14ft fiberglass runabout

[J Headrick]

i have a 14ft fiberglass runabout. it now has an 18hp on it. a friend just gave me a 40hp evinrude, older model. i was curious as to whether or not that was too much weight or hp. thanks

 

[Jack Shellac]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

What does your safety data plate say? If there's not one in the boat, my offhand observation would be that a 40HP is considerably too big and heavy for this boat.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

Its probably okay, just make sure the shaft length is appropriate for the transom height. Usually those 14 footers take a 15 inch shaft. The top of the anti-cavitation plate should be within an inch of the bottom of the keel. Make sure the transom is in good shape first before mounting everything up. Also, you can go to Fiberglassics.com (if it is a 1969 or older), a lot of those guys have 14 footers they have restored, and I am sure some have 40 horse or larger on them.

 

[David E. Parker]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

J.: I have a 1965 14' Glastron Skiflite 'glass runabout. It is rated for 50hp. I have a '94 40 hp Evinrude on it and it scoots along as fast as I care to go. Cruises along nicely at about 24mph with plenty of throttle left to go. If I remember right, I had it up to about 34 mph before an approaching wake and more driftwood on the river than I cared to see made me throttle back. It's plenty fast enough for me!

 

[Capt Ron]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

You can figure out the recomended motor size by going to: <br /><br /> http://www.uscg.mil/d8/mso/louisville/download.htm <br /><br />and reading the PDF publication: <br /><br />"Safety Standards for Backyard Boat Builders" <br /><br />It has easy to follow details to give you the answers that you seek.<br /><br />Capt Ron

 

[upstate]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

if you go over max. hp for your boat insurance<br />won't cover it and you can be sued for being<br />stupid if you get in accident.

 

[scotiany]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

I've got a '70 14' 6" fiberglass runabout and it's rated for 55 HP, if that's any help.

 

[KIRASIR]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

Mine is a fiberglass 14' runabout as well rated for 55HP max. (I do have an 80HP Merc in it though) <br /><br />SL

 

[n0ukf]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

J Headrick, <br />Like David E, I have a 14' Glastron Skiflite (1964) and the tag on it says 50hp max. I have a 40 on line (seems to have the power of a 20-30 to get on plane).

 

[TopNotch]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

My friends 1960's 14' Starcraft says it can handle 40hp.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

my position on this is thus:<br /><br />1 is the operator competent<br /><br />2 is the boat structurally sound<br /><br />3 does the boat repond well to the motor<br /><br />if all of these are affirmative, go for it<br /><br />ive said it before, and Ill say it again<br /><br />a FIVE HUNDRED HORSEPOWER Viper will rumble along at 65 mph all day long. Yes it will go 200 MPH<br /><br />throttle back a big motor and it will do fine, last longer guys run little kickers at part throttle hours on end, and they dont hurt a thing and if a storm blows up, its nice to have an extra turn of speed if needed. naturally, if you are an idiot and hang 150 horses on the end of a johnboat , well, nice knowin ya<br /><br />but this is aimed at the sensible, non idiots out there that would use an overpowered motor sensibly<br /><br />remember the words of Uncle Ben to Peter Parker / Spiderman ... with great power comes GREAT RESPONSIBILY<br /><br />nuff said<br /><br />

 

[lakelover]

Re: 14ft fiberglass runabout

I had a 14' Glastron runabout with a 33 hp, but it was rated for a 50. It was very stable with the 33 with & without a load.