advice for 14' boat

[kwh]

I'm looking for a 14-foot boat and would like some advice on a good brand/design. I will be using it for recreation on a large lake, and would like it to be somewhat stable, as well as safe for my two boys. It also needs to be light enough for two people to pull it out of the water on a beach. I'm thinking a 15 hp engine would be a good size, able to move the boat at a decent speed with four people in it. I'd appreciate any suggestions about a good brand of boat, whether welded or riveted is better, as well as suggestions about an engine. (Brands, 4-stroke vs 2-stroke, etc). Thanks all!

 

[nimmor]

Re: advice for 14' boat

You might consider maybe a little bigger boat for four people. There are 14 ft boats out there that are able to hold four people but it is a little crowded. But if you are determined to go witht he 14 footer just check out the maxium capacity rating on the boats plate to be sure it is able to handle that many people and weight.

 

[fixin]

Re: advice for 14' boat

I agree with thinking about a bigger boat.We have a 14 foot Bayliner with 50hp and a 14 foot John boat with a 25hp both run about 25 mph.A 15hp on any boat,with 4 people...you'll be puttttting.<br />Oh, and welcome to Iboats

 

[ratracer]

Re: advice for 14' boat

A 14' boat is OK for 3 people....it WILL feel crowded with 4. <br /><br />Because you're looking to primarily use the boat on a larger lake, for your own safety you should be looking at a deeper-v hull with a 20" transom. That size boat, especially with 3 or 4 people on it, will be heavy enough to pretty much rule out a 15HP outboard, a 25HP would be a much better choice and those boats are rated to handle that much HP. <br /><br />A couple of examples of the style of boat I'm thinking of would be a 14' SmokerCraft Voyager or a Sea Nymph (Lowe) 1467T. Something sized like a Sea Nymph 1457 or a Starcraft Sealite 14 to me would be a bit too light and shallow to be safe.<br /><br />If you're looking to routinely carry 4 people you really should be seriously looking at a 16' boat. Even with that size a 25HP motor would be more than adequate, and there are several models that don't weigh much more than a 14' so they should still be able to be dragged up onto the beach by 2 people.<br /><br />As for which brand of motor, all the major manufacturers make good models, the quality of service you'll get from the local dealership IMO is as important as the actual brand of outboard.

 

[kwh]

Re: advice for 14' boat

Thanks for your advice, everyone! It will be very helpful to me as I look for a boat.<br />kwh

 

[Boatist]

Re: advice for 14' boat

If you are on the West Coast then look for Klamath.<br />They make great boats and are wide with a very nice Deep V entry but pretty flat stearn. Boats very nice ride and also very stable. I would go with a 20 or 25. 15 Hp OK for 2 but 3 or 4 with fishing gear may not get on plane unless they are light weight people.

 

[Straightup]

Re: advice for 14' boat

I have to highly agree with the above posts. I had a 14 Alumacraft T14S with a 15 Johnson and 3 is doable, but 4 is overcrowded. I would not go any less than 16 feet for 4 people.

 

[vranasaurus]

Re: advice for 14' boat

Just remember these words:<br /><br />"He who says size doesn't matter needs to try a bigger boat."<br /><br />Minimum 16 for you but with four people even that will get a little crowded.

 

[stevens]

Re: advice for 14' boat

I was once given the advise to always buy a boat a lot bigger than you think you need, and as big as you can safely handle, as you will always grow into it.<br /><br />Nothing worse than having a cramped & unsafe boat because you've accumulated too much gear or too many tag-along friends.

 

[reddog349]

Re: advice for 14' boat

Kwh , I have a 16 ft jonboat which did have a 40 hp evinrude on it (sold it) .I would say that is what you need if you just want to beach it and hold 4 Although 4 is a crowd.

 

[monoshock]

Re: advice for 14' boat

Hello, no matter what boat you buy I would get an aluminum hull. When you buy an aluminum hull you’ll have it forever and then pass it along to you kids. I have a 1967 that’s had 4-5 motors on it through the years.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: advice for 14' boat

kwh - So you want to buy a small, light 14 ft. boat. I agree with the above opinions and recommendations - good reads. But remember 14 ft. small aluminum boats are not created equal - this is a picture of mine that I bought new. A 1968 FD Alumacraft - it's a riveted deep utility with a 15" transom, and it doesn't slow down much when it carries 4 persons. Rated for 40 hp., with a 40 hp. 2 stroke on it and I do switch to different hp. motors on it. Down to a 4 hp. even. It's my favorite and most used boat for so many reasons.<br /><br />Don't rush to buy a boat, learn and shop around.<br /><br />

 

[monoshock]

Re: advice for 14' boat

River-Runner, what's the top speed with the 40HP motor, if you have checked it. Looks like it should rid with a 40. Nice boat.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: advice for 14' boat

R-R that motor looks way out of proportion to the boat. You sure that 14fter is rated at 40 ? Must be a wild ride at WOT

 

[River - Runner]

Re: advice for 14' boat

Sorry for the latter post. Been busy and on the river going really fast in a big bass boat.<br /><br />As for how fast my above 14 ft. boat is ? I don't know, but it is fast - fast as I want to go with it. No speedometer but I do have a tachometer on it and the boat is rated for 40 hp., though they rate boats more conservatively now.<br /><br />You say the motor looks big. It is. It's a big block motor and about 70 lbs. heavier compared to what a 40 hp. motor used to be, but all weight is good. The tiller steer motor weighs more than the boat only weighs and it's a stock set up - no trim tabs or fin and works very well. The motor does have a SS prop on it though.<br /><br />As for a wild ride at WOT ? Not really. But it can be if you act like a kid with it. The boat builders know their stuff with it's design. It's a solid smooth ride because the boat is narrow with a soft round chine. It has a 4 1/2 ft. beam and is 4 ft. wide at the transom. With this set up it is a muscle boat - sure don't need it, but it's what can be done with a well built small aluminum boat.<br /><br />kwh - These types of boats are very versatile, don't go out of style and can last a lifetime. I've had this boat 37 years.

