how much power?

[jackhomerbarton]

Im looking at buying this boat, its a 14 footer, fiberglass , not sure of the make or model.

i was wondering what engine i should use. I'm thinking of the Briggs&Stratton 5hp. is that going to be enough power to use for fishing and tooling around on the lake? what kind of speeds am i looking at? what power would you reccomend?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: how much power?

I don't know much about boats like that, but I would think closer to 10 or 15 HP would be more appropriate...maybe even more.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: how much power?

Are you planning on trolling? If so, get a small hp 2 stroke or a 4 stroke. A 2 stroke above a 10 hp is not as good for trolling. A 10 or 15 will push it along fine.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: how much power?

what kind of lake is it, seeing you are looking at an air cooled briggs n stratton.. a lot of weeds and cover. how large. is this the only place you plan to fish??? the 5 will be real slow. and they are very noisy. the boat will handle a 15 -20 ok, and use an electric for trolling.

 

[jackhomerbarton]

Re: how much power?

just an open lake, not a lot of weeds, i was looking at the briggs because its cheap. the boat is pretty much a jon boat made of fiberglass and its 14' long. i was just sking what i would need to get it up to decent speed(10-15 mph) and possibly on plane.a 5hp briggs is $700 new and any thing more is in the 1200-1800 range.


what kind of performance could the briggs offer?

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: how much power?

You won't plane that boat out with a 5hp, and a 10hp would be marginal. I had a similar boat with a 15hp and it planed off and moved about 15 - 18 mph. Add a couple of people and you're right at the edge of being able to plane off. The 15hp I had on mine trolled down just fine but I didn't use it for that very much.

You could buy a decent used 15hp for $700.oo if you shop around but they get hard to find if you wait much closer to fall when the duck hunters start buying the smaller used outboards up. You might be able to buy an 18, 20, or 25 of similar vintage for about the same money if you shop carefully.

 

[JB]

Re: how much power?

Don't buy the B&S because it is cheap, Jack.

It's a noisy, cantankerous POJ.

For those bux you can get the king of small outboards. . .a JohnnyRude twin, used of course.

I would suggest a 9.9 or a 15. You might even find a 4 stroke for the price of the B&S.

 

[cougar1985]

Re: how much power?

had a boat close to that one ,exact same length,we had a 20 merc on it and it was just perfect.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: how much power?

jack, look around you can find a good older motor for $700 easy. i have a 1960's 14' aluminum v hull with a '55 15hp rude. the best fishing boat i've ever had. paid 300 for the motor.

 

[jackhomerbarton]

Re: how much power?

ive looked all over Ebay and local classifieds, I live in Murfreesboro, TN. I can't seem to find a used 9.9 or 15 for under 1000 bucks. Am I looking in the right places? any pointers would be greatly appreciated as i am going tomorrow to look at the two boats im possibly going to buy.

12 ft. jon and 14 ft. fiberglass jon

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how much power?

A used 9.9 or 15 is more than worth the $300 difference when compaired to a B&S. Look on Craigs list, check it every hour or so, then be ready to jump when you see what you need. You should be able to find a good motor for $700 or less.

 

[jackhomerbarton]

Re: how much power?

turns out i got a different boat, and a different motor. i got a 12' aluminum modified-V and a 60's ted williams 7.5 electric start. It wouldnt quite plane but it moved all right. However, my grandfather said he would give me a 2000 year 15hp merc. the boat is max hp. 15 so how fast do y'all estimate? and it could get on plane couldn't it (please say yes?)

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: how much power?

I'll say about 9.9 - 25hp

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: how much power?

A 15 will more than likely plane it w/o any problems and you will see speeds in the low to mid 20 mph range. More than enough power and far better than a B & S.

 

[AJ168]

Re: how much power?

What you can also do to give the boat some help getting up on plane is to add a planing fin such as a Doel-fin. I use one on my 18 ft. CC with a 28 hp outboard. It would just barely plane before the fin and now jumps right up and rides nicely at 3/4 throttle. They're pretty cheap too. Only about $30 if I remember right.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: how much power?

My little 6hp Rude' gets my 12 foot V hull aluminum up on plane with just me in it if I give it enough time and put the fuel tank up front (boats rated for a 10hp max) 15hp merc should get you and a fishing buddy up on plane with that boat.

 

[b.gagnon]

Re: how much power?

I have a 2006 Tracker 14' jon, and it is rated for a 10hp...They make a slightly better 14' model that will hold a 15.... So I would have to guess that you are rated from 15-20hp. I would get a 15 they tend to be smaller in size and weight, and should push that boat just fine!

 

[Gone]

Re: how much power?

I had a '88 Jonny-rude 15 on a '50's 12' aluminum V and it was scary fast. That is, don't make any fast moves with the steering while at speed. Prolly went 20-22MPH but would really roll in the turns, hence the warning. I could even pull a tube with it. It was probably rated for a 7.5 horse. The rating plate's adhesive had long gone along with the label. That boat was light, narrow and squirrely!! The power trip went from a 4, to a 7.5 to the 15. I should have stayed with the 7.5.

CD

 

[jackhomerbarton]

Re: how much power?

alright, i tried it out today with three adults on my 12 footer aluminum rowboat. It got up on plane and cruised in the neighborhood of the low 20's. little scary at first but now i love it perfect little boat