Am i out of line with this big motor?

[praisnm]

i have a 1954 Evinrude Fleetwin 7.5hp...this guy is wanting to trade a Johnson 20hp for a 5hp, and he agreed to trade with me...would i be crazy to put that on a boat rated for 5hp? i know it mostly depends on the widest point on your boat, but i did put a solid oak transom in...the motor only weighs 20 or so more pounds than mine....and i've had 2 guys and anchor fishing stuff ect..and it did fine...what do you all think?

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

Yes, you are crazy to even consider it. Trade the motor because its probably a great deal, but don't put it on your little boat, please.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

i concur.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

Since your 1954 5.5hp motor is in running condition, it is probably worth more than the 20hp motor that you are being offered. There is no way I would make that trade, irrespective of the possibility of putting the larger motor on your boat.

Do yourself a favor, keep the '54 and buy the 20hp if you would like to have it.

 

[JB]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

You have a 7.5 on a boat rated for 5? You are already 50% overpowered, which is not wise. Going to 350% overpowered would be far less smart.

If you do it be sure to get the media to cover the launch. Maybe they will pay your survivors enough to bury you.

 

[praisnm]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

hahaha
well, i didn't get much support here, but i did get a good laugh. i also got to thinking...although a "20hp" motor would be great in theory...it should still only be rated at X mph....so even though i have more hp...it will still only go so fast....it would just get there much quicker, i have no doubt my boat would handle a 20hp...I do know that it would probably flip if i gassed it, lol. so i would have to accelerate slowly...which not do much good to be worth it. i might push it to a 9.9hp...but idduno...i know mine runs good, but if i do get a 9.9....then i will probably just get it to have it. maybe trade a home stereo w/ 12in speakers, and maybe a Tivo for it...we'll see what the guy says

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

Praism,
Trade up to a 14ft. aluminum boat. They'll run good with just about any horsepower, hold all your goodies, be a lot safer, and MOST important---you can put a bigger motor on it. I can't believe you'd consider trading your trusty 7.5 so soon! You must have driven a 10 or 20hp recently! HA HA
A boat rated for only 5 hp????? Boy it must be a dinker.....
Seriously, you can't go wrong with a 14footer, but get a trailer, too. They're not that hard to come by.
I would love to see that 20 running wide open on your boat--momentarily, 'til it ripped off the transom....-sorry, couldn't resist.
One more thing, with gas like it is, I'm coming to appreciate my 10 horsepower motors more and more!
Just my opinion,
JBJ

 

[steelespike]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

A 14 footer thats what to trade for.Your 7.5 will push a load faster with the 14 than your little dink boat and will be more comfortable,safer and roomier.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

I can see teams of lawayers smacking their lips.

 

[praisnm]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

how is it that a heavier 14ft boat with the same motor would be faster than my 12ft boat that is lighter? if i set right behind my middle seat...my little boat scoots arond 15mph.

if i got a 14ft...i might be sleeping in it! definately don't have the money for that

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

More surface area makes the 14' easier to plane.

 

[stl]

Re: Am i out of line with this big motor?

I have seen several 14 footers with trailer for sale for $500 or less in the past few days on St Louis craigslist. You could sell your boat and only have to shell out a few hundred more. Your 7.5 would do fine on them. In the mean time you could get an 18 or a 20 and fix it up now that you are an outboard wiz. I saw your video of that 7.5 on your boat and it looked like you guys were flying. Personally I would keep the 7.5. It is a neat little motor. The first motor i did was a 5.5 Johnson. I only use it a couple of times a year just to run it mainly. I just can't seem to let it go. As others have said you probably don't want to go any bigger on that 12 footer.