Smallest hp motor?

[mmilla0502]

Hey guys, I have an old ski and bass boat that came with an old johnson 115 when i bought it. The boat itself is only rated for 90hp max and the weight of the boat itself is 700 lbs. I want to buy a new outboard but am not looking to pay thousands for it. My question is what is the smallest hp motor I can use for that weight? I only fish with the boat and never take it on high speed or ski at all. I would guess I wouldnt need to go any faster than 10 or 15 mph?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

You can go as small as you wish, but a 70hp would be the smallest that I'd go.

 

[mmilla0502]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

As small as I wish? So if I put a 10hp motor on it it would push the boat? And do the small motors have the ability to hook up to steering?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

you can push a 28' pontoon boat with a 10hp. it wont take much to push your boat. however depending on the hull, the lowest I would recommend would be 40. however I wouldnt want to go that low if the hull is rated for 90. what is wrong with the 115 thats on the boat?

 

[mmilla0502]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

It runs but im not sure for how much longer its gonna last. I guess taking it to get looked at would still be cheaper than buying a new one.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

what makes you think it wont last?

start with a compression test, and some general maintenance. we have 60 year old outboards in the family that run extremely well with just a touch of maintenance.

 

[mmilla0502]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

Wow 60 years old? This is my first boat and motor so I had no idea. Im gonna just take it to get tuned up and looked at and see how it runs after that. Thanks for the info.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

how many hours does the boat have? most outboards will last over 4000 hours with proper maintenance. the average boater boats about 20 hours per year. 50 hours is considered a good season. (yes, some of us boat about 100 hours per year or more, but we are the exceptions)

 

[mmilla0502]

Re: Smallest hp motor?

I do not have an hour meter installed.