Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

[Ducats]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

The boat can handle a 9.9 no problem. <br /><br />My wife and her take on me spending $1299 for a motor--now that's a problem! <br /><br />My spending cap is in the $500-$600 range. But thanks for the suggestion.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

That boat can even handle a 30hp easily ....

 

[Pony]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

Originally posted by theDeeJayCee:<br /> That boat can even handle a 30hp easily ....

I doubt that very much, in fact I completely disagree. Sure some 14fters like the Aeroliners and Sprinboks are designed for 40-50hp, but some are not going to be able to handle more than 15hp. Since this particular 14fter is maxed at 14hp I am going to assume that it has a small beam and shallow sides, in which case a 30hp won't swamp it, but will be close. The hull isnt designed for a lot of hp. My 14 is rated for 25, and could easily handle a 30hp, but thats because of the hull................not the length. Anywhere above half throttle would be squirly with a 30hp on Ducats rig.<br /><br />If it were my boat I would look for a late 70's to mid 80's 9.9 to 15hp Johnny/rude. Should fit into the budget and perform well assuming you properly check it out first.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

The light 14 footers, designed to be car toppers, usually have a max hp rating of 15hp. 14hp is a bit odd. The 12 footers usually have a 10hp rating. I run an 18hp Nissan on my lite 14. Get about 20mph with 2 people and gear. (fishfinder paddle wheel) About 22mph with one person. I use to run this boat with an old early sixties Evinrude sportwin 10hp. It was plenty to put in on plane, but didn't have a speedo on it then. Keep in mind that the old 2 strokes had larger displacement than the newer ones. ie more low-end power. Many mfgs 9.9hp had the same displacement as the 15hp in their line. For example the 9.9hp nissan/tohatsu 2-stroke, required only a plastic timing/carb cam to become a 15hp. Other mfg did similiar, restricting the top hp in the 9.9 model. In those cases, the low end performance would be about the same. As already stated, the best scinero is to test the motor on your boat, but most people will be leary of that. Most of the time, you are lucky if they will run it on muffs or tank for you. Good luck with your search.

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

My boat is 8.5" (2,6 metres)(the pic below my screen name) and I run it with a fully modified 30hp suzuki and it runs as stable as ever ...... but I geuss you are right it is all about the hull and the transom durability.

 

[Ducats]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

P.O.N.Y. has accurately described my situation. The boat is narrower and shallower than other 14 footers. The max I would do is 15 HP. In fact, my father-in-law was over at our house on Sunday and thought that a 9.9 would be the best fit for it.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

Ducats, I was assuming this was a semi v style boat, but after rereading didn't see it mentioned. Is it that type, or possibly a flat bottom? A flat-bottom will plane easier. My comments above, were based on a semi-v, really only a v on the front 1/3rd, and rounded/semi-flat for the rest. <br /><br />Most 9.9 and 15s, within a mfgs line, are the same weight and fit. I would assume you need a short shaft, but you should measure the transom height to be sure.

 

[Ducats]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

The boat is a semi-V. It has a 15" transom and would need a short shaft motor. <br /><br />In terms of my father-in-law's comments, his recommendation on the 9.9 over the 15 was that it would provide more control and better handling given the narrowness and shallowness of the boat. To what extent that may or may not be the case, I don't know. <br /><br />In the end, I'll buy the 9.9 or 15 that is in the best condition in my price range.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

I'll buy the 9.9 or 15 that is in the best condition in my price range.

Agree 100%

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

More control with a 9.9? I can't see how. The 15 is the same darn motor, just a little faster and stronger. Think of a 9.9 as a detuned 15. Heck if you want to drive slower, just don't give full twist on the throttle! Having tried both on a 12 ft fiberglass and two different 14 ft aluminum boats, the 15 is a dream for this type of a set up.

 

[Ducats]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

I saw in the newspaper tonight that one of my neighbors is having a garage sale Friday. One of the items mentioned in the ad was an 18HP Evinrude. I don't have any other details on the motor, but I'm sure I can look at it and talk to him beforehand about that.<br /><br />Before I'd even talk to him, though, is this something for me to even be considering given the max 14HP rating on my boat? Or should I be limiting my searches to the 15 HP and under motors?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

maybe he will let you try it before friday.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

I don't know any particulars on the Evinrude 18, but 18hp in general, go to a different power-head (increased cu in) over the 9.9-15hp models. Sometimes, the lower unit is larger, as well. This will add some weight, maybe 10-15lbs over the smaller model. <br /><br />Even though I run an 18hp on a lite 14'er (seven years), with a max rating of 15hp, I can't recommend someone else to do so. That is a personel choice, you have to make. If you post some pictures of the boat, I will tell you if the construction is similiar to mine, or not. For the life of me, I still don't get the 14hp rating. They had to deliberatly go to this, and effectively make it a 10hp rating, based on common engine models. What are the other capacities for your boat? For comparisons, mine are: 4 person or 495lbs, 700lbs persons, motor, and gear.<br /><br />An 18 may not idle and troll as smooth as a 9.9-15hp, but on the plus side, being a neighbor, you will probably get the "true" story of the engines history. Also, being a neighbor, higher chance of letting you try before buying.

