Do I need a bigger engine?

[ccrogue14]

A few months ago I purchased a Cruise Craft Rogue 14 (hull only). I already had a '78 Evinrude 35HP with controls and ignition module.

I installed the Evinrude 35HP onto the Cruise Craft and it works fine.

However I find that most of the time the motor is running at 100% (the throttle is open at max), in order to cut through chop and travel at 15-20 knots. Sometimes it runs at full throttle for 20-30 minutes while I get to my fishing spot.

Besides the fact that this is using a lot of fuel, is it normal to run these engines at max limit for so long all the time?
Is this engine perhaps too small for my boat? If yes, what rating do I need?

[Lovey80]

Do you know what sort of revs you are getting at Wide Open Throttle (WOT)? What level is the cav plate in relation to the hull/keel of the boat? Any chance you could trim the engine parallel to the transom and get a side on shot of the cav plate with maybe a ruler protruding out from the keel to get an accurate idea of the motor height>?

[LittleSkipper]

There should be an identification plate of some kind somewhere on or near the transom maybe even inside the boat that will tell you what max HP the transom can take. 35hp for that size of hull does seem a tad under rated.


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[scottar]

I am going to say yes that motor is too small. To be honest I'm surprised it gets to 15-20 knots. I would be thinking 50-60 Hp on that boat. Given their age, the Rogues would be a fairly heavy build in my opinion. Best bet would be give Nichols Bros/Cruisecraft a ring and ask their recommendation.

[Seahorse]

I would have thought so. I am going to buy a quintrex 4.2 renagade and have decided to go the 50 hp yammy 4 stroke

[myusernam]

yes. the 35 is really only a 30hp (old days rated them differently)
that boat normally as 50hp or above. do a search on boatpoint for that boat and you will get an idea.
Also be aware if it has never had the transom or floor replaced it may be that you put a bigger motor on and disvoer you have issues with that as well. seeing as though it seems you are on a budget, a 50hp tohatsu 2 stroke would do it.. very powerfull for size and still relatively cheap, even new

[Dignity]

I agree -too small, I had the Rustler and as scottar says those old boats are built solid and show the weight to boot. I used a 1985 65 hp suzi on the rustler which was about right but you might get away with something smaller in these newer motors.

[Blusta]

50 or 60 would be my pick.