Hey guys new user here. Just spent a lot of time reading all the related forums  to the question I had but My heads still spinning. Looking to add another boat to the barn for the local 20 hp restricted lakes in nw PA. I have been seeing a lot of tracker 170 and 175s with 40s on them locally and can’t order a new one from Lowe or crestliner like my plan was because of covid so I was gonna buy one and put a 20 on it. Does anyone here have experience with the 170 or 175 with a 20 hp? I’m not looking for a speed demon but pymatuning is a big lake and I’d hate to get stuck out there in the wind with a boat that’s can’t get me off the lake

I’m no boat guy, but won’t a 20hp have more thrust than a trolling motor hanging off the sane boat?  
 

sounds like fun. 

You don't have to worry about not being able to get off the lake.  My 9.9 pushes my 19' deep V 5 mi/hr so a 20 HP on a much lighter boat will be fine.  It takes a while to get to spot to spot but it is better than only using a the trolling motor.  

 

One thing to keep in mind, that boat with a 20 HP will be very hard to sell unless there is a local market for that specific lake.  Here in IL we have a couple excellent lakes with a 25 HP limit and you see lots of guys with 17' boats with 25 HP but they could only sell those boats in that area.  I'd definitely try to find a used boat.  

Yeah there’s a market for them up here in NW pa due to there being quite a few large 20 hp restricted lakes the one is 18000 acres it’s ridiculous. I’m not sure if a 170 or 175 would get somewhat on plane or not because running 3 miles plowing the whole time doesn’t sound fun 

We have a 10hp lake here where guys run 16-17' Tracker type boats with 20/25 hp engines with cover decals. They get along pretty well. Wouldn't surprise me if you got 15-18 mph or better if you weren't overloaded and properly balanced out. I think you'll be fine. I'm running a legit 9.9 on the same lake in a 16.5 ft deep-V and can get 12 mph solo after some playing around.

35 minutes ago, BassinPA said:

Yeah there’s a market for them up here in NW pa due to there being quite a few large 20 hp restricted lakes the one is 18000 acres it’s ridiculous. I’m not sure if a 170 or 175 would get somewhat on plane or not because running 3 miles plowing the whole time doesn’t sound fun 

 

I see the guys around me on plane with a 25 HP with a 17' tin boat.  Not sure how it gets out of the hole but they always zipping around pretty good.      

That’s reassuring to hear I’d be happy with 15 mph. It’s a shame then new merc 4 strokes have different cowling size from the 20 to 25 hp or I’d go with the sticker swap. I’m sure it’s gonna feel like a slug compared to my glass boat with a 150 either way.  

Years ago my buddy had a 15' tin boat with a 15 Evenrude and we towed it to Baja.  It would plane with us and lots of tackle.  Lots of skipjack and a 200 lb mako were caught with it.  We'd also use it on the So Cal lakes.  This was pre GPS so we didn't know how fast it was but I'd guess about 15mph.

i have a 16ft crestliner storm. with a 20hp it does plane with gear (but i pack light)and by myself. dont know about with another person. i get around 19-21mph. i think you could plane that 17 tracker with minimum gear maybe.

Have some experience with a 20 hp on a 175.

 

A fully loaded 175 with 2 people isn't going to get up.  Looking at 11-13 mph in flat conditions and you will be pushing some water.

 

Playing with weight distribution can pick you up a couple mph.  Having the rider sit towards the nose would pick up 2mph.  If you only ever planning on having a 20 on it, look at taking out the gas tank out.  Unless you are running around on a bigger PA lake, 5 gallons is going to keep that 20hp running all day.

 

Never was in a situation that I didn't think the boat/motor would handle, just might take a little longer. 

 

 

17ft crestliner storm with 20jp suzuki 9 pitch prop one person 20.5 mph

Pretty common around here. Lake a bit north has a 25 hp limit. You’ll see a lot of people by old trackers with blown motors and stick 25’s on.  
 

I got a 50 on my 175, runs good and not underpowered but I wouldn’t want yo go any less. 

An real accurate answer would require us to know what kind of 20HP motor you are planning on using.

 

The old 20HP 2 strokes (I am familiar with Mercury) ran good.  I'd expect 15 MPH with no problem.

 

If you are looking at 4 stroke, they won't even get out their own way. 

 

We have some 25 HP lakes here in the KC area.  I have a Lowe 1648 that I put front and rear decks in.  Two batteries, 80 Lb Ultrex, and half a tackle store, by myself, I GPS at 26.2.  28.3 is my absolute empty, winter time best.  That is with a 1985 2 stroke 25 Merc.  We have some criminals here also that do the sticker change.  Cheaters is what they are.  I don't recommend.

 

We have guys with 17' Trackers or equivalent with 25 4 stroke.  With two guys and a decent load, they will barely, or nearly, get on plane.

We had 10 hp limit at the San Diego lakes for decades and nearly everyone had 20hp engines with 9.9 decals, just kept the top speed down. 

20 hp will plane your tracker.

Tom

Leave your 20HP motor at @Way2slow house for a few days. Next time you run it you'll get 60MPH out of it. 

Don't waste the gas.  My hands don't let me do that stuff any more.  I have a motor I started on seven years ago and it's almost finished but 15 minutes with a die grinder and my hands hurt for two days.

We have several 10hp lakes in my area. Everyone cheats with 15 carbs on the two stroke Johnsons and 20hp computers on the 4 stroke Suzuki's. Expect mid to high teens with a well balanced 17' welded boat, and low 20's with a riveted. 20hp Suzuki pushes my riveted 1648 with two batteries and a bunch of tackle at 23 by myself and 21 with a second person.