Choosing the right motor..

[jkdrummer]

Hey guys brand new to the forum.

I just bought a fixer upper 14th aluminum jon boat that i'm beginning to work on. It's my first boat and I'm using it as a way to learn about boating.

Wondering how to choose the right motor. It seems very overwhelming! Even though I'm a little ways off from making this decision, I want to go ahead
and start acquiring the knowledge necessary. I'm sure it greatly depends on what you expect to do with the boat. Which for me would be fishing small rivers
and lakes, mostly trolling around, but a motor for longer distances. going fast is not a big deal to me.

Thanks guys and look forward to hearing and learning.

Jason

 

[86 century]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

It will depend on the rateing of the boat,load,realy shallow water.

A four stroke jet will get the job done about anywhere but can big money.
So if you dont plan on being real shallow water stick with a prop as the jets dont get the power to the water as efficient.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

What would be your typical load?Approximate weight?
Assuming just you for a load a 5hp would make about 10-12 mph using about 1/2 gal of fuel per hour(gph)@ wide open throttle. a 10 would uise about 1 gph.@ wot.
and make about 19-20 mph.

 

[jkdrummer]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

It would just be for me and one other person. I wish i knew the weight of the boat and rating. I'm not sure how to find that out.

typically what would be considered shallow water for what your describing? thanks

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Choosing the right motor..

consider whether you will be using it where motor size is restricted--if so you will likely be stuck with a 9.9. Which will be OK.

I found 15 to be a good, safe but fast enough size for a 14 jon. I also found a 25 to be too fast for inexperienced boaters.

If your boat is not really a jon boat, or has a console, things would be different.

I would not suggest a jet or go-devil; stick with an outboard. I am partial to 2 strokes, maybe because they are lighter; maybe because I am just a dinosaur.

Nice thing about a small boat/small motor < 25hp is you don't need a starter and therefore don't need to lug around a battery.

 

[jkdrummer]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

Is there good sites available to learn about all the different types? thanks

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

You'd get good advice with more details.

Weight of hull?
Width of bottom?
Usage for boat?
Steering wheel/console?
2 stroke or 4 stroke?
New or used engine?

You'd probably find a 15 to 20 hp to be ideal.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

Look for a metal plate inside the boat -- probably on the transom. It will tell you what the maximum HP is for the boat. If you have a bathroom scale, tip the boat upside down and put one end of it on the scale. Note the weight. Put the scale on the other end and note the weight. Add the two numbers and you have the boat weight. But that is almost a non-issue since on that side boat anything from a 9.9 to a 15 HP engine would probably work well. You cannot beat a two-stroke engine for simplicity, weight, and cost, especially for what you are going to use it for.

 

[jkdrummer]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

thanks silver. that's good info

 

[5150abf]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

As others have said a 9.9 or 15 is perfect on that size boat and the 15 would actually be fairly fast as those boats go and you will want an Evinrude or a Johnson and don't be scared of age clear back to the later 60s, and before I get jumped the 50s Evinrudes and Johnsons are great engines but for an only power source something "newer" would be better.

You can still get parts and the smaller engines were built like rocks, I had a 69 9.5 that ran like a champ, super easy to maintain, great engine.

The problem with a boat that size is weight distribution but since you are just beginning work on it that shouldn't be a problem, get your gas and battery as far forward as possible to help balance the boat, it will make it easier to fish and give it a better top end, if it turns out it is too far forward it is easy to move back and you don't have to extend gas lines or wires.

 

[86 century]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

I have seen so of the jet outboards that will run in less than a foot og water.
Where with a prop you are looking at 18" atleast to run.

 

[F_R]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

Jason, it would be extremely helpful if you could find out what the capacity ratings are for your boat. Unfortunately, jon boats are frequently overloaded and/or over powered and can be very dangerous.

If it helps, my 14' Alumicraft, 36" wide, is rated for 3 persons or 430 pounds. My wife and I total over 400 pounds, so that doesn't leave much reserve. Total allowable weight of persons, motor, gas, and gear is 625 pounds. Maximum horsepower is 15hp. It is one of the "better" jon boats on the market. Many are rated for much less. Having said all that, I would consider it to be dangerously overloaded and overpowered if at the maximum rated capacity.

#1, it is unstable, as boats go. I have owned many boats, and ridden in hundreds more, even canoes, and seldom wear my life jacket (yeah, I know, go ahead and fuss at me). But I ALWAYS wear my life jacket in the jon boat.

#2, I use it on the river. Yeah, I have ventured out on the lake, but it is not a good lake boat. If nothing else, it is toatlly unsuited for choppy water.

#3, I have it primarily to test run my old classic motors. It is happy with a 3hp, good with a 5 or 6 hp, ideal with a 7.5hp. Largest I've had on it was a 12hp. You'd better be careful with that much power on it, especially on the lake.

Summing up, as I said, please try to find out the specs on your boat, and please be careful. I think you have your head screwed on correctly when you said going fast is not an issue with you. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

If you don't have any engine HP restriction and are going for a 10 horse, better move forward to a 15 horse, both are same size and weights near same, better to have that extra punch available, just in case. A 2 stroker would be advisable if can find a new one or used in opt condition. Anyway a 15 won't give extra 50% top speed compared to a 10, but will gain better torque, hole shot, carry more weight and achieve slight better end speed.

Happy Boating

 

[jkdrummer]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

Thanks guys!

Any tags that were on the boat that listed specs and capacities is gone. But I have found a guy with the same model of boat that I have. All the measurements are the same. Spitting image of mine.

Here's the info he gave me:

3 persons - 415 lbs.

persons and motor gear 580 lbs

20 HP motor

Based off what you guys recommend, that seems like a bit more motor than I need. I just want something to pittle around small rivers maybe a little lake or two.

 

[F_R]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

Um, just wondering, don't you guys have boat titles up there in TN? Seems like there should at least be a make and year listed on it.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

10 is the restricted model of the15 HP, your boat is rated for 20, if budget is not an issue, personally would go for a 15, you can use it on your next boat, but if wanting something portable for goofing around on river/lake buy a Tohatsu 9.8 engine, it's the yourger brother to the 9.9 model. If you can find a 2 stroker, the better.

Happy Boating

 

[lncoop]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

Here in central Arkansas I can peruse CL any given day and find five or six 9.9 to 15 horse outboards of varying brands and vintages in good condition for $500 or less. The local classifieds will yield similar results. I suspect you'll find the Murfreesboro market to be similar. If so, find one you like in the aforementioned range, slap it on your 14' john, and go have a ball. No need to think about it too much. Welcome aboard. I've made many great memories in boats like that one.

 

[bryanwess2000]

Re: Choosing the right motor..

If it's a 1436 jon the capacity is probably 15 or 20hp if its 42'' wide probably 25hp or more. Like so many have said here, the condition of the motor is more important than the maker. Read the info here on iboats and buy a compression gauge and spark tester. Sea trial the motor if you can. If you can, have someone that knows alot about outboards go with you for inspection. If not learn how to check compression, spark, signs of overheat, water infiltration in the foot. I would only consider motors that haven't been opened, check for tool marks on the head and case bolts. Too many bad rebuilds to risk it. Hold out for a real clean well maintained motor.