Legend boat engine size?

Post by **1lastcast** » Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:07 pm

Okay i think i have the wife talked into allowing me to buy a bigger boat.
we even looked at the boats this weekend at the toronto fishing show. I like the legend 18Xcal. but the motor a 50hp 2 stroke seems to small for the boat? What are your thoughts? Id like to upgrade to a 90hp 4 stroke?

does anyone have a legend with a 90hp or 50hp motor running it. Id like to get some feedback from fellow anglers that will be true. Some times the sales people will tend to say what you want to hear to make the sale.

Post by **Badger Shark** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 3:02 am

I had a legend for all of 2 months before I fought to take it back. I am not going to repeat the details here but in a past thread you can read it, just look it up under my name.

The legend I had came with a 40hp 4 stroke and it was way under powered. If you do decide to go with legend then I would recommend getting the highest rated hp motor. Their customer service is almost non-existant, this is one reason Hurst Marina dropped them. This is however just my opinion I am not speaking for other legend owners, in fact I have met lots who are happy with theirs. So Its up to your judgement, but like you said salesmen will tell you what you want to hear.

Post by **xcal** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 6:25 am

1last cast:
I own 185xcal with a 90hp 4 stroke. Have been very happy with outfit. PM me if you have any questions.
xcal

Post by **Erie-Eyes** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:25 am

Hi 1lastcast,

Post by **Erie-Eyes** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 9:35 am

Hi 1lastcast, Many boat manufacturers market their units with underpowered motors in an attempt to keep advertised price at lowest possible level. Do not fall for this tactic. Check what the maximum horspower rating is for the boat (it should be posted somewhere on it) and then accept nothing less that 75% of that amount ie. if maximum HP rating is 100HP then you should not consider a motor smaller than 75HP, and you will be much happier with the performance of your rig. Many people feel that a smaller engine will save them fuel cost, but a smaller engine running wide open all the time will use more fuel than a larger engine running at its optium rpm range.

Post by **xcal** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:46 pm

1last cast:
Like the other people who have replied, you would probably be very underpowered with the 50hp. If I'm not mistaken, that boat is rated for either a 135hp 0r 150 hp max. You may have trouble getting on plane with 4 people in boat with the 50. That's a big heavy boat your looking at. It is great in big bodies of water. Like I said earlier, send me a pm if you want to know any of the specifics.
xcal

Post by **Scumking** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:04 pm

Badger Shark wrote:I had a legend for all of 2 months before I fought to take it back. I am not going to repeat the details here but in a past thread you can read it, just look it up under my name.

The legend I had came with a 40hp 4 stroke and it was way under powered. If you do decide to go with legend then I would recommend getting the highest rated hp motor. Their customer service is almost non-existant, this is one reason Hurst Marina dropped them. This is however just my opinion I am not speaking for other legend owners, in fact I have met lots who are happy with theirs. So Its up to your judgement, but like you said salesmen will tell you what you want to hear.

Badger Shark is right on this one.legend boats are always under powered on there display packages.An 18ft boat with a 50 sounds like the same deal. Just be careful to realize that in the past if a legend is rated at 90 HP that is for a 2 stroke and not a 4. A 4 will go 200 pds heavier and give the transom some problems.

These were issues in 2000 -2003 not sure if there relevant now.

Just check it out to be sure.

Ron

Post by **1lastcast** » Sat Feb 24, 2007 8:55 pm

Im going to upgrade the engine to a 115hp OptiMax. I think the Optimax is the motor for me. less weight, less money, better hole shot. wish me luck. now I'll be on the market for a kicker motor for this set up. Im thinking 9.9 4 stroke? Or even a 5hp might do it?

Post by **Badger Shark** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 3:00 am

Good choice on the motor, hope your legend works out better for you than it did with me.

Post by **Erie-Eyes** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:16 pm

I think you are now on the right track. Take the larger motor for your main engine and add a 9.9 4 stroke kicker for trolling - this also provides a back up safety feature if the main engine ever quits for whatever reason. Enjoy - it will be fun.

Post by **swampbuster** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 5:34 pm

Hi 1lastcast

Just some thoughts on you new kicker, (maybe)you will probably need one to fit a 20" transom, also you might want electric start and power trim and maybe remote steering and shifting. Also be carefull when you position the small motor it does not hit the big one when trimmed up and turned all the way each direction. Also you will probably put a tee in your gas line to feed the kicker. I have heard this is not a good idea but it is working ok on mine. I also made the mistake of installing the ignition key where it can be hit with you knee when you are all bundled up in your floater suit.Also if you do any Muskie fishing without the right prop my 9.9 johnson 4-stroke struggles to troll at 5mph. Slow trolling however is a dream. I think those big foot /prokicker mercs are about the best out there right now and it would look pretty hot beside your opti.I got the remote steering and throttle controll but cheaped out on the power trim. I think it is a safety issue you really don't want to be hanging over your kicker on those bumpy walleye weather days.You will notice a differance in boat handling also its like having a 110 lb man sitting in the back of your boat all the time, not a big deal but you will notice it. Aso if you have a travel cover you may have to modify it to fit the kicker , don't just unsnap a few clips to make room as they will scratch your paint with the constant wind action.

Hope my ramblings help Russ

Post by **Frazman** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 11:03 pm

Hi swampbuster,

I see you live on Dog Lake do you know of some spots to fish Largemouth Bass.

Thats a nice fish your holding, your smile is so big it's hard to see your face.

Let me know

Fraz

.

Post by **swampbuster** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 7:23 pm

Hi Dave

I doubt very much if there is anything I could tell you about Dog that you don't alredy know.

Are you going to the Transport Can meeting on Fri?

Hope your winter is going well.

Thanks Russ

Post by **Frazman** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 9:49 pm

I called into the office last week and was talking to Rajeev. I wanted an idea what kind of things they going to talk about... Well It was almost a waste of time.

He mentioned they wanted to review some updates on the Boating Regulations since we all registered 2 years ago. I asked him what some of them were, I said I didn't want to take the afternoon off work if they were minor ones. He said well you don't have to be there I will send out some booklets for the guides that can't make it there.

I asked him if the guides that have over 100 H.P. still have to get a medical every 2 years, if I heard him right we don't have to get one
anymore.

I wonder about the other permits that are due after 5 years.. hum

Did you ever get your fishing boundries expanded yet... I did took them most of last year to get it processed, real nice to have it opened up ??

See ya there, I plan on getting some time off, can't miss all the yelling and screaming..

I likely have a few things to ask as well. Radar reflector ??

Fraz

.

Post by **1lastcast** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:28 pm

Frazman are you highjacking my topic posting?