Motor for 18ft Sea Dory???

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[img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] I just recently purchased an 18ft(Alumaweld) Sea Dory. It's almost done. The 40hp long shaft my partner and I mounted on it cavitates something fierce. It's got a 25" inch Transom that lowers down to 23" inches where the motor mounts. I realize this is a wierd measurement. I've been assured that a 20" inch long shaft with a Pump will work out just fine. Which leads to one of many questions. This is a 18 ft dory with a 5ft bottom. Will a 115hp 4 stroke Merc Pump work for the boat? The 27gal tank is up front in the bow. The two batteries will be in the bow as well. The Coast Guard sticker says 150hp max with remote steering. I will have a 115hp with tiller handle. Some people I have talked to have questioned the installation of a Pump on a dory boat. I've never owned a pumped sled before so this greatly concern's me. I feel that a Sea Dory is the same as a flat bottom sled except for the raised bow. It should by all practical purposes handle about the same. Am I incorrect in my assumption. Any help would be appreciated. I have been preaproved for a loan and will be buying this motor tomorrow so as not to miss any more fishing than I already have. That is unless I get a bunch of feed back telling me I'm making a mistake and need to re-think my decision. Thankyou again SPACE FISH

[ 03-18-2003, 07:36 AM: Message edited by: Space Fish? ]

[Hogmaster]

You'll be set up well. My 18' (Alumaweld) Sea Dory was matched with a 100 Horse 2 stroke. The 115 four stroke will be a bit heavier, but it will be fine.

I always wondered about the sticker. But since mine was purchased from Stevens with the tiller and a 100 Horse, even though it said 50 "without remote steering" as max, I figured I was safe.

In fact most of the sleds of that era (including most guide sleds) showed stickers with "without remote steering" HP ratings much less than the motors they were running. When I asked about it, I was told it was a "guideline" but that the passenger and weight ratings were strickly enforced.

Good luck on your new ride!

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I have the same boat and my fishing partner has a 17' sea dory. Both of us have 115hp pumps that work very well on this hull. However, this hull was designed for a pump and will never work very well with a prop. The hull is for very shallow running and with a prop it will not run in shallow water. Given the fact that my motor puts out about 85hp at the pump with a prop on a 100hp should work fine. My pump has just enough poop to lift me and two of my 200lb buddies on step. There seems to be quite a few Sea Dory owners on the site we should have a Sea Dory appreciation day. See who has the best high and dry story. I have a good one but I wasn't driving. We waited a long time for the tide to come in.
FYI JW

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Thankyou very much for your input. Is a 115hp the largest motor that should be put on the dory or can a 130hp or 150hp be considered? I'm not trying to over do it but I would like to run the river and need to get on plane as quickly as possible. It's nice to know there are more of us out there. Bring of the Appreciation Day. SPACE FISH

[Grain of Salt]

mine is a 16 with a classic 50 prop...they work great with a prop, if set up correctly. Stern height is designed for a pump and too high for a standard longshaft. You either need to notch the stern, or as i did, install a "bay kit", basically a shaft and housing extension. I had the extension installed up in the power head and it has never given me trouble. Great boats, but buy a good rain coat, they ride wet at the tiller.
The inspection sticker rating is the legal amount and i have heard that the coasties will give some grief to someone like a guide with a 225 tiller