max power for a 16' j-craft

[speedking]

i have a 16 foot j-craft and was wondering if any could tell me what the biggest outboard is that i could put on it

[David]

I wouldn't put more than a V4 on it if it were up to me. Maybe a 2L Merc 150 or a 150 OMC.

As I understand it, they get squirrely past 60, and it takes set up to get there.

The 17 was rated for 150.

There are lots of better boats for just going fast (sorry Flat Out if you read this), but none better for water skiing and decent speed.

[150aintenuff]

i have a 16 foot j-craft and was wondering if any could tell me what the biggest outboard is that i could put on it
legally.... insured... USCG.. or actual.....

actuall largest motor is the bigest motor you can bolt on and have it still float with some one in it at the stern without taking on water..... what exactially are you planning and what type of setup are you looking as in terms of weight placement.ect... there are to many variables to just spout out a number...

[chris_lacey]

David, I thought the 17's were rated for 140's. I could be wrong, it's been a while. A 17 with an inline 150 was pretty common. That's about equal to a modern 115.

I would be more concerned with weight than hp. The 17 J's are pretty narrow at the stern and don't carry weight well. I definately wouldn't be putting a 4 stroke on it.

It's not going to be a rocket anyway due to the very flat bottom. I'd set it up as an excellent ski boat. Put on a stainless 19P 4 blade with a 115 2 stroke some or other and it will ski like a champ.

[speedking]

ya, i agree with you about these boats not being made for speed, i bought it for skiing and it has the smallest wakes ive ever skied with (even smaller than a $80 thousand ski nautique, or mastercraft!!), i would just like more power out of the hole, and a bit more speed for bare footing. thanks for all the help.

[David]

In the early 90's I really wanted a stepped bottom 17' J. At the time I thought that there was no reason for me to ever buy a boat bigger than 17' or faster than 60 mph. My thinking has evolved since then.

I have a lot of old J craft brochures, and the 17 was rated for 150 HP.

The 1992 brochure shows a 1991 XR4 on a 17' J, being driven by one of the factory guys. That same man (whose name I have forgotten, not Mr Jones) told me that the pictured boat went 72. Of course that would have been speedo 72, not GPS 72. He told me that the stepped hull was about 2 mph faster than the pure flat bottom.

That does not mean that a 17 J is a sane 70 mph ride. I've passed a 17 footer going near 60 and it look pretty loose.

For sure no 4 stroke and I see no point to a V6 on a 17' J. I like the V4 on a J. John Spaeth's 19 J with 115 Johnson has a better ski pull out than my XR4 Merc/Allison. Of course he's propped to go <50 and I'm propped to go >70, but still, that seems like enough.

But perhaps you don't want to convert to OMC or Yamaha power. If you want more Merc pulling power than an inline 6, that would mean a V6 135 or 150. I don't really like the newer inline 4 100-115 Mercs.

On the other hand, a 16 footer is even smaller than a 17 footer. You can always sell the V6 if it is too much for the boat:)

[OntarioStreamin]

My uncles 1970 J-Craft 16' has a MOD 2L merc on it and it runs an easy 60 gps. The motor is pretty much a sst 120 so it could turn like 8000rpm but with the 26 laser it only spins 4800rpm! And I think it has 65+ potential!

[Culprit]

i agree with above. I had a 78 17 foot j with a 140 Johnson. Ran 50mph with a 21P (speedometer). Could have used a 19P if you are doing a lot of slalom skiing. If just rec. skiing the 21 worked fine. If you go with an 86 or newer (prop rated) engine a 115 should be plenty for that boat. Don't put a v6, it won't take the weight. also something i did that I really liked was changed the speedo to an airguide ski speedo. 0-50 mph. Really helps you at slower wakeboard, Kneeboard or trick ski speeds..

[speedking]

David, would you happen to have any j-craft brochures from 1980? if you do could you send them to morg2390@mail.scdsb.on.ca
thanks

[David]

I did not get the J craft bug until the late 80's, so my brochures are from then until the end.

[DrJay]

I've got a '69 J-Craft short deck and the hull tag says 135 as max hp. Hope this helps.

[keviniggy]

This post is old, but I've had a 150 merc on my 16' j craft for years, and just recently put on a 200 hp efi. It is only about 40 lbs heavier, but great hole shot. It will do 80 mph without effort, but I would stay away from that speed. The Hp was more for holeshot for skiing and barefooting. Only thing you have to watch is when you slow down you must troll forward till the wave catches up with you or the wave will come over the back.

[keviniggy]

p.s. speedking are you still selling your rig?

[speedking]

Yes I am, I'm selling just the hull and trailer. No engine.

[David]

I have to ask. What shape is your 16 J in? Has the floor/transom/core been replaced and if so, by who?

My goal is to talk my brothers into splitting the cost of a J with me.