New boater here, could use some basic info

[Mr. Asa]

Evening, folks.
Not sure if I have this in the correct forum, but I did not really see a spot to post it, so here goes.
As a birthday present for me, my dad found a boat from a neighbor, fairly solid 12' aluminum hull. I plan to strip and paint it, then get her on the water and enjoy some light fishing.

One of the main things I know I will need, though, is a motor.
Unfortunately, I have no knowledge of what I need with a motor. The previous owner said that he had an 8HP and a 15HP on there, and both of them worked very well, so I'm thinking that I need to look at a range within there.
I live in the Tampa area, and my family has property and friends out at Merritt Island, so I'll be boating out in the various rivers and bays around here and on the Indian and Banana river over at Merritt Island.

I was an automotive mechanic (currently a Mech Engineering student), so I can repair a poorly running motor, but I need to know which engines are worth anything. So, which manufacturers should I look at? Which should I stay away from?


I know there is a fair amount of other things I'll need to figure out, but I'm hoping to find a boating course at college that will help me fill in the outlines that I have.

 

[NYBo]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

It looks like you're doing just fine without a motor!:lol:

Your boat is 12' and rather narrow of beam, so I would guess the maximum horsepower rating would be around 7.5. Measure the height of the transom to determine what length motor shaft to get. It's probably around 15", but measure to be sure.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

I think if you can get your RPM's up a little you might get a skiier up...

Welcome to iboats, with that entrance I think you are going to be a hit around here!

 

[Mr. Asa]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

:lol: I'm pretty sure I don't want to get out on Tampa Bay with a pair of oars, I might not be able to get back very easily

Saw a 7.5HP Mercury outboard on Craigslist actually, $350, it has probably sold already though.

Is there any way to determine what it is so I can look up specs and such?
I do know that the title says that it's a 1967 (which was funny as neither my father or I knew that till after it was bought, and my first car was a '67 Mustang), but there was nothing else identifying on the title.

 

[PerfectCast]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

I had seen someone with a really old 6hp 2 cycle motor from 1940's that still ran fine. I don't know what the manufacturer was... Johnson maybe? Anyway, I feel like those small motors are pretty reliable and 2 cycle engines don't seem as complicated as 4 (especially if its air cooled).

 

[Mr. Asa]

Also, yes I measured the transom and it's right at 15.5"

 

[Mr. Asa]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

I had seen someone with a really old 6hp 2 cycle motor from 1940's that still ran fine. I don't know what the manufacturer was... Johnson maybe? Anyway, I feel like those small motors are pretty reliable and 2 cycle engines don't seem as complicated as 4 (especially if its air cooled).

I do have a one lung motor that my grandfather ran on his boat, but from what dad remembers grandpop spent more time fighting to get it running right than he did boating with it. I might get that running and use it in the rivers around grandpop's house, but it will be a seldom thing.
Fun thing about that is that it's an impeller system on it, not a propeller, I think the engine on it was a Tecumseh


I have a somewhat irrational irritation towards 2-stroke engines. Probably comes from working on too many Detroit Diesels and bad weed-eaters. Are there many choices for 4-strokes in such a small engine size?

 

[Mr. Asa]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

So, does anyone have a couple good recommendations for which motors I should be on the lookout for, or what to stay away from?

 

[joelybob]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Most outboards are pretty good. just make sure you hear it run and everything checks out. and never take anybodys word for it. and when they say its been a while since it ran last. its been about 3 or 4 years

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

You really don't need a boat course all of us on here could provide you all that you will need. Please, Please, Please, just stay within buoy markers and do not do not go outside them within the no wake area! I hate it, I work on a military base in Seal Beach and it just despises me when people do that, they think they own the channel leading out and I want to smack them upside the head. WTF!

 

[SWD]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Our old 12ft Cadorette had a 9.9hp and it flew like the wind.

 

[pckeen]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Outboards - Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson, - they all have their fans and their detractors. All are well known brands and sold in large numbers.

I don't know what your budget is, but take a look at some of the websites selling motors - iboats, Small Used Outboard Motors For Sale - Mercury Outboards Johnson, ebay, and then go from there. A 12 foot boat can be pushed along with anything from a 4hp to a 9.9 hp motor (9.9 might be a bit large for yours). The use on a motor is measured in hours, but not all motors have an hour meter on them. Unless you are mechanically minded, avoid a motor that has been used very heavily, and avoid a motor that has sat for years.

 

[NYBo]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

I know there is a fair amount of other things I'll need to figure out, but I'm hoping to find a boating course at college that will help me fill in the outlines that I have.

A boating safety course is a good idea. Even better would be a full seamanship course.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

A boating safety course is a good idea. Even better would be a full seamanship course.

Yes it's typically encouraged however not always required depending on your state laws. It goes without saying and I didn't mean don't take one just that you don't need to if you can't find the time right away.

Lots of good info will come about from those classes, so yes it's a good idea.

The good part is you started out small instead of going large then having no clue about boating.

