What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

[el_duderino23]

I have a tracker 12' I just purchased and bottom painted(that's expensive stuff) that I leave in the water(saltwater)behind my house. The boat is rated at 6hp MAX and three people. The beam is 45" and the boat itself weighs 105#. The bottom of the boat is flat. I currently have a '85 Burro Del Mar 6 HP on it now. The boat planes out fine, and barely planes out with three people(one bowriding) but is not fast enough for me. I would like to be as safe as possible, but I am wondering if overpowering is dangerous?<br /><br />Is the transom stong enough for a 9.9 or 15 HP?<br /><br />Is the weight of a new 9.9 or 15 HP equivelant to my '85 6HP?<br /> <br />Will the hull crack from the torque or something else? <br /><br />What are some of the things I need to be concerned about?<br /><br />I am also open to putting a 15HP Jet Drive on if possible. Any suggestions on this or brand preference.<br /><br />Would the weight be to much?<br /><br />Are there 9.9HP jet drives?<br /><br />Anyone have experience with this type of configuration on a light 12' aluminum?<br /><br />How skinny were you able to get it?<br /><br />How fast did your 12' Aluminum go with a jet or prop outboard?<br /><br />I am intersetd in hearing some stories along these lines, or some answers to the questions above. I tried searching but was unable to find anything similiar to my query.<br /><br />Thanks for your help.<br /><br />The Dude

 

[Bco128]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

just a thought for you, mixed with my humble opinion. never exeed the manufacturers rating.it is rated to keep you safe.overpowering can cause the boat to become unstable even if the transom can hold it.it is also illegal to exeed the max rating.the weight will also be an issue as the added weight will cause the stern to sit lower and bow higher.increasing instability.so my opinion keep it safe, stay within the rating.a little more speed isnt worth risking your life or the life of others.may i suggest a bigger boat?

 

[raymondmoyer]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

You won't be able to find a jet drive outboard that small. THe smallest is 18hp head ( 15hp at the jet ) that I know of.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

A 7.5hp or 8hp two stroke is as far as I would over power. Even then, I'd stick to the 6 hp if that is what it is rated for. A 15hp is dangerous for a boat only rated for 6 hp.

 

[BF]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

I've got a couple of old cheapo car topper tinnies that I use with a 6 hp... that's as much as I'd ever care to put on them. I did put my 15 hp on when I first got the motor, just to test run (instead of running it in barrel). I was intending on staying at about 1/2 throttle, but couldn't resist seeing how the motor ran at higher rev's. Don't try that at home. It was fun but in a scary way. It was WAY too much motor for the boat. Boat would go fast (probably >25 mph, felt like 125 mph), but once at warp speed, the bottom of the boat started deforming (bending inwards) towards the back. I don't think more than a foot of the boat was touching the water, but the lake was like glass. By seat of the pants, it felt faster than my 16' with 150 hp!<br /><br />Anyway, when I noticed the bottom deforming, I figured I'd had enough "fun" for that day and tucked the motor away for a bigger boat.<br /><br />Since you know 6 hp is the max recommended HP, I think you'd be wise to keep it as is. As has been said, keep your eye open for a bigger rig if you really want more room/speed. 14' with 15/20 hp might be about right.<br /><br />That's my $02.<br />Brent

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

I'm curious..how big are the three people in the boat? That boat is only rated for 440 lbs. of lard including motor and gas. Motor, 60 lbs., gas 36 lbs., tank 5 lbs. that leaves space for three skinny minnies at 113 lbs ea.?????<br />'bout anchor and life vest? AS a proponent of over powered boats...10 HP is the max with a beefed up transom and the flimsy bottom that this particular boat has. With one person(that 113 lb. skinny minnie..), you could get some high speed oil canning of the bottom, boat starts porpoising......airborne....back flip....walah....appearence of a jackass... <br />This is not a good boat to do this to....

 

[tee-boy]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

I put a 15hp evinrude on a 12 foot aluminum when I was about 16 years old. The thing almost flipped, so I put my little padnuh in the front to keep the bow down. I bet that thing was doing 35mph. I would probably do it again.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

i have a 14' long by 40"wide flat bottom aluminum with a 14hp evinrude(15hp economy model) that goes pretty goes fast, a 9.9 would be just fine for your 12'. before this i used a 5hp tohatsu, which i still have , but am not using...if you get my drift$$$$

 

[sorrydog]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

Originally posted by Middleground:<br /> Add my .02¢ to Brent and Bco128 - DON'T exceed the rated horsepower for the boat. Not only is it potentially (very potentially) dangerous, it is, indeed, illegal.<br /><br />Middleground

Sounds like somebody who has never tried it.<br /><br />Rating is a CG recommendation.<br /><br />I've run a 8hp Merc on a 10' 50lbs feathercraft for quite a while. It propoised a little but nothing a brick up front didn't take care of. Just use your common sense when it comes to driving and don't drive like me and you'll be OK.<br />

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

Deleted by user..

 

[boatsalotjay]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

I have 14' flat bottom that I have put a 35hp Johnson on, with four people I felt safe and man was it fast.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

use this link for how fast you can go .....<br /> web page

 

[wpalmisano]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

I've seen it but an 8 hp runs my Tracker Topper 14 fine. When I want to go faster, I use my other boat. John boats are what they are, not bass boats. If it were me, I wouldn't go over 10 hp. It could damage the transom.

 

[RonJon24]

Re: What HP for a Tracker 12' aluminum

I have a 14' vhull... I started with a 7.5 mercury and was getting 7mph... I switched to a 15hp Yamaha and now getting 22mph... Personally, I'd put as much motor as you can, you don't have to run it at 100%. A 7.5-9.9 would probably give you more than enough power.