Will this motor work with this boat

[Greenjello]

Hi, I am looking at buying my first boat...today, man I have been looking forever but not seen this set up before.

Its a 15 1/5 procraft fishing boat with a 25hp 4 stroke Merc.

My questions is: Is the motor to small. I have read alot of posts so this is the info I have the son has the boat, he doesn't fish his dad just died he used the boat just trolling around. I want to be able to get on plain and get from here to there but it will be a fishing boat not for skiing or whatever I don't need to be a speed boat but I would like to be able to fish with my wife and I in the boat and be able to get out of my own way. I will be in lakes only.

Thank you

 

[Windykid]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

Have you checked for a capacity plate??

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

as i have said in other post, 70% of the rated horsepower of the boat is minimum, hp for proper performance. what does the uscg plate rate the boat? take that and multiply by 0.70, that will give you the lowest recommended hp.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

Also, if everything else looks good, ask him to take you for a ride to close the deal.

 

[Greenjello]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

Thanks all, I am going to look at the boat today but was trying to get info before I went. I don't know if there is anywhere to water test it near him but I will be checking out before buying. I found the uscg thread on backyard builders and it came up with 70% is 28hp which I can believe I guess I just have seen it common to have a 40-60 and seen some with bigger, still haven't heard back from the seller on the cap plate but that will figure in as well, I was just pretty excited to see a newer motor and a 4 stroke at that.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

25 is pretty close to 28, i would definately consider it.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

The worst thing I like to here when someone talks to me about a boat motor combination is.

"HOW SMALL OF AN ENGINE CAN I GET AWAY WITH ON THIS BOAT!

The reason that I say that is that with the combination you describe, you will have to run the engine at WOT everywhere you go just to keep the boat on plane. This will translate into the worst fuel economy (Or lack thereof) that you can even imagine. A 50 HP would be much better as you could get on plane and then actually back off just a little and get much better fuel economy than the 25.

My opinion is that the boat is underpowered!

 

[Greenjello]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

I understand what you are saying...agree that is most likely what happened when this combination was put together if I was going to buy both seperatly I would have gone for a bigger motor, I just don't know if this combination will work now that it has been put together

 

[marquette]

Re: Will this motor work with this boat

hp needed depends on the boat. if it is a 15ft with side console, floor,live well and casting deck then 25hp isn't enough. if it is a empty, 3 bench seat basic aluminum boat 25hp will be more than enough. not to mention how flat the hull is near the transom, how raked the bow is or what kind of fishing you plan to do. there is no ultimate first boat. it will take you at least 3 boats to start to figure out what is important to you in a boat. the better question would be is "how good a shape is it in for the price and how does it compare to other boats in that price"