Speed Test 25 HP Mercury on a 16 ft Aluminum Boat under Different Conditions [Tracker Pro 160]

In this video I'll test the top speed under different conditions:
0-3 mph wind (estimated)
7 mph wind
13 mph wind
Tested on a Traker Pro 160 Aluminum Boat, 2 people on board.
25 horse power Mercury Outboard, aka Tohatsu.

[@omieyouknowme]

You could raise the motor up 1 or 2 holes on mounting bolt and gain a few more mph.

[@SteveChenFishing]

Good suggestion!

[@LoadedForBass]

Looks like you're on Quabbin😃 Steve What pitch prop are you running and what's your tach reading? You want that tach reading 6000rpm at full throttle. If it's not, drop down a pitch and you'll be amazed at the difference. See you on the Quabbin in 2024!!👍

[@SteveChenFishing]

Good point. I was with the original prop and tachometer was like 6500 rpm. See you on Q this year! You’ll recognize me by an Asian guy on a pro160 black boat😎

[@LoadedForBass]

@@SteveChenFishing I'll look for ya my brother! Check out our Crazy Gauge Spinnerbaits; Insane for Quabbin! I lterally destroy smallies all season long with them ;)

[@njseashorechas2698]

Interesting! I have a 16' aluminum Voyager. It has a floor and live well. Its powered by a 2013 25hp long shaft Yamaha tiller electric start and tilt/trim. 9 7/8 x 10 1/2 propeller. Its probably the exact same Tohatsu engine as yours. My top speed so far is 24 MPH (1 person) going with and against the tide and wind. Thanks!

[@SteveChenFishing]

Yes those speeds sound about right haha. Enjoy your boat!!!

[@omieyouknowme]

Yamaha and tohatsu/mercury two very different motors. The tohatsu is efi from 2005 and up. Yamaha did efi in 2017

[@1Rbrack]

Hello! Looking to buy a similar year tracker soon. From your experience, is there anything i should look for/keep an eye on when i go to look at it? Any common problems with older trackers? Thanks again for your channel and knowledge!

[@SteveChenFishing]

You’re the most welcome and thanks for watching. I noticed from other boat users that the bunk on trailer seems to be a weak point. On the control panel the key insert sometimes get loose and comes off. It falls inside and can be tricky yo get out, from the inside/under the panel. So make sure you tighten that.

[@ericcruz9751]

Just bouht same boat has 30 engine hope she does me good one owner used few times great condition first time boat owner hopping for best whats the most people u put in yours on calm windy day

[@rodrigoelgu]

I'm looking at buying one of these boats but i have a couple of questions. one is how well does this do in windy days with big waves, would you recommend a 16ft or something a little bigger? right now I have a rigged out kayak that I love but how is the your experience having a boat and a kayak, is a boat better more enjoyable? love my kayak but would like to know if a boat is worth it for me.

[@SteveChenFishing]

