Engine too Small for 1860 Jon boat????

[hooterville]

Ok i have a delimma. I am in the market soon for a 1860 jon boat. out of all the dealers around here i am leaning toward a 1860VTP side console Lowe Roughneck.
I have a 48hp Johnson that i would like to put on it a get a few seasons out of and put a new engine on it in a few years (maybe a 90 hp E-tech) after i get boat paid off.
The dealer has told me that i would be better off going with the 1756 with the motor i have.
I don't have to have a speed demon i'm just cheap. Anyone have any insight
Hull weight of 18' is 770lbs 90 hp max .
Hull Weight of 17' is 740lbs.80 hp max.

The 48hp just came off a 20' pontoon. Surely it couldn't do worse on a 1860 than it did that pontoon.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Engine too Small for 1860 Jon boat????

I have a barebones 18' Crestliner Voyager utility.About 300 lbs stripped.
It Flys with a 50 Evinrude It literally leaves the water on certain swells.I seldom run it that fast. Granted its much lighter than your Jon but I think your jon will get up on the water easier. I don't see why you couldn't get by with the 48 for a couple of years.Of course you'll need a prop change from the pontoon prop.By the way I have a 50 Rude on a 18ft Starcraft pontoon
not too quick but I'm guessing about 18 or 19 mph WOT.at about 5,100 rpm.

 

[hooterville]

Re: Engine too Small for 1860 Jon boat????

i use to have the the 48hp on a 16 alumacraft mv angler bass. pretty small compared to what i am looking at and it flew on it. i had the same prop on the Alumacraft as the pontoon.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Engine too Small for 1860 Jon boat????

Want my non-professional opinion? You ain't a gonna notice the difference. That is so much HP for that type boat you will blast away in either hull. Use your common sense.

I used to have a 9.9 Mc Cullough and I used to rent 1860's and I could plane them out in a heartbeat with that engine. A 48 Johnny would just make it sail.

Mark