and also read several people's opinion that it is silly to get a boat with less than maximum h.p. The 1700 will take up to 135 h.p., which I don't think I need, but I'm wondering if I want the 90 optimax I originally specified, or if I want to upgrade to a 115 opti. I'm told that the boat will do about 40 with the 90 on it, and will gain a few mph and low end power with the upgrade. The change would add about $600 to an already tightly stretched budget.
I'd love to hear from 1700 owners, as well as dealers, or anyone else with experience in this boat, or with this dilemma. Should I stick with the 90, or go up to a 115? Thanks. |
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Member
Posts: 1991
| Be sure to put some pics on the site, I do believe Steve W is running the same set up as yours. I would recomend a stainless prop though. |
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Member
Posts: 625
Location: LaCrosse, WI | Boy, if I could get an extra 25hp for $600, I'd find a way to come up with the extra cash. My guess is, you'd never been sorry you did it, but if you don't you may wish down the road you would've.
If you think it may every come up down the road, it will cost thousands to make a switch instead of hundreds. I personally believe in putting as much HP on the boat as you can right away so you don't want more later. |
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| Thanks.
Moreyes: Stainless prop is already specified. Thanks.
Rookie: Thanks for the input, and I get your point. I'd love to hear from some 1700 owners about performance, though. If the boat really will do 40, I think that's fine - I don't need a ton of speed. But I also don't want to feel like it's under-performing. Do I need to be worried about getting bogged down with a full load - gas, livewell, 2 or 3 guys, 3 batteries? Is a 90 opti on that boat plenty to get up and moving under all circumstances? Are you happy with your 90? Do you wish you had gone bigger? Anyone ever have a need to put on a whale tail or trim tabs with that set-up?
Thanks.
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Member
Posts: 273
| A buddy has a 1700 with a 90 opti. Been in the boat a couple times and it sure doesn't seem like it is underpowered (neither one of us has left an all you can eat buffet felling like we didn't get our moneys worth). Not sure about top end, but I know he has pulled skiers behind it. I will try to find out speed if I can. I have always believed that you shoud max out your horsepower. With that being said, I only put a 225 on my 2060 instead of a 250. Have never been disapointed in the performance and have only wished I went with a 250 on 2 occassions, getting passed by Luke & his 2060, and getting passed by brand X - both had 250 Pro XS on the back! |
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Posts: 3899
| You didn't feel bad when I pass you in my 1890, Dan? hehehe
I was always a proponent of maxing HP on a boat. But after owning a Lund Angler SS with a 135 Opti, I can tell you the 115 would have been a better motor for that boat. The Tuffy 1700 is scary fast with a 135 Opti, like that Lund, only more so. I really think for the $600, I'd go with the 115 Opti. over the 90. The boat will jump on plane, even when loaded, and you'll have better throttle response in the rough stuff. I also think it will better better on fuel, because you won't be on the throttle as hard to get the same speed. But then again, you might just end up WOT when ever you can, because it's fun to go fast! And there goes the fuel efficiency!
Edited by Shep 3/15/2010 8:33 AM
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| The consensus among responders here, dealer, family, friends and self seems to be that a 90 would probably be fine. But a 115 would probably be a little better.
As I said, I'm planning to be happy with this boat for a long time, and an extra $600 represents a slightly less than 3% increase in total cost. The last thing I would want is to wish I had a little more, on a long term boat, because I couldn't cough up a few more bucks.
I'm going with the 115. Thanks for the input.
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Member
Posts: 152
Location: Appleton WI | My dad is looking at this boat and was wondering the same thing about the motor. Would you still stay with the 115 if adding a kicker too? Any idea what the top end would be? |
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Posts: 625
Location: LaCrosse, WI | Pete,
I think you made a good call. There are several reasons to go with more HP, most mentioned above. To me the biggest reason is, you can run the bigger motor at less throttle if speed isn't the issue, but you can't run a smaller one beyond it's capabilities if you need it. Also, in case you ever do want to sell, the 115 will help. I hope you enjoy your rig.
Let us know everything about it once you get it, and see what it can do. |
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| Stratos - I've never had one, but I'm pretty sure a kicker is used for low speed trolling, and not in conjunction with the main motor. It would be raised up out of the water whenever the boat is on plane.
Nevertheless, I suppose it might add a little more weight to the back of the boat, and therefore benefit even more so from the additional hp?
StratosBoats - 3/15/2010 1:28 PM
My dad is looking at this boat and was wondering the same thing about the motor. Would you still stay with the 115 if adding a kicker too? Any idea what the top end would be? |
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| Bingo. Thanks for all the help everyone.
GNWC Rookie - 3/15/2010 2:20 PM
you can run the bigger motor at less throttle if speed isn't the issue, but you can't run a smaller one beyond it's capabilities if you need it. |
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Location: Akron Ohio | The Tuffy mfg. crews will be busy with these 1700's, I just ordered mine too. Went with the 115 Opti Max. Tried to get an Evinrude from the dealer but it would have cost me $750 more than the Merc. Moving up from the 15' Walleye Rampage with a 30 Johnson on it so I will need some driving lessons. |
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| Nope, never felt bad when you passed me Shep. Always figured you could use all the help/advantages you could get!  hehehe |
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Location: Appleton WI | Yea I know that the kicker is only used for trolling. I was just wondering about the extra weight added in the back. |
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| thats 2 new 1700's. you guys will love them regardless of your motor choice. I got a 1760 GC last year and love it. we will need pics...
I also did my own rigging so any questions , shoot. |
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Posts: 3899
| Always thinking of others, Dan. That's why I like you so much! hehehe
Good choice on the 115 Opti's. $600 over 10 years is $60 per yr. Worth it, IMO.
As for the Kicker, it's only about 100 pounds, and won't make a difference that you will notice, especially with the 115.
Good luck with your new Tuffys! Post Pics when you get them rigged up! |
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| How much of a kicker. That probably add's $1,500 to $2,000. Can you troll a Optimax down as low as a comparable 4-stroke and would a 90 Optimax troll better then a 115 |
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Member
Posts: 51
| I ran a 1700 GC with a 90 Suzi 4-stroke 3 years ago. Nice top end of 35mph with just me in it, but when you filled the live-well with water, added two other people, associated gear...it was a bit doggy out of the hole. I loved the Suzi (excepting the Canada trip where it totally failed me) from the point of it's vaccuum cleaner like sound (very quiet) and it was easy on gas. Given the opportunity to do it over again, I would have gone with a 115 4-Stroke by Suzi or other manufacturer. I'm in a 1760 w/ a 150 Opti and have become a strong propenent of speed and hole shot, but wouldnt go with an Opti on a 1700 if you plan on doing any trolling. |
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Tuffy 1700 gc HP Question