Key Largo 180 w/ 90 salt merc

[Rainman]

I've been looking into boats and was curious what folks think about a 90 salt mercury on a Key Largo 180. The 180, from the manufacturers website appears to be a bit heavy, 1500lb range. Anyone have this setup or something similar that could give me some advice. I would usually have 2-3 adults averaging 180lbs a piece. I'm looking for a low 30's cruising speed. From searching the web I've found the 90 on the 180 Key Largo is quite common and the max recommended is 115. Thanks for your time.

[Miss Terri II]

If you are looking at a new rig go with a Merc "Opti-Max" 90 hp / 5 year warranty , great gas mileage , great idleing, ect.
115 hp is only about $ 400.00 more. 25 hp more for only $ 400.00 = best deal.

[Reel Cowboy]

My dad has a 170 Sailfish w/ a 90 Yamammaha that tops out at around 35 or so. It should be alright but you'll always want mo ponies.

[Rainman]

Thanks for the replies. I've been looking at a few 17-18ft used boats and most seem to have a 90 on the back. I found a Sea Chaser 1800 RG with a 90 and it's in a similar weight class to the Key Largo. Tough choices, just don't want to burn the motor out by being underpowered, especially with buying a used boat.
Thanks.

[Just Fish]

Rainman I have a Keylargo 186c with a 60 mariner 2 stroke on it. Its slightly underpowered but I have it tricked out with a speed prop and a SE 300 hydrofoil and it runs 30mph. I would recommend a 90. I have been told that a 115 is be too heavy and you would take on water from the self bailing ports.

[Bow'd Up]

I would go to a Mercury Optimax in 90 or 115 just for the ease of cranking and the holeshot of the EFI. Probably would go for the 115 just for the xtra hp for the same weight as the 90 if your boat is rated for a 115. Both have a dry weight of 375lbs according to the Merc website....I have a 90 Opti on my toon and love it

[sundown]

I got a 115 Optimax and have been well pleased with it..Like M Terri said, it was 400 bucks more than the 90. I stopped at Flint River Marine yesterday and am going to have a water filter put on it...No trouble with motor but Davis said it would be a good idea...

[fishbonez]

Rainman, I got pretty much the exact same setup your looking into. I've got an 18' Palm Beach with a 90 Merc saltwater series. Palm Beach boats are made in the same factory as Key Largo and the web sites share the same hull const. pics., I assume the layouts are the same as well. If the weights are equal I'd go for the higher hp, (115) but I would def. try to keep the weight down as much as possible. 3 adults standing in the back close to the transom will cause the ass end to sit low enough to let water in the scuppers, but I've had 5 adults in the boat and never felt bogged down.

The boat has a good layout though, sort of a "jack of all trades, master of none" feel to it, the only thing I haven't done is pull a skier or tube. If you have any questions, hit me up, I'd be happy to help any way I can.