Great score looking forward to seeing the splash!

 

[Mr. Asa]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Most outboards are pretty good. just make sure you hear it run and everything checks out. and never take anybodys word for it. and when they say its been a while since it ran last. its been about 3 or 4 years

Yeah, I figured whatever engine I'd look at, if they don't let me take the cover off and poke and prod at it, I'll just leave

Outboards - Yamaha, Suzuki, Mercury, Evinrude, Johnson, - they all have their fans and their detractors. All are well known brands and sold in large numbers.

That's roughly what I was thinking, but it's good to hear that I should be relatively safe so long as I go with a known brand. I assume that every manufacturer has one or two lemons in their lineup, so I'll definitely check with the forum if I can before going to buy whatever I find.

As for budget... I'm not entirely sure. Maybe $500? It's a little up in the air right now. Think I could find a decent 4-stroke for that, or do the 4-strokes go for a higher price?

A boating safety course is a good idea. Even better would be a full seamanship course.

I would love to take as comprehensive a course as I can, but I'll be just starting my Junior year for Mechanical Engineering in the fall, so time is going to be at a bit of a premium. I'll have to figure out how busy I am actually going to be before I can do much of anything.

The good part is you started out small instead of going large then having no clue about boating.

Great score looking forward to seeing the splash!

I pretty much had to start small, HOA doesn't allow a boat on a trailer anywhere where it can be seen, and the garage is currently taken up by my '67 Mustang and tools. I still haven't completely worked out where I'm going to store the boat.

As for the splash...

Think if I put some of my pepper plants in the boat I could convince the HOA it's a floating planter?

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

So, does anyone have a couple good recommendations for which motors I should be on the lookout for, or what to stay away from?

Yep. My 12' Aluminum V Hull came with a 1957 Johnson CD-15 5.5HP. It runs tip top and they are solid, sought after motors. It gets the boat moving very well and always starts on the first or second pull. Many times you can find them from people who don't know any better selling them cheap because they have a pump gas tank that goes bad. For $20 you can get a pulse fuel pump and if you know how to use a screw driver, silicone (i actually used jb weld) and hose clamps you can repair it and use any tank in about fifteen minutes. I actually reused the tank it came with.

I have launched the boat a few times this summer and every single time at least one old timer has come over and offered to buy the engine. One offered me $250 and I kept his phone number, he claims he will buy it any time working or not. Others have offered in the 200-225 range.

 

[ThrottleBack]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Best picture ever.

Yeah, I figured whatever engine I'd look at, if they don't let me take the cover off and poke and prod at it, I'll just leave

That's roughly what I was thinking, but it's good to hear that I should be relatively safe so long as I go with a known brand. I assume that every manufacturer has one or two lemons in their lineup, so I'll definitely check with the forum if I can before going to buy whatever I find.

As for budget... I'm not entirely sure. Maybe $500? It's a little up in the air right now. Think I could find a decent 4-stroke for that, or do the 4-strokes go for a higher price?

I would love to take as comprehensive a course as I can, but I'll be just starting my Junior year for Mechanical Engineering in the fall, so time is going to be at a bit of a premium. I'll have to figure out how busy I am actually going to be before I can do much of anything.

I pretty much had to start small, HOA doesn't allow a boat on a trailer anywhere where it can be seen, and the garage is currently taken up by my '67 Mustang and tools. I still haven't completely worked out where I'm going to store the boat.

As for the splash...

Think if I put some of my pepper plants in the boat I could convince the HOA it's a floating planter?

 

[Mr. Asa]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Every day, something else to find out.

So, when I took the above picture, it was raining lightly, but I noticed a little bit of water in the bottom. Looked to be too much for the rain and anything I tracked in, so I put it back in the pool today.
In about 40 minutes, it went from:
http://i.imgur.com/lMzefmX.jpg
to this:
http://i.imgur.com/jSlWF3g.jpg

Very obviously coming from the rivets. On the outside of the boat right there is a seam of aluminum (I assume to protect the bow from branches and whatnot), and it looks like there is no caulking there. Could it be that, or could there be another cause there?

 

[colbyt]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Johnson and Evinrude have the best availability of parts at competitive prices.

I would not venture very far into the bay with that boat. IMO a 5- 7.5 is your best choice.

You should rely on others for the best way to seal the rivets as I have no personal experience to share. There is drill out and replace if just a few, gluvit or 5200 for larger area, the most interesting to me is some of the epoxy systems. Do some research before you select one.

 

[pckeen]

Re: New boater here, could use some basic info

Hi,

Those leaks don't look too bad. I would rebuck those rivets. Basically, you need a riveting gun and a steel plate (sledgehammer will do). You place the steel plate on the inside of the boat where the rivet is, and you then hit the other side with the riveting gun (a ball peen hammer will do in a pinch). That will re-compress the rivet, sealing the leak. Then you could gluvit afterwards if there is still a leak. Do a google search for rebucking rivets