Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

[TTipsword]

I have an all welded, mod Vbow- jon boat that I was powering with a 4 stroke Honda 99.. I gave my dad the 99. due it being readily apparent that it wasnt' big enough. The boat is a short transom 15(") and is rated to 25 HP. All the 25s' are pretty heavy so Im' leaning towards a Nissan 18 120( lbs vs. 160lbs). I know the adage - go with 100% rated power - but in this case I think the lighter 18 Nissan makes more sense on a jon. I would appreciate hearing the opinions of those with experience with jon boats and small outboards.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

i have a 14' with a 15hp, one person is fine, but with 2 &3 wish it was a 25.

 

[TTipsword]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

i have a 14' with a 15hp, one person is fine, but with 2 &3 wish it was a 25.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

the more power the better. Just like Tasha said, a 15 will be fine for 1 person but what if you happen to bring some of your friends, and all of their gear as well as you and your gear. weight adds up real quick and you might find it difficult to even get the boat to plae with anything less than a 20. Id look for a late model(1999-2005 2 stroke) 25 from any manufacturer. you wont regret it...

 

[steelespike]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

definately go with the 25.Plenty of power for a load yet if you throttle back with light loads you can get near the same mileage as the 18 and the engine will be loafing.
I have a 88 50 Evinrude on a bare bones 18ft utility.I very seldom open it up usually run 3/4 or less.20 to 25 mph.
A tank of gas lasts forever.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

Why are you worried about weight? If you leave the engine on the boat all the time forget it. If you haul it around by hand then I understand your concern.

Keep in mind that all engines need a power head, mid section and lower unit. These items are quite similar between a 15hp and 25 hp, hence weigh about the same. Therefore your best power-weight ratio is the largest engine you can use per BIA cert.

Additionally, as Steel said, if you have a larger engine and let it loaf your fuel economy is significantly better.......and with today's gas prices, it speaks for it'self.

My 2c,

Mark

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

I've got a 58 18 hp Johnson on a 1954 14-foot tinny V-hull. Plenty fast, fuel efficient and more power than I need...with one or three in the boat.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

mines a 55' 15hp rude on the 1960 tinny v hull.

 

[ratracer]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

Go with a 25HP, If weight is a concern then look for a 2-stroke, for example the Yamaha weighs about 105 lbs.

I think you'd find the cost of a Yamaha 25HP 2 stroke to be pretty close to that of the 18HP Tohatsu as well.

d

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Motor selection for a 15 ft welded jon boat

yep ... go with a 25hp yamaha ... they are good engines and you will have alot of fun ...