4hp on 14'

[jackpine]

Hello Again,<br /><br />Quick question. Is a 4hp outboard enough power to push a 14' boat. I could go up to a 6hp but am worried about the extra weight because I will be taking it on and off the boat often. Any information provided would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Jackpine

 

[JB]

Re: 4hp on 14'

Howdy, Jackpine.<br /><br />Yes, a 4hp will push a 14' boat, but not very fast. 6-10 mph. It will not plane it.<br /><br />A 6hp would not be much better.<br /><br />If your boat is a lightweight tinny, lightly loaded, a 9.9 might plane it.<br /><br />For low speed operation and portability I would choose a JohnnyRude 6hp, around 50lb, for the FNR gearshifting.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 4hp on 14'

I have a Johnson 9.5 on a 14' aluminum boat, and it planes it quite nicely, lightly loaded (max rating is 10 hp).<br /><br />It's not bad for mounting and unmounting, but if you are going to do it frequently, you might want something a little lighter at the expense of speed/power.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: 4hp on 14'

There are 14 foot boats and then again there are 14 foot boats. <br /><br />14 foot aluminum Jon with a light load on calm water is one thing. A 14 foot glass boat with a couple 200lb fishermen with gear ect. on the Gulf is another. <br /><br />Years ago I had a 14 foot Jon with a 4hp that I used to fish small lakes. The 4hp did quite well on that boat. Had a blast with that set up but as I aged I found I needed a more stable means of flotation.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: 4hp on 14'

I hear Tohatsu/Nissan still has some 9.8 hp two strokes at around 60 lbs. Supposed to be great little motors...

 

[neumanns]

Re: 4hp on 14'

If you are looking this road to get on the water go for it. Yes you will be underpowered but at least youll be on the water. Slow and steady is better than not at all.<br /><br />At one time a had a ten foot jonboat with a 2.5 horse and a 32" beam. Slightly unstable, slow, small, YES all the above but sure had a lot of fun in her until I was in a better position for a better rig.<br /><br />Carried that rig cross country once in my motorhome...Yes IN. Carried it many places on top of a jeep wrangler...Yes on Top. Every boat has a niche where it fills the bill just perfectly...Even if there not all powered to the max. Money and size was that rigs niche, but it sure didn't diminish the fun I had.

 

[jimfj]

Re: 4hp on 14'

I push a 21 foot sailboat witha 4hp mariner and it makes 5-6 mph. I push another 21 foot sailboat with a 9.5 rude and it makes 8-10 mph. Both boats weigh 1600# Hope this helps.

 

[jimfj]

Re: 4hp on 14'

I push a 21 foot sailboat witha 4hp mariner and it makes 5-6 mph. I push another 21 foot sailboat with a 9.5 rude and it makes 8-10 mph. Both boats weigh 1600# Hope this helps.

 

[Cal_MI]

Re: 4hp on 14'

I plane my 17 ft square stern FRP (glas) canoe at 9 mph with a 3.9 Merc. Of course, that canoe is lighter than most boats.