Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

[bassin'frog]

Is a 25HP Evinrude too fast or too heavy for my boat? I have an aluminum 14' flat hull jon boat and can get this motor for $100 plus shipping. The boat does not have anything on it that says what the max motor speed or weight is. Thank you for your help.
Bob

 

[emoney]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

I would Google the same brand/size/type boat and find the CG sticker. There's plenty of 14' boats that have much bigger than a 25hp on them, but there's also some that don't. Being a 14'-er, I'd imagine it would handle a 25hp. Why not post a picture of the boat, if nothing else, and someone that has or had a similar one will come buy and confirm it. Make sure to get a shot of the transom. Is it reinforced with wood or anything?

 

[bassin'frog]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

It is an aluminum flat hull Jon Boat. At widest point it is 54", at transom it is 50". Transom is reinforced with one piece of 1" x 12" wood and one piece of 1" x 6" wood. Reinforcement was done within the last 4 months. Right now, the only thing holding me back from buying this motor is that I can't tell if it's a long-shaft from the pics. I'm waiting on a response from the seller. If it's a short-shaft, I'm even considering still buying it and modifying the transom or getting the parts to convert to long-shaft. I just think it's a steal at $100 plus shipping.

 

[wifisher]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

jonboats are usually not rated that high. Yours may be, but the typical 14' jonboat is rated for 10-15hp from what I have seen. Do you know the make/model or have any other info about the boat? Or as emoney suggested, pics.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

You may want to do some measuring. Most Jon boats take a short shaft motor. Posting some pictures would sure help.

 

[larryg]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

i have a 14 ft and have a 20 on it and it is ok.ive seen guys around here in fl with 60s on them and they dnt seem to have problems.

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Id buy it anyway. I think you could easily sell it for $250 if it didnt work. If you dont want it PM me and i will buy it.

 

[bassin'frog]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Ok guys, attached are some pics of my boat. When I uncovered it the bow lifted up about 4-6 inches indicating it is stern heavy. I have a Minn Kota trolling motor, 5.5 Evinrude, and the battery in the stern. Maybe a 25Hp will be too heavy for it, even if I move the battery forward.

 

[clemsonfor]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Buy the 25 if it runs and is not a parts motor thats a steal. Shipping has to be at least $50 right! There is a calculation from the USCG i think were you take the length and width and divide by something to get the HP rating i think (learned it in HS in my boating license class) about 13 yrs ago! You will never know how heavy it is untill you put it on and in the water.

Also all Jon boats are rear heavy the fronts weight nothing. Get a longer fuel line and put gas in front put batter up there and call it good.

 

[bassin'frog]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

CLEMSONFOR: appreciate the response. Fuel tank is already up front. So the only other that can go up there is the battery... Thanks again!!!!!

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

By the looks of your boat 25hp is too much but I would buy it anyways and give it a shot. I will be surprised if the Seller goes through with the deal and ships it. The hassle to ship it is not even worth the $100 price tag.

 

[Big flop]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

If its light in the bow on the trailer, can
you move your axel back to add bow
weight? Also will make it tow better?

 

[F_R]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Bob, you saw my 14' Alumacraft jon. It does just fine with a 7.5hp, was fast with a 12. I would not put a 25 on it. Not because of the weight, but because of the horsepower. Not safe.

 

[bassin'frog]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Got ya Frank, thanks much, appreciate it. It's one of those things where you see a steal and don't want to pass it up...but think I will. Think I'll work on getting my Sportwin 10Hp rebuilt and on the boat. Thanks again!

 

[Steve A W]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Bassinfrog
Thats a good lookin Evinrude on there.
It appears to be a short shaft.
I'd bet a 10hp will move Your boat pretty good.
Steve A W

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Pretty nice lookin' 5.5 you got on it. Did you restore that? Myself, I wouldn't run anything bigger than a 15 on that. What year 25 is it? If it's the '55 model, then that's way too much weight. The '69 to '76 vintage would be okay, weightwise, as long as there is not a starter on it and was a tiller handle model only, but it would be a bit more power than the transome could handle. "77 and later 25's are bigger with a 31.8 cube top end and they're as heavy as the '55 classics.

 

[lindy46]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

From the looks of that 5.5hp sitting on your boat, you sure don't need a long shaft motor.

 

[bassin'frog]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Thanks for all the comments. I'm a little confused, it appears that my '59 5.5 Fisherman is a short-shaft... How do you tell if a motor is short or long shaft? Also, took it out on the lake today for its maiden voyage... after some minor adjustments to the low speed setting it purred like a kitten! Awesome! It's just a little too slow for my boat. I have a 10Hp Johnson I'm rebuilding and think that one will work just fine for me. I plan on selling the 5.5 once the 10Hp is up and running. I didn't rebuile the 5.5, but replaced all ignition parts, impeller, impeller housing, cleaned up the pistons, replaced piston rings, cleaned up exhaust, replaced upper driveshaft seals and washers, rebuilt carb, replaced some gaskets and seals. If anyone is interested in the 5.5 let me know and we'll see what we can work out.

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

Shoot, that motor looks like it just came off the show room floor. You shouldn't have any trouble selling it, once you get your 10 running.

I would measure the transom in the very center of the boat, from the top, to the keel. I seem to recall, that a short shaft transom is around 18" give or take a couple. I would have to measure one of mine, to know for sure. Short shaft is typical for jon boats anyhow, especially the style you have. If you see a long shaft motor, you'll know it, if you see a 5" extension between the lower unit and the mid section.

 

[emoney]

Re: Is a 25HP too big for my boat?

I concur, but would still buy the 25hp if it's that cheap just to resell it to fund other toys. (or better yet, a bigger boat, lol). Yours is probably tipping because that trailer is a tad too short for the boat. The axle is pretty far back there, but it won't hurt anything. Just know not to stand on the transom when it's unhooked or be ready for a little "surfing".