Is 120hp too small for 21ft center console

gotomgo · #1 07-10-2019, 09:05 AM

I swore I would not hang a force motor on the back of my boat.but money's tight and I'm I'm desperate need to get back on the water .I bought 2 motors off craigslist.one ended up being a 20" shaft couldn't use it and the other had cracked crank case I was able to partial refunds for both motors but after delivery fees and gas and suck I'm already out about $$600 in wasted money etc...,there's a local reputable used outboard guy near me. He has a 98 force 120 25" shaft. I'm really thinking about buying it.i had a 150 blackmax .boat screamed jumped on plane and hauled assess. Repowered with a 175 blackmax...only lasted a few mins but seemed powerful.my boats a 78 steplift center console. I mainly have 3 kids and the wife on it. So we mostly go slow or cruise as my oldest daughter is the only fan of speed. We go crabbing I. The river and bottom fishing in the bay.
I'm not worried about top speed. Do you think with hydrofoils and a good prop this motor will work on my boat?

SkunkBoat · #2 07-10-2019, 03:27 PM

yes

Striper80 · #3 07-10-2019, 07:33 PM

I had a Force 125 on my V18 and it was a dog. The smallest I would go would be a 130 Yamaha or Evinrude/Johnson 2 stroke. My uncle had a Yamaha on his V2@ and it was more than adequate.

Destroyer · #4 07-10-2019, 11:02 PM

Anything larger than 80HP WILL get your boat up on plane, so yes, like Skunkboat said, it will push your boat. NO, it will not push it fast, but it will get you on plane. My guess will be in the low 30's, depending on load, wind, current, tide and prop.

Would I put a 120 on my boat? NO, not for a second. (Well, that's not quite true... if you look at my signature you'll see that I have a 120 Force on my Wellcraft Airslot. It's a good engine, but remember that my Airslot is only 16.5 foot long). Would I hang one on my V21? No, I would consider it way too underpowered. For me, the least I would use is a 150HP. (With the exception of the Suzuki 140 that thinks it's a 150)

Pic is of the 120 Force pushing my Airslot.

gotomgo · #5 07-11-2019, 07:48 AM

I ended up getting a deal on 2 Merc 125s ones a 98 saltwater and ones a 2000 offshore. They both work but price was rightook the offshore apart last night and hope to be fishing by Sunday. Also what's the difference?the offshore and saltwater look identical

SkunkBoat · #6 07-11-2019, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Anything larger than 80HP WILL get your boat up on plane, so yes, like Skunkboat said, it will push your boat. NO, it will not push it fast, but it will get you on plane.

I answered YES to the question "Is it too small...?"

Anybody that wanted to put holes in a motor to make it louder is not going to be happy with a 125.

gotomgo · #7 07-12-2019, 01:34 AM

Your right. Fired it up tonight.....sounds like a Honda Civic. Not the bada$$ black max sound. Oh well kids are dieing to go crabbing. I'm sure in gonna need a different prop any suggestions or should I post a new thread?

Destroyer · #8 07-12-2019, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

I answered YES to the question "Is it too small...?"

Anybody that wanted to put holes in a motor to make it louder is not going to be happy with a 125.

Hmmm....?? He asked "Do you think with hydrofoils and a good prop this motor will work on my boat?" He was talking about getting the 120 Force. I thought that's what you were answering "yes" to Skunk.

SkunkBoat · #9 07-12-2019, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Destroyer

Hmmm....?? He asked "Do you think with hydrofoils and a good prop this motor will work on my boat?" He was talking about getting the 120 Force. I thought that's what you were answering "yes" to Skunk.

I was looking at the title of the post. Guess thats what I get for keeping it brief...;)

Destroyer · #10 07-13-2019, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkunkBoat

I was looking at the title of the post. Guess thats what I get for keeping it brief...;)

LOL either way, I think we're both in agreement that a 120 is just not going to cut it long term for a V21. Yes, it will get you up on plane. But the extra cost in gas and wear and tear on the engine to always be running at full bore is going to seriously shorten the life of the engine. (IMHO)