Light weight engine for 12' Jon

[jauguston]

I'm 67 years old and just bought a 12' Crestliner jon for my wife and I to do a little lake fishing. I carry the jon on the top of my Samurai tintop behind our motorhome.

I have aquired from friends a mid 80's 4.5 Evinrude that weights 49# plus the fuel tank. I also have a NS3.5B Nissan that weights 28#. They both run fine but I would like to have a little more speed with a engine that is not too heavy for me to handle. The 4.5 will push us 5.7 mph on my GPS.

What engine would I look for to do what I want. I have been told I should have some where around 8hp. There are a lot of older engines around that would probably work but I don't know how to know what they weight.

Jim

 

[JB]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

Howdy, youngster.

That 4.5 Evinrude you have is the heaviest version of the greatest small outboard ever made. The non-gearchange versions were a lot lighter, but FNR is worth having.

The 5.5 and 6HP JohnnyRudes of the 60s and 70s weigh in at around the same and will push you a little faster, but you still have to carry a fuel tank.

You are getting about as fast as that 12footer can go (displacement speed) unless it gets up on plane. That would probably require at least 8hp .

Were it I, and I am only a few years older than you, I would stick to the sweet li'l Evinrude you have.

If you do decide on a JohnnyRude 6, don't give that little 4.5 away. It is highly sought after and prized as a kicker and troller. If I had a 6 I would easily swap you even for it.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

I had a 12' Lowe Lake John 20 years ago (higher sides and wider than your usual John). I pushed it rite smartly with a 7.5 hp Merc; like planing out with it loaded with goodies was not a problem and had fun with it. Was rated for 10 hp. I had a '65 Toyota P/U with a shell camper (bigger than a topper but empty inside whereas a camper had stuff in it) and made a rack on top of the it to haul the boat. I could stand the boat on end and work it onto the rack alone from behind.

The 7.5 was just a perfect balance of speed and light weight. Loved it. Used to fish before and after work when the Crappie were running and anytime it rained when the catfish were running.

HTH

Mark

 

[steelespike]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

The evinrude 7.5 is only a few pounds heavier than your 4.5.
Should push you fine unless really heavy.A 3 gallon portable tank should be easy to handle and give you good range.About 3 hrs run time at wot.

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

Spike,

Thanks for the info on the 7.5. I hadn't thought about it before your post but the 4.5 and 7.5 are both in the same repair manual I bought. I have a plastic 3 gal tank so now the search is on for a 7.5!! What year range would be preferred. If I find one the 4.5 will be sold and it is in cherry shape.

Does anyone know if there is one available in NW Washington. A not too bad fixer-upper would be acceptable.

I have a Minn Kota Power Drive 40 on the bow so if the 7.5 trolls too fast that is not a issue.

Jim

I just looked on Craigs List and there is a 8 hp Evinrude listed today in my town for $600.00 and the picture looks like a age similar to mine. Would it be the same weight as the 7.5 or would it be a larger series?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

there's a 1982 on ebay #300113960673 buy now $675, and that includes shipping.

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

Tash,

Is the 8hp the same engine. See my last post.

Jim

 

[hitace]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

if you want something with a little more kick heres a 1998 15 horse johnson on ebay BRAND NEW never used.this will proably be the last time anyone ever sees a never ben used OMC product

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-...egoryZ111123QQihZ003QQitemZ130116811411QQrdZ1

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

Ace,

The purpose of my post was to find a light weight motor for a little more speed than the 4.5 would provide and I had been told a 8hp would be pretty good. Are you saying that that 15hp would be about the same weight as the 7.5 Evinrude that others have suggested??

I am still trying to find out if a 8hp Evinrude of the mid 80's is the same family as the 7.5. I have found one here in town for sale. Does anyone know or know where I can look for that kind of information. My web search has not come up with anything useful.

Jim

 

[hitace]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

the 15 I'm talking about would only be a little bit heaver.like JB stated that model you had there was one of the heaviest out there.plus it will have that extra power if you ever needed it.

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

I will have to stay with something less than 10hp. That is the maximum the boat is rated for.

One more time, does anyone know if the 8hp Evinrude is the same family as the 7.5hp in the mid-80's??

Jim

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

yes, the 4deluxe/4.5/6/7.5/8hp are all in the same weight class, around 50#. Going to a 9.9/15hp motor jumps you up to ~75#. You want the 7.5/8hp if you even want a chance of planing out with 2 people in the boat. My 6hp planes with one but it won't with 2.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

J can you copy the link to the craiglist motor, and paste it here. what year is your motor and the one on craigslist.? so we can compare weight.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

did some check at NADA boats. couldn't pin down the exact weight of your 4.5 but somewhere betwee 39-54 lbs. the 82 7.5 on ebay is 58 lbs, the new 1998 15 is 82 lbs. which is a hand full for any man.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

did some check at NADA boats. couldn't pin down the exact weight of your 4.5 but somewhere betwee 39-54 lbs. the 82 7.5 on ebay is 58 lbs, the new 1998 15 is 82 lbs. which is a hand full for any man.

The 4.5 weighs 49 pounds. The 4.5 is the same motor as the 4 deluxe. It lost the .5 hp when the hp ratings were changed from the crankshaft to the propshaft. But, it is the same motor, and one of the best ever made. I ain't giving mine away for nothing.

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

Thanks Lee. That is what I was hoping. My OMC repair manual says the 4.5 weights 51.5 lbs short shaft and the 7.5 is 56.0 lbs. Those are the only two models listed in this manual PN 392070.

I am going to look at the motor this afternoon and if it is not all salt eaten I will buy it. Thank you all for your help.

Jim

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

I am now the proud owner of a 8 hp Evinrude model E8RCOB s/n B100922.

The salt had not done much damage so for $400.00 I brought it home.

I just weighted it and it is 56 lbs just like the manual said it would.

A little bit of cleanup and a good dose of Sea Foam should make it look and run like new.

If I find with the load we will be I can't get 5000 rpm or more is there a propeller available for this engine with less pitch than the 8 1/2" X 9" that is on it??

Thanks again for all your help!

If this works out there will be a cherry 4.5 for sale soon in Bellingham, WA.

Jim

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

change the impeller just to be sure. no point in having to troll back. i believe you already have the service manual, engine diagrams and parts list are here: http://www.evinrude.com/en-US/Accessories/Literature/

 

[jauguston]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

Impeller, gearcase oil, spark plugs (non-resistor), air cleaner service, grease the fittings.

What else??

How about the propeller. Is there a 8 1/2" X 8" or 8 1/2" option if I need it instead of the 8 1/2" X 9" or even a low pitch 9"? There is room for a 9".

You are correct, I do have a OMC manual for 4.5 and 7.5. Am I going to find differences with the 8?

I just finished the first session of cleaning and it is cleaning up quite well.

Jim

There is a sticker near the fuel hose connection that says 100-1. Sounds like a bad idea ?????

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Light weight engine for 12' Jon

100-1 is a bad thing, was recalled back to 50-1, here's the correct manual. get the number and search ebay. http://www.kencook.com/evinrudejohnsonmanuals/index.cfm?fuseaction=models.main&year=1985&ID=121776

here are the props: http://www.boat-props.com/propeller..._id=12&**********=513694627&*******=907880683