 

[Booner]

Re: advice for 14' boat

Kwh. <br />I agree with the above post's I would get one in the 16' – 18’ foot range. With three people and some gear a 14-foot will get crowded fast. And you said needs to be somewhat stabile I would get a deep V. <br />Look here ://www.lundboats.com/2005.html

 

[mattttt25]

Re: advice for 14' boat

you didn't really explain what you'll use the boat for, but here's an idea for an inexpensive package if you want to go new.<br /><br /> http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?fuseaction=boat.model&nav=14&boat=1280

 

[fishingdan]

Re: advice for 14' boat

If they sell Quintrex boats in your area, I would check them out. They are from Australia and are getting popular on the East coast. Their small boats are big. <br /><br /> http://www.quintrex.com.au/main.asp <br /><br /> http://www.quintrexboats.com/main.asp (US site I believe)<br /><br />They have a 14' boat that could comfortably take 4 for recreational purposes. <br /><br />Hint: The Australian boat names represent the length in centimeters. A boat named ending in 460 is 460 centimeters long or 4.6 meters or 15.09 feet.

 

[wirehoncho]

Re: advice for 14' boat

I just took a look at River - Runner's 14 footer and my eyes popped out! That’s a 40 hp hanging off a 15-inch transom?? <br /><br />Here my sea story on small boat ownership:<br />I made about a half dozen compromises on my first boat, a 14' Tracker Guide V14 and a Mercury 9.9 hp motor. The primary reason for this was that I wanted a boat right then & there.. The second, I wanted a beginner rig I could tow with my car (class 1 tongue weight) and the last was I was thinking along the lines you noted: a mission specific rig. BUT, I folks need some room to wave a rod, stretch a leg, cut a fart or whatever! <br />First time out on the water (Patuxent River, MD) went out with one adult beside myself, and two kids (making up close to 200-lbs. combined.. With gear and all, we were still under the CG rating of 795 lbs. and sat ok in the water.... but a 9.9 pushing about a 1,000 pounds?? The boat putted like an old oyster boat trawling... I shed 500 lbs. of weight later that day and I had a speedboat. After that excursion, my boat became a 2-person rig. <br />Not really a mistake but an expensive experiment was that I added a new merc 25hp 4 stoke to it 2 months ago.. I looks like River - Runner's rig above with that huge cowl! (Sue me, I couldn't pass up a deal like I got!) I tossed in a few more hundred on some remote steering/shifting swag and now I have my custom boat.. I'll post a pic later. The motor resolved the thrust under weight issue, but now I’m eyeing the transom every time a wake rolls my way. With the boat almost as heavy as the hull, I'm not boating, I'm low flying when I’m by myself! My plan by next season will be to comvert my 9.9hp to remote steering and mount it back on. Now I’m shopping for a 16' w/ remotes with a 15" transom to go with the 25 hp 4 stroke. and those 4 people like you mentioned, I will have a spare boat to let us pair off out on the river, or I can run my 14 solo in some of the tighter freshwater spots.<br /><br />But the real deal that’s got me fumed, while keeping a tab on my expenses, I fumbled through: the cost of one boat and 2 outboards equaled to enough cash to get a well equipped 16 footer that most makers carry. (al of this is paid for, no financing.)What I like to get into is along the lines of a LUND Rebel or Classic, a Super guide 16 or the like. one thing I learned is that you can buy your boat on the up front, but you'll have your boat.. O peace meal and DIY anbe be spending half the season rigging your boat instead of taking it out on the water! <br /><br />Lesson learned: SHOP AROUND! also ask yourself what’s really going to benefit you ease of getting the boat on & off the trailer or actually being on the boat. BPS was seriously under stocked at the time, and I was going to have to wait until the end of the season to get the rig that I really wanted. I figured I could do with out the "bells and whistles" and ended up dumping out the cash & sweat labor on the back end. That IBOATS has helped me find dealers & boat brands I haven’t seen in my area. If I have to drive a hundred miles to a dealer that’s ok, because this time, I will get a rig that will fit.<br /><br />Since I got some posters on, anyone hears or knows of folks cutting down the height of a Transom? Mercury just so happens to not make a extension kit for my motor (yet) and I’m considering on buying a 16' w/ a 20" Transom and having it cut down, (reinforced of course) so I can mount my short shaft. Ideas? Opinions?

 

[wirehoncho]

Re: advice for 14' boat

If you going to stay with a 14', I suggest a Deep V or Mod V hull Good examples Lund SSV14 or classic Tiller or the Tracker Grizzly series. the models that have 4 seats in them aren't showing you how they fish unless that have spae sockets to move the seats around.. and take note their ads show only 1 or 2 people not 4 burly guys with a road each, a tackle box, cooler (with beer). I'll be sure to show a pic of my boat loaded for a day of solo fishing to give you a idea what its like for me.