New Outboard for Alumacraft 165 CS

I have a 165 cs, with a Honda 50 4 stroke. It is ok, but when I get gear, full live well, and 2 adults, it can hardly get on plane. I have tried all sorts of props with the same result. I think the Honda 50 is a bit under powered for my boat. I was thinking of getting a 75 (which I think is max) on it this spring. I’ve heard of people putting a 90 on them, but I think that exceeds the coast guard plate.

Do you have any recommendations of what band, and maybe even a contact I could call to start this process? I’d like to trade my old motor in if possible.

The new Yamaha F70 or even the F75 would both be a good fit for that boat. We could also take yours in on trade.
Let me know if you would like a few numbers put together to see if its something you may want to do!!

Like Eric said, That F70 Yamaha is a sweet little motor. It’s also much lighter than most other brands in it’s HP range. That’s where I’d look.

You might want to try moving more of the weight forward in the boat.

My uncle runs a 165 single console Alumacraft with a F70. I have to admit that it is a quick little boat that hops right onto plane with three adults. That is that most weight that I have ever fished with in his boat, so I can’t speak as to anything heavier.

FDR

We had a 165 with a 40 on it and it could get on plane with 3 people without much trouble. Wasn’t much for top end but we were OK with that. I think the issue is more in prop and motor height than the horsepower but a new motor is always nice. You would probably be money ahead to sell it and buy a boat with a bigger motor on already on it if that is what you want.