 

[artburr]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

I always assumed that if you had an accident and your motor had a hp rating greater than that of the boat, that you could be in deep doo doo. Am I right or wrong?

 

[artburr]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

Hey, I just found a website that appears to provide light on the subject: http://www.boats.com/boat-articles/Safety-144/Capacity+and+Horsepowe <br /><br />You might want to check with you insurance agent, too.

 

[artburr]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

Well, that kind of screwed up. The artical from boats.com is as follows:<br /><br />Capacity and Horsepower Defined<br />The real meaning of two of the most frequently hyped words in boating<br /><br />06/25/2000<br />by Chris Caswell<br /><br />All inboard and outboard boats under 20 feet in length must have a maximum capacity, listed in both persons and pounds, stamped or printed on a clearly visible plaque. In addition, there must be a maximum horsepower shown for the engine on outboard boats. But there are likely to hold several surprises for boat owners and buyers.<br /><br />Most boaters (myself included) believed that a maximum capacity, such as " Four Persons or 530 pounds", is the point beyond which a boat is likely to become unstable or will capsize. It seems obvious that the maximum horsepower rating is to keep us from speeding out of control with an oversized engine and, since these ratings are mandated by the U.S. Coast Guard, it's a logical assumption that these capacities are the result of their testing.<br /><br />Wrong on all counts.<br /><br />First, the maximum capacity is actually the number of people (or their total weight) that the boat will safely support if it is swamped.<br /><br />Second, the horsepower rating has nothing to do with speed. "Horsepower has only to do with weight," says Philip Cappel of the Coast Guard. "We're not so much concerned about the speed but that the boat will float upright if swamped so that people can hold on to it until rescued. That's the whole reason for the flotation standard and why we say how many people can be on board. Horsepower only has to do with engine weight. If you put too big an engine on a boat, you throw the flotation off."<br /><br />Last, the manufacturers set the Coast Guard capacity maximum, which they reach using an accepted formula, and they also determine the horsepower since they know how much engine weight will still allow their boat to float level.<br /><br />It should be noted that the NMMA is much tougher on calculating weight maximums, as well as increasing the size of boats requiring flotation from the Federal standard of 20 feet up to 26 feet. The NMMA also has a test where the driver must crank the wheel 180 degrees in a split second. If the boat is not capable of such a turn through 90 degrees at full throttle without the driver losing control, then the NMMA requires a "Maneuvering Speed" placard be posted warning that sudden turns may cause a loss of control above a certain speed.<br /><br />Chris Caswell Copyright © 2001 All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast or redistributed.

 

[John_S]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

Art, I have seen arguements both ways on the forum. Best to be discussed with your insurance company. If you provided the correct info to the insurance company, and they created a policy, I would expect it would be covered. Many people don't insure small boats, such as these. The 14'er I am discussing here is only covered under my car policy for towing and home owners or camp policies, for theft/fire, etc. Other canoes, kayaks, and rowboats, we have, don't have specific policies, either. My 20'er does have its own policy. Its worth a call to the insurance company, even if Ducats is not planning to insure it on its own policy.<br /><br />Update: Art, saw your additional posts after mine. Great Info.

 

[Ducats]

Re: Motor for 14' Aluminum Boat

Originally posted by John_S:<br /> For the life of me, I still don't get the 14hp rating. They had to deliberatly go to this, and effectively make it a 10hp rating, based on common engine models. What are the other capacities for your boat? For comparisons, mine are: 4 person or 495lbs, 700lbs persons, motor, and gear.

The other capacities for my boat are 3 persons/450 lbs or 650 lbs. persons, motor, and gear.<br /><br />My neighbor isn't home tonight so I haven't been able to get a look at the motor. I'm going to try and catch him tomorrow after work.<br /><br />I really appreciate all of the help I've gotten here on the forum. I'm realizing how much I didn't know, but I am learning a lot.