HI,
My son and I recently purchased a cosmetically challenged SF 14. It came with a Yamaha 4-stroke 9.9 O/B and a nice little Minn Kota 52 lb thrust troller. We had the motor tuned and carb rebuilt and it runs great.
We've added decking and seats, etc that probably put a bit over 100 pounds on to the boat. We need the 9.9 for local reservoirs, but are thinking about getting another motor in the 20-30 hp range.
Cost aside for a moment (and YES money is indeed a factor), what do other owners see as a good sized motor? I want to strike a balance between speed, maneuverability and the convenience of being able to handle swapping motors mostly myself without killing my back.
I like the fact that the 4 stroke runs so quietly and makes less pollution, but I am drawn to a 2 stroke for lower maint costs, better power curve, and less overall weight.
I will be buying a USED motor, probably, so the first thing I want to settle on is the HP. Should I go all the way to 30?
The boat will be used in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, etc. Calm stuff on mostly nice days. Right now the 9.9 doesn't even get the boat up on anything resembling a plane. It will be just me and my one son in the boat, so about 350 lbs of humans and maybe another 40 of gear plus the 100-125 of decking and seats. We have a 25 quart live well that we will sometimes fill (a cooler rig between front two bench seats).
Any advice appreciated. Let me know what you have experienced.
Thanks.
My son and I recently purchased a cosmetically challenged SF 14. It came with a Yamaha 4-stroke 9.9 O/B and a nice little Minn Kota 52 lb thrust troller. We had the motor tuned and carb rebuilt and it runs great.
We've added decking and seats, etc that probably put a bit over 100 pounds on to the boat. We need the 9.9 for local reservoirs, but are thinking about getting another motor in the 20-30 hp range.
Cost aside for a moment (and YES money is indeed a factor), what do other owners see as a good sized motor? I want to strike a balance between speed, maneuverability and the convenience of being able to handle swapping motors mostly myself without killing my back.
I like the fact that the 4 stroke runs so quietly and makes less pollution, but I am drawn to a 2 stroke for lower maint costs, better power curve, and less overall weight.
I will be buying a USED motor, probably, so the first thing I want to settle on is the HP. Should I go all the way to 30?
The boat will be used in freshwater lakes, reservoirs, etc. Calm stuff on mostly nice days. Right now the 9.9 doesn't even get the boat up on anything resembling a plane. It will be just me and my one son in the boat, so about 350 lbs of humans and maybe another 40 of gear plus the 100-125 of decking and seats. We have a 25 quart live well that we will sometimes fill (a cooler rig between front two bench seats).
Any advice appreciated. Let me know what you have experienced.
Thanks.
