What HP motor for small skiff?

[golf101]

My son and I are going to build a little boat that will primarily be his for knocking around on our lake. Right now, we are looking at 12-14 foot "power skiff" design from Glen-L. (https://www.boatdesigns.com/14-Power-Skiff-14-SG-skiff/products/350/) Trying to figure out what size engine would be appropriate. My son's 11 and I want him to have a little fun with it, but don't want it to go too fast. This is really just so that he can have a little independence in our cove (where I can see him), and for me and him to go fishing in. I was looking at 5hp engines, but was told that would probably be no more than a trolling motor for this boat. Is that right? What would a 10hp engine be like in a boat this size? I'm also looking at ways to save some money on it, and going up from a 5hp appears to add signficant cost pretty quickly, but I also want to make sure it's something he will have fun with.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Both models are recommended for 15 HP short shaft engines. With a 5 HP your son will be bored at second outing, that engine is just for goofin around and definitely won't plane that boat, go for at least a Tohatsu 9.8 HP, has nothing to do with bigger, heavier 9.9 HP. 9.8 are well priced, still portable, a nice starter engine into boating.

Happy Boating

 

[golf101]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Thanks Sea Rider. What would the performance difference be between a 10 hp and a 15 hp on a boat this size. Will even 10hp be "enough." (I put that in quotations because I know that's a subjective issue, but interested to hear your perspective and those of any others who read this). Thanks much.

 

[robert graham]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Whatever HP motor you put on the boat, rest assured the 11 year old will use it all, so let it be on the underpowered side, if anything...don't want your boy to get hurt! A 5HP will be plenty, especially if he's going to be out there by himself, doing doughnuts and speed jumps and anything else he might think of to try and get killed!...Of course, I'm judging him from myself and my experience. That emergency cut-off lanyard would be another good habit for him! Good Luck!

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

15/20 HP will have more punch pushing a more loaded boat with better top speed than a 9.9. A 9.8 Tohatsu weights just 37 KG compared to near 50 KG for the 15/20, 4 stroke versions. Tohatsu does not have 9.9 versions in 4 strokes. The tech difference is : 5 HP has 177 CC and 9.8 has 209, no big deal 32 CC more. A 15 HP has 350 CC.

5 HP will be a bad investment & poor performer for that nice boat as it can handle 9.9/15 HP engines, anyway you could restrict the aceleration on the 9.8 not to enter wot, a matter to ask the dealer if possible. Besides, nobody is born boating, a matter to teach your son how to drive prudently if you know how to or maybe have a experinced boater give a ABC boating lesson for both of you. If someone had a bad boating experience, that doesn't mean that someone else will have same. Bought my son a 5 HP and was bored at the third outing and me losing money on resale to buy a new 9.9.

Happy Boating

 

[woodsyfeller]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

I dont know what the law in Georgia is but in Washington if you put anything bigger then a 10hp motor on the boat you need to get it registered.Thats why they make 9.9 to get away from the hp regs for small boats.Its not a big deal to get boat regestered but just something to be aware of.

A 9.9 will really scoot ,you wont be able to water ski behind it but you can get around pretty good. I use a 9.9 johnson on my 14 aluminum boat on the Columbia River with no issues.

 

[golf101]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Registration in Georgia is required for all boats over 12 feet with mechanical propulsion, regardless of the HP, but the registration fee is only $15 for three years, so it's not that big a deal. I suspect we will start with a 9.8 or 9.9 hp, and move up later as my son gets older.

I heard from a local boat liquidator that they have a 2000 Johnson 9.9 hp. Anyone have any thoughts on that motor?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Check spare parts availability, it's already a 11 year oldie...

Happy Boating

 

[ondarvr]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

There is no issue with parts being availible for a 2000 9.9 Johnson 2 stroke, you can still easily get parts for 1980 and older.

 

[wylie catter]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Johnsons and Evinrudes are excellent motors. And in my oppinion a 9.9 will be plenty.

 

[F_R]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

I learned how to water ski behind a 10hp Johnson on a 14' Chris-Craft plywood kit-boat. But I don't know much about the Glen-L design you are considering. It might be kind of swift. Is that what you want in your "little cove"?

Why don't you call Glen-L and ask for some more complete information? They must have a lot of feedback from customers.

 

[golf101]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Why don't you call Glen-L and ask for some more complete information? They must have a lot of feedback from customers.

I actually have tried to join their forum to ask some questions, but you can't post unless you register, you can't complete the registration until the site administrator accepts you, and I have not yet heard back from the administrator. I will therefore probably have to call them. The skiff is I think what we want. The cove is actually not really that little. Lots of room to maneuver, but I do want to talk with someone more knowledgable about the skiff design.

 

[nwcove]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

a 5 hp will be dissapointing, a 9.9 will be way to much for an 11 year old on a narrow 125lb boat. kinda like buying a 16 year old a fast car for his first one.

 

[clemsparks]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

The first boat I was turned loose with, solo (at age 14), was an aluminum fishing boat...I'm guessing 16', with a 20 hp Mercury outboard. Console Steer. This was on the Lake of the Ozarks here in MO. It wasn't too fast for me at 14 years old. By that summer or the next, I was pulling younger sibblings, cousins, and friends on skis, tubes, etc.

I remember thinking the boat was fun, but looking longingly at the jet skis zipping past me at a MUCH higher speed.

The 20 hp was about all I had the strength to pull-start at that point in my life .

Get the engine you think the boat needs, and instal a throttle stop you think the boy needs (if you think he needs it). Better yet...do the throttle stop without his knowing about it. Once he grows into it, he'll be pleasantly surprised when he has a little extra oomph after you disable the stop.

Clem

 

[golf101]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

a 5 hp will be dissapointing, a 9.9 will be way to much for an 11 year old on a narrow 125lb boat. kinda like buying a 16 year old a fast car for his first one.

What size motor do you recommend?

 

[steelespike]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

We had a 12ft flat bottom steel boat easily 125 lbs with a 5hp Bucaneer circa 1956.With a tiller extension it would pop on plane with a 180lb adult alone.With a 125lb adult and 2 40 lbs kids it still planed easily.The 5hp gale was rated for about 12 mph.a 7.5 at 17,10hp 21,15@ 25
motors newer than 84 will be slightly faster they are rated at the prop.
To plane easily the 5 and 7.5 will need a tiller extension for an adult alone a 11 year old may be ok with a little weight in the bow, gas tank,anchor etc.The 14 should actually plane easier than the 12 because it is heavier forward. And may do better with added weight because of the bigger footprint.
If he is new to piloting a boat that is going to plane I think I would start with a slower easier to handle motor. 5 or 7.5 Also may want to take a boat safety course.
I had my own boat at 6 years a 10 footer with a 1.5.
While I wouldn't reccomend it ; there is a 2 hp on a little jon on Youtube that actually planes.

 

[nwcove]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

go with the 9.9, but do as others say, restrict the throttle, a 125lb boat, plus a 75lb kid plus a 10hp motor = kinda fast. ( the power to weight ratio is quite good, and getting close to a 300hp full sized car....bad comparison, but the math is there)

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: What HP motor for small skiff?

Both 9.9 & 15 weights the same, go for the 15 HP as the boat according to the manufacturer han handle it with no problem and restrict as Clemsparks recommends. Once restricted you could be going at whatever max speed you want with a 15 HP engine

Happy Boating