motor sizing for a 15ft FG boat

[txbandit44]

I got this old 1972 Doggett it was a stick steer and was converted to a standard helm. It had a 1972 65hp Johnson on the back when i got it and I had to replace it with a 78 75hp Evinrude. The problem I have is the boat is rates for 85hp. But it seems that the weight of the motor on the back is just to much. I got a new/old Ranger for fishing and was going to make this a duck hunting / river beater boat. Would a 1988 Johnson 28hp spl be a good canidate for this boat or should I look for somehting allittle beafier?

 

[5150abf]

Re: motor sizing for a 15ft FG boat

Is the hull dry?

A 75 doesn't weight that much and shouldn't weigh down the back of the boat too much.

I have a 16'er with a 50 and a livewell in the back and me and my fishing buddy can both stand clear at the back of the boat and still have lots of freeboard left, makes me think there is another problem.

 

[txbandit44]

Re: motor sizing for a 15ft FG boat

Yes it is dry. I just redid the floor and stringers. The motor weighs 225# when you add that to batteries fuel and 400+ pounds of people. The stern just doesnt seem to sit right to me. Plus the fact that this was a boat designed to have the driver in front i think that a lighter motor would help with the draft of th boat as well. I was jst wondering if that 28hp motor would have the power to load and unload on the trailer in the wind and runnaround the shoreline and coves. I found that it is a 2 cyl motor and not a single which is a plus in my book. Just feeling out the board and looking for opinions. I see alot of pontoons with these small motors on them and they seem to do fine.

 

[5150abf]

Re: motor sizing for a 15ft FG boat

Sure, a 28 should do fine, you won't set any speed records with it but it should push the boat pretty good.