johnson 4 for a john boat?

[johnson-4]

Will a New Johnson 4 horse be enough power to putt around on a 12' john boat.

 

[JB]

Re: johnson 4 for a john boat?

It will putt you around just fine. Don't expect it to plane your jon.<br /><br />Happy boating.<br />JB

 

[Sea Strider]

Re: johnson 4 for a john boat?

I dunno ... I have a Johnson 4 and it gets my Gheenoe 15'6" Highsider up on plane. But then, that's pretty much a stable-design square stern canoe craft. Maybe a jon boat hull is harder to get up on plane. All I know is I can haul with that little 4 ...<br /><br />Sea Strider

 

[mbb]

Re: johnson 4 for a john boat?

A rule of thumb in flat bottom boat design is that it takes 1 hp to plane every 50 lbs of wt. A 12ft jon should be about 150 lbs, throw in a 200 lb person, and 60 lb motor, and you would need 8 hp to plane well, this is coincidentally what a 12' jon is rated for. <br /><br />But.. my old 6 hp johnson will plane me (it scoots too) in a light (120 lb) 12' bateau, even with a trolling motor and battery. But it wont do it in a 14'.

 

[duckman]

Re: johnson 4 for a john boat?

I have a 75 evinrude 4 that powers my 14 aluminum john. I use the 4 for duck hunting.. it's small and light... but it moves 3 men a lab and about 75 decoys.. and guns and shells etc..etc.. no problem... I call it 4WD for my boat... no way you are going to plane with it.... sorry...