What are my options?

[laserbrn]

I bought a 14' aluminum boat and the transom plate with the info on the boat and the motor size for the transom are completely worn off. It currently has an 8hp and it's just too slow. I have limited time and the fishin' hole sorta speak is about a 35 minute run from the launch ramp in this boat. I can really only fit about a 4 hour fishing window in 3-4 times per week. If I could cut that down to a more reasonable 10-15 minutes it would make my fishing a whole lot more enjoyable.

The only numbers that I can see on the transom are stacked one of top of the other and appear to say 15, 25, 365.

I am assuming that either the 15 or 25 is the hp rating for the transom and 365 must be the maximum weight it should carry for people and gear combined (although this seems a bit low for a 14' boat).

This boat HAS to be from the 50's - 60's era and I'm assuming they didn't have four stroke engines then.

I'm a bit scared to buy too much motor and crack the transom. Last thing I need to do is figure out how to replace the transom on this thing straight away.

The question I have is....What would you do?

My initial thinking is that if I can find an older 2 stroke 25hp it would probably be okay or a 4 stroke 15hp. I'm thinking that when they rated this transom for 25hp it was for a 2 stroke and it would have been significantly lighter. I can't believe that these transoms can hold the weight of the motor when it's being towed and it's tipped up. Seems like that would put a lot of stress if the motor weighed anything.

And my final question...Are there things that I can do to strengthen the transom in place? I don't want to overpower the transom, I just want it to be good and strong and not feel I have to worry about it too much.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What are my options?

If it's all helpful....this one (14') http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/DSCF2577.jpg is rated for 15. It's a fairly narrow and shallow hull. I definitely wouldn't want any larger than a 15 on it. My uncle has a similar 14' that's wider and deeper and is rated my higher.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: What are my options?

Thanks, mines a bit wider, and maybe a little bit deeper. Must be pretty fun with a 15 on it.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: What are my options?

Here's a thread on hp rating that may be helpful...
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=191283

 

[laserbrn]

Re: What are my options?

Ah, thank you. Most useful. Time to start measuring.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What are my options?

Must be pretty fun with a 15 on it.

We run it with a 4 so not much fun.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What are my options?

Generally a 14' john boat is at its safest and most efficient with 9.9 to 20 horses pushing it. Anything larger than a 20 will likely exceed the manufacturer's rating and will be unsafe and, as you suspect, unkind to your transom. There are deep and wide fourteen footers designed to run with a 25, but given the age of yours it's not likely one of them. If you have a 14x18x36 (18" deep and 36" wide), then you'll be happy with a 15-20 horse. With regard to the transom, if it's already in good condition with corner bracing I wouldn't touch it. You know what they say. If it ain't broke...........

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What are my options?

we have a 14' Lowe wide body and used to have a 25 on it; it was very fast and too fast for inexperienced and young male operators. Now we have a 15 on it and that's a good size.

So if it's just you, look for a 20-25.

You can reinforce and brace transoms. But if a 25 hurt your transom, you needed to fix it; it wouldn't be safe for a 15. And I'd stick wioth a 2 stroke--because I like them.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: What are my options?

Alright, well I'll pick up a 25 and I think I'll keep the 8. If the 25 doesn't work out, I'll sell'em all and get a 15. Cover all my bases here.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What are my options?

There is your problem, if the 25 doesn't work out it will be on the bottom of the river with your boat, you will know it isn't working when the engine rips off the back of the boat at full throttle and you get wet or chopped to peices by the engine.

I would stay with a 15 and be sure it will hold it, you are almost doubling the power onit now and it will be way faster and should still do what you want it to .

And rebuild the transom before you put a bigger motor on it then at least you know it is as good as it can be.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: What are my options?

Really? You think a 15hp would be safe, but a 25hp would rip through the transom and it would fly apart? I guess I just don't see that happening. Do you have any threads, videos, or experience from people who've had an outboard engine fly through the boat and either sink it or hurt someone? I thought maybe a crack from the stress would form, but I just don't see how as stated previously that 15hp is safe, but 25hp is deadly. If it completely fails with a 25hp motor, it would've failed with a 15.

The transom seems strong as hell and well put together. I'm going to go ahead and measure the boat and go based on the Coast Guard specifications. Thanks for all of the info, at least I can use the specifications to determine what the Coast Guard would put on a transom plate and that's a good start.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What are my options?

If you go with a 25 you'll most likely be overpowering your john. Will anything catastrophic happen? Probably not, but why risk it? At the least you will be putting additional stress on your transom, and a 15 horse 2 stroke can be had cheaper than a comparable 25. In your esimation that boat is at least fifty years old. Can't imagine they built john boats any beefier back then than they do now. If anything, I'd be inclined to think the opposite. You're a big boy of course and can do what you want, but think it through. In my estimation the risk is disproportionately greater than the potential reward. Also, just so you know, 5150 is the head metal man at Bennington pontoons and is by no means an alarmist. Not trying to be preachy. I'd just rather light a candle than curse your darkness. Good luck and tight lines whatever you decide.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: What are my options?

Oh, I hope I didn't give the impression that I didn't appreciate the advice. I will certainly take it into consideration and appreciate any and all input. I also wasn't doubting 5150's knowledge, I was just looking for pictures, videos, threads etc. of failures as an arm of my research sorta speak. I will look for 15's and 25's and make a decision likely based upon availability.

If I used the boat alone most of the time and without gear I wouldn't really think it necessary, but if there's 2 of us big guys on it and I install floors and decking I think it'll just be more enjoyable with a little more boogie behind it. If it's really dangerous to the transom I won't bother and I'll do the 15, I just can't believe a 25 would be that much more stress than a 15.

I'm also not a little kid and I'm not going to go abusing the thing all over the place. I just want to make my run to the fishing spot at about 30mph's instead of 8. Rigth now with my fishing partner and I we are moving 8mph or slower if it's windy. If I need a 16' foot and that's the answer I can accept that as well. I'll sell this boat, get something bigger with a little more boogie. I just find it hard to believe it can't be done with this boat.

I really wish I could just read the damn plate at this point...what a drag.

 

[5150abf]

Re: What are my options?

My point was when a transom fails it is almost always under power when it is at it's highest stress and it just lets go it doesn't sort of fail and there is no warning and a 25 is almost twice as much power as the 15 so yes, a boat could easily handle a 15 and fail with a 25.

Add to that you said your boat was from the 50's so if the transom has never been replaced it may not handle a 15 either so if it looks at all suspect I would change it before you put any engine on it.

In the end it is your boat and you can put a 150 on it if you want, I was just trying to point out that you are more than likely overpowering it.