Getting a new jonboat, need advice?

[thyNemesis]

Hello,

My wife and I are looking to purchase a new Jon boat, AlumaCraft MV1448, trying to determine an engine size and shaft size so we can determine transom height of boat before purchasing boat.

We are looking to fish along the Florida Gulf coast, Pasco County, Fillmans Bayou area. So we have about a 3-4 mile trip along the coast, might have some choppy water on the trip over there, this is why we decided on a modified-V hull design instead on a flat-bottom Jon.

Now we are trying to decided on a motor size to use. Been looking at a few used 15hp and a few 25hp, which is the Max hp of this boat.
The boat weights #285, 3-people around #475, 2-#20 anchors, 6-gal fuel and misc gear.

Which engine size would you recommend? short shaft or long shaft? Transom height 15" or 20", does it make much difference when going up the coast in some-what choppy waters?

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
Jeff

 

[DeepCMark58A]

You won't regret having the max hp, with a 15 hp you can get there but with the weather on the gulf you might want to get there as fast as possible. Typically a short shaft is the desired motor, never heard of a long shaft on a jon boat.

 

[64osby]

I would get the 25hp with long shaft 20".

Don't know much about boating on the Gulf, you wouldn't find me on Lake Michigan in a 14' utility boat.

 

[jbcurt00]

Alumacraft lists the 2015 MV1448 as a 15in transom, so I'd suggest you look for short shaft motors.

If you can afford a new 25hp motor, buy it. The boat is rated for it. W a max capacity of 885lbs+/- you'll still be below max capacity if your people weight of 475 is accurate. And seldom does anyone wish they had less hp. Unless you fish low hp restriction lakes.....

 

[robert graham]

Short shaft for a 1448MV jon boat....the capacity plate will give you the max HP to use.....go with the maximum specified. Mine is an 1870MV with a 90HP motor....plenty of power and speed but still a pretty rough ride in a choppy sea....

 

[64osby]

Info I saw online showed this hull was available in either 15" or 20".

 

[jbcurt00]

The 2015 catalog at Alumacraft's site only showed 15.

Maybe 2014 is or 2016s were/are offered in both.

A 25hp long or short shouldnt be hard to find at the dealer selling the boat. Just match motor to boat transom at purchase. Or after you buy the boat hunt down a motor to match.

If I could pick 15 or 20in transom and afford to buy a brand new motor, I would default to 20in for the reason 64Osby posted above.

 

[fishin98]

Anything from a 15hp-25hp would do the trick......I have a Alumacraft Lunker 14V....I will be using either a 2007 5hp 4str Merc or a 1999 15 Merc 2str, depending on where I'm FISHIN....The Gulf,even inshore can and does get ugly, maybe a wide deep V might be in order. 20" transoms require a long shaft motor.

 

[Texasmark]

....... "So we have about a 3-4 mile trip along the coast, might have some choppy water on the trip over there, this is why we decided on a modified-V hull design instead on a flat-bottom Jon."

I have a problem with your idea possibly. If you are talking about the "back water", the West side of the peninsula of Florida, that's one thing. But if you are talking about the ocean on the East side I think you are making a big mistake.

With that said, back in the old days, (1950's) a 15" transom is about all you could get. A 15" engine is about all they sold. Later on, to get a 20" transom (OMC) engine you had to take a 15 and add a 5" OEM spacer and longer shift rod and drive shaft. Being in that boating era, it was common with tiller operated engines to have a bail can in one of your hands and the tiller handle in the other. Having water come over the transom was a common occurrence with following seas and quick stops from planing. The 20" went a long way in reducing /preventing that and when the self bailing motor well came out on some (now most) it pretty much sealed the back wash problem.

Personally I woudn't buy a 15" transom boat for fishing and would install the max rated hp per the BIA (Boating Industry Association) plackard recommended value. If going to fish/operate on the East side, I'd opt for a much larger boat.

That's my opinion and I am entitled to it! Others are entitled to theirs.