1852 Flatbottom Jon Boat Motor Options 50 Merc, 100 Merc or ?

[19_A_CPT]

I just bought a big flat bottom aluminum boat and am looking to opinions on what motor to go with. It is 18 foot with a 52 inch floor. I can get the following motors for it, but just trying to get some other opinions...

Setup 1: Boat with a 1971 Mercury 50 horse with all controls for $250. Owner says it runs with the water hose and muffs on it, but will not run in water?? Option 1: $250

Setup 2: 1969 Mercury 1000. Not sure if controls come with it, but owner says its been three years since it was ran, but it was running then. Option 2: $75

Or should i attempt to find a different size engine for this setup. Most use will be on open water and may occassionally get in the Tennessee River and other rivers of the sort.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: 1852 Flatbottom Jon Boat Motor Options 50 Merc, 100 Merc or ?

Neither one, see what the max HP the hull is rated for and look for something newer and close to that HP.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: 1852 Flatbottom Jon Boat Motor Options 50 Merc, 100 Merc or ?

+1 on above suggestions. Old outboards can be a real pain when you don't know their history.

First thing I would do on any used outboard is get the lower unit checked out--pressure and vacuum tested for quality of the seals. You also want to drain the lower unit grease looking for any water in the grease. Seals can cost you $300 alone. Bearings, etc. for the lower unit are unaffordable.

I see such boats on the Tennessee River with commercial fishermen running traps, and they have big motors--100+ hp--on them. There again, check out the sticker on your boat to see what it's rated for.

 

[19_A_CPT]

Re: 1852 Flatbottom Jon Boat Motor Options 50 Merc, 100 Merc or ?

Either motor i get will get a run through with the local boat shop. My motor guy does great work for me. I may be getting stationed at Fort Polk in about six months, so something that would fit in the bayou/waterways there would also be an honorable mention.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1852 Flatbottom Jon Boat Motor Options 50 Merc, 100 Merc or ?

If its a bare aluminum jon it should get up on the water easily and could run real well with a 25 unless your speed crazy. We used to run a 18ft Crestliner utility with an old Gale 25 It would plane comfortably with 6 adults and 2 kids and we managed to ski with a 100 lb adult spotter. Your boat will draw a lot less water with a lighter motor. A 50 will just about fly,we have that now.
A 25 will use about 2.5 gallons per hour at wot,a 50, 5 gph and the 100 10 gph.
I think the 50 Merc has 2 carbs and at least 1 fuel pump,the 100 has 3 carbs and maybe 2 fuel pumps and a touchy ignition. The 25-50 hp Evinrude/Johnson one carb one fuel pump. And a vast supply of parts right here at iboats.

 

[robert graham]

Re: 1852 Flatbottom Jon Boat Motor Options 50 Merc, 100 Merc or ?

My jon boat is an 1870 with a 90C Yamaha and I rarely want or need that much power...I've always thought that a 70HP would be more than sufficient....heck, a 50HP would be enough for me!