What size engine should I get?

[Bozol]

Friend just gave me an old 12 foot aluminium and looking to get an engine that will push two people quickly, but not racing speed. No console. Any thoughts?

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: What size engine should I get?

There should be a tag somewhere on the boat saying what it is rated for.

 

[Bozol]

Re: What size engine should I get?

It's pretty old, didn't find it on the transom or anywhere else

 

[steelespike]

Re: What size engine should I get?

Measure the demensions; length,width, depth (deepest) transom width, transom depth probably 15 or 20"compare to trhe 12 footers listed on the internet.
Lund,Crestliner,alumacraft,mirror Craft.Polar etc.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: What size engine should I get?

Depending on the age, style, and dimensions of the boat, it could be rated for up to 15 or 20 hp. I used to have a 12? Valco that was rated for up to 20hp. I used a Johnson 9.8hp on that boat and it went great. I was able to get up to 17mph with 3 adults.

Two other things to consider are your state?s requirements. Here in WA there are lots of lakes with a 10hp or lower rating; I can?t even use my boat with the 15hp on it. The other thing to think of is licensing requirements. In WA if you?re not on federal waters, under 16?, and less than 10hp, you don?t have to register and license your boat. That would save about $30 a year.

Anyways, I used that 12? Valco with the 9.8 Johnson for many years and it was a great set up.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: What size engine should I get?

Friend just gave me an old 12 foot aluminium and looking to get an engine that will push two people quickly, but not racing speed. No console. Any thoughts?

Unless it's a very wide and deep tinny, it will be rated for 7.5 or 10 hp.

Easy way to tell: If the widest point on the gunwales is 48", then it was probably rated for 7.5 hp. If it's 54", then 10 hp. If it's 60", 15 hp, but that's pretty rare for older aluminum boats. 9.9 or 10 hp will plane a 12' boat with two average people in it just fine.

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: What size engine should I get?

I had an old 70's something Merc 20 on a 12' jon as a kid. Clocked it at 38 mph with just me in it. Two people would slow it considerably. We skied behind that thing all summer. That thing was fun.