PLS help me pick motor

[lewix]

Thank you for helping, I'm sorry this is long because I have many questions and concerns.<br /><br />Hello I bought an aluminum fishing boat. I don't know what it is called, can you help with what type it might be named? Johnboat? I have no idea on names. It is probably late 50s or early 60s according to guy I bought it from. It is about 16'? long is Vee'd in the front but the back part is flat on bottom. It is just a hull... there is no floor or anything like that. It's basically a washtub. It had a motor on it that you pull-start, but its old and doesn't work.<br /><br />I want to buy a new motor for it that will get around a small lake at a decent speed, but will also idle down to troll for fishing. Probably for 3-5 hour trips. It will eventually seat three people once I figure out how to rig seats so I need something to push roughly 1,000+ pounds? <br /><br />I plan on getting a trolling motor as well and was considering maybe a trolling motor only boat.<br /><br />Is that a dumb idea? They seem to be powerful and I was thinking that I could get 5 yellow-top optima batteries and cruise for awhile? I have no idea as I have no boat experience. <br /><br />Also I was thinking that I would need the weight of a trolling motor and batteries in the front of the boat if I was to go out on it by myself. I weigh 250 add that to an 80-100 lb motor on the back and I am afraid it would flip. <br /><br /><br />Would it be better to spend $750 on a trolling motor and 4-5 batteries or use that towards a more powerful gas motor?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

First -- look at magazines to determine what type of boat you have. We need a little more to go on than what you describe (at least I do). What horsepower was the motor that was on the boat? The serial number and model number will help determine that. Sometimes the horsepower is a decal on the cover. How wide is this boat? If you plan to fish larger lakes, you will not want just an electric trolling motor. It will take you forever to get where you want to go. I'm guessing, but I'd say a 25 HP short shaft motor is what you need. If buying new, a four stroke is probably in order. If buying used, there should be lots of 25 - 30 HP two-strokes that will work for fewer dollars. That boat could use a 30 - 35# thrust trolling motor which will run all day on a single large deep cycle battery. All said, this setup would be faster, more convenient, and more fun that an electric only. Since this boat is older, if its a very narrow rig, you will want a much smaller motor to keep from getting into trouble.

 

[lewix]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

ok sounds good, now I have a starting point. <br /><br />a 25 hp came off of the boat. It was a HUGE looking motor for this boat. I actually have two motors of the same type that came with the boat and they could probably run if I was a mechanic, but Im not... so they won't. Of course it was old so I just figured the older motors were bigger. Is there any way for me to tell roughly how fast I could go with say a 15hp vs a 20 vs a 25? new motor of course. <br /><br />I know it wouldn't be exact, but I will try to get some pictures up for a guestimate of speed.<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[Solittle]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

For ripping around a small lake you don't need to go anywhere near the speed of light. With a small motor - say 6 hp - you will be limited to what is called hull speed - that means pushing the water aside as you move through it. A larger engine - say a 20 hp - will get you up on what is called plane - that is where you are riding on the top of the water rater than pushing it aside. <br /><br />A 15 hp should get you and a friend on plane but might not have enough guts to get on plane with three aboard. I would think a 20 hp would do quite nicely for a small lake. Yes you can go larger - up to the max that the boat manufacturer recommends. Also at some point as you go up in hp you need to think about weight. Not only for lifting on & off the boat but you don't want to overload the boat. For what it is worth 2 cycles weigh less than 4 cycles of the same hp.<br /><br />Humor us and tell us about the two engines that you have - make/hp/condition. Since you are not a do-it-yourself you still have an option of having a marine mechanic get one or both back in service.

 

[Richard Petersen]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

I had a OLD Johnson 30 or 35 hp .The gigantic white one with a gold ring on top. I could not lift it on or off alone. It weighed more than most people. Maybe a newer motor would be better? Did it eat gas??? Good old days. I just did not know any better.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

Don't give up on those old motors. If you have a couple of them, perhaps parts from one can be used on the other to get one of them running. They run great, have good power, and while not the most economical, are easy to keep running. Check with your "motor head" buddies. Maybe one of them can get one of them running. Otherwise -- send them to me!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

send me your email address i'll send you pictures of my 63 lone star, 55 15hp evinrude, runs 25-30 with 2 200lb people plus gear. motor wieghs approx 90lb. email me at tashasdaddy@comcast.net

 

[steelespike]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

Look on the inside of the transom for a rating plate.This should tell you max horsepower and max weight you can carry.If the seats have been removed the hull will be weakoned until you can replace them.Try to find pictures of similar boats to get an idea how to replace the seats.<br />The seats generally add strength to the sides and bottom as well as helping the hull resist twisting.<br /> Your trolling motor idea is ok for a small lake or big pond.Additional batteries can only be used to add range not speed.Typical speed would be about 4 mph. depending on load and boat design.About as fast as you would want to row for an extended time.I have a 3 hp electric trolling motor that will run 2 to 4 hrs.<br />at full bore on a Trojan 30 xhs 130 amphour battery.These Trojans are used in electric cars the absolutely most distructive application bar none.Presently they cost about $130.A trolling motor with a maximizer feature will help get the most out of a battery.Check the Minnkota site for more info.Also the trojan site for help understanding deep cycle battery technology.

 

[imported_bjs]

Re: PLS help me pick motor

harbor freight sales a small motor for $600.might work perfect for small boat. i think they have a wbsite.