Hi Rodrigo, I think you've got the right person to ask. If you check the old videos of my channel it was all on a kayak. Originally getting on a kayak was an absolute upgrade from the shore fishing. Loved it. Let me answer your question in this way, I've experienced 4 different type of boats: 1. Kayak, paddle/pedal/trolling motor, max speed 4 mph 2. small Aluminum boat like my 12 ft boat max speed 15 mph /1 person, 10-11 mph/2 people 3. tracker Pro160 25 hp in this video, max speed 24 mph/ 2 people when calm 4. Ranger 20 ft fiberglass 250 hp motor, with livescope and Lowrance HDS 12s. max speed 70 mph 1. I rarely go with option 1 because I cannot cover enough water, too slow for me. I typically fish lakes 500+ acres, single trip on river 5 miles. so apparently 1 is not good enough for me. Besides, can't take other people with me on a kayak. 2. I fish mostly with option 2 now, love it so much. it only weighs 100 lb the boat. 56" beam, much more stable than a kayak. I can take 1 angler with me. that's a big plus. And I can cover water much quicker, with the help with my Garmin Echomap 7sv. It has the advantage of going anywhere without a boat ramp. 2 people can lift it EASILY. I would say this might be easier than most heavy kayaks. 3. the 25 hp is restricted by a reservoir that supplies water to Mass/Boston. In order to get it fast enough like over 20 mph/2 people, 160 with 5'10" beam is the choice. stability is NOT good for windy days >10 mph wind. If you check out the video section 3, the reason we have to go only 14 mph when it's choppy, is not because we're limited by the outboard. It's because it's feeling unsafe to go full rpm under that condition. 4. that's almost the top of the line experience on freshwater lakes. I wouldn't get a boat this big. Too much effort to maneuver by myself, both on water and on trailer. The 2 axle trailer is something I will avoid when I upgrade. I want to be able to move it around by myself without the car, so easier to store in garage/driveway. And if you're not fishing tournaments all the time, you don't need that 70 mph speed, which feels scary. I feel like the most comfortable speed is like 30-35 mph when it's calm. Given all the above info, if you're not restricted by hp, and towing vehicle, I would get something between 3 and 4. I'm thinking about 17 or 18 ft aluminum boat because of its light weight and robustness (if you hit the hull by accident). If you only have a sedan like me, option 2 you won't regret. Either one, don't forget to get a spot lock trolling motor, absolute game changer.

[@rodrigoelgu]

@@SteveChenFishing currently I have a nucanoe unlimited with xi3 spotlock livescope and all the bells and whistles and it's 41 Inche wide so it's very stable for one person, but im not going to lie sometimes I wish i coud move faster but don't know if I want the headache of having a boat. I have a sedan don't wanna spend all that gas money with a truck when i fish all the time.

[@SteveChenFishing]

Totally agree with what you said. I think a 12-14 ft aluminum boat is good for you. No need to upgrade your car. Like me, can’t make my mind to pull the trigger for a bigger boat. Same reason as you, it’s the towing vehicle that costs way more! I’m thinking of getting a Highlander with 5000 lb towing capacity. Much more expensive than a 17-18 ft boat. Spot lock is a feature that you don’t want to lose when upgrading. All additional costs.

[@garrettharrison6280]

What pitch prop

[@SteveChenFishing]

The original one on it

[@brentlemaster1]

Steve can you read the numbers on prop I’m curious as well what pitch to move that boat ? Thanks

[@FJBandhiscronies]

Hmm no kidding

[@SteveChenFishing]

No kidding

[@tieoneon1614]

I have a '94 Alumacraft Classic shallow V Hull, it came with a 2T Merc 40hp that will push it 32mph but I rarely run that speed cuz it GUZZLES fuel so usually throttle back to 25mph. Am conisdering swapping to this 25hp cuz can find them used cheaper. Instead of putting $ into my two stroke. I also wouldnt need to fuel up everytime i go fishing.

[@SteveChenFishing]

Yea the 4 stroke ones are much more fuel efficient.

[@tonyj5712]

That’s a good speed test with variables in wind resistance.

[@SteveChenFishing]

Thx, just wanna bring as much info as possible 😎

[@74stevedc]

Nice boat, most people don't need to buy a professional Bass Boat, unless your sponsored and that's your job. I have fun with a 10' jon boat with a 5 hp Mercury 2 stroke or just my trolling motor. Just getting out there and enjoying fishing is what its all about for me and sometimes I don't catch anything and that's fine.

[@SteveChenFishing]

You’re 100% right. This is my friends boat. Check out my other videos on my 12 ft aluminum boat. I’m still heavily customizing it. Perfect 1 person boat. Has the freedom and much faster than a kayak. Bigger boat like 16-18 ft is good for 2 and above anglers. Having fun together. 5-6 hp like us won’t move 2 people around fast…

[@richard27400]

I like it

[@SteveChenFishing]

Thx bro.

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

Thank you brother.👍

[@SteveChenFishing]

Thx for watching. Bro

[@fanxiulin5285]

太嗨了，赞

[@SteveChenFishing]

一个叔叔的船，不是我的。借来用用。我的车都拖不动这个😝