How much HP can this boat take?

[adamkosecki]

I'm about to finish up a project that I almost finished about 3 years ago, before moving out of state for said time. It's a 13' aluminum boat. All that's left is some interior paint, rebuilding and putting wood on the transom, and a good wash.

And get a motor. This boat was rescued from the garbage so I have no idea what make / model it is. There are no manufacturer plates and no max HP label. I have no idea what I can put on here. There was a 35 HP Evinrude Big Twin near the boat when I picked it up, but I'm not even sure if it was ever on this boat. Plus, I think it was a long shaft motor, this is a short shaft transom.

I'm looking at a nice used 40HP motor, but I don't want to rip my transom off. Is that something I need to worry about?

I'd like to note that I have hardwood floors made that are not in this picture - they were stored inside

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

the 35 was probably on it, a 40 would be really nice. i would put a 1/2 inch sealed plywood motor pad on the outside of the transom. it is just a cushion for the motor to sit on, and not damage the aluminum.

 

[adamkosecki]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

the 35 was probably on it, a 40 would be really nice. i would put a 1/2 inch sealed plywood motor pad on the outside of the transom. it is just a cushion for the motor to sit on, and not damage the aluminum.

The inside had some wood running across the back where there is no paint now - I'm going to replace that with hardwood of the same dimensions.

The outside had an Isosceles Trapezoid shaped piece of plywood on it where there is no paint. I was also going to replace that. I assume that's what you're referring to?

I'm still worried about losing my transom, at least when trailering. Am I being a dork?

 

[adamkosecki]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

Any other opinions?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

I'm still worried about losing my transom, at least when trailering. Am I being a dork?

What about a "transom saver"? They're only like $25.

 

[adamkosecki]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

Yea, I was going to do that. I don't need to t worry about 40hp being too much power for this small aluminum boat?

Thanks,
Adam

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

Yea, I was going to do that. I don't need to t worry about 40hp being too much power for this small aluminum boat?

Thanks,
Adam

If you can't find a comparable boat (and its rating plate), I'd follow TD's suggestion that the 40hp should be alright.

 

[MadProps]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

this should help

 

[adamkosecki]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

Dah! I got 63 for my value. That points towards just a little over 30hp is acceptable. Now I'm even more unsure about buying the 40hp motor!

 

[larky]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

don't sweat it, the 40 hp should be fine

 

[Ezrider_92356]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

i bet the coat guard formula would probably come out around 45 if anyone rembers the link to that.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: How much HP can this boat take?

http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/part1/reg33_183_4a.htm


So if your factor is 63, then the result is either (rounding up to next 5hp):

Remote steering - 40
Flat bottom - 20
Other - 30

You'll be fine with a 40.