What HP motor should I get?

[Buckman21]

I own a 1994 16 1/2 foot Monark aluminum boat. I need to upgrade my motor from the 9.9HP 2-stroke (tiller) that I have now. I was thinking about getting a 25 or 30 hp 4-stroke (tiller) motor. I'm concerned about the weight (184 lbs w/PT). My boat only weighs 530lbs and I'm not sure that it will work on my boat. I weight 250lbs. My boat is rated at 50hp max. A 50hp motor back in 94 probably weight the same as a 30hp 4 stroke. The brochure for my boat says the standard power is 20hp with a max of 50hp. I fish in shallow water often (3 ft) and I fish by myself often too. I think the back will be weighed down too much. I might just go with the 20hp (50lbs lighter) just to play it safe. Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[pootnic]

Re: What HP motor should I get?

I have a 40hp tiller on a 16' mod V crestliner(says 360lbs).Not sure if your boat is a v hull or not but it will handle the hp and weight and still probably not draw a foot of water.Pretty sure someone will come on here and say you shouldnt go below 75% of your max hp.

If your hitting in 3 feet of water your sinking

 

[JB]

Re: What HP motor should I get?

Howdy, Buckman.

Welcome to iboats.

I would go with 30HP 4 stroke, which is 60% of the rated maximum. An early 90s 50HP 2 stroke weighs about 200#, so you will be well within the weight expectations, and the 30 should be able to plane your boat at about 20-25mph and get you there and back a lot quicker than a 20.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: What HP motor should I get?

I would keep things simple and, unless you just love those 4-strokes and gotta have one, upgrade to a 18, 25, or 28 hp OMC two stroke. Bullet proof tanks and good on gas...lots of power and if you take care of them, you can pass it and the boat and fishing rods along to your sons/grandsons. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: What HP motor should I get?

I think 20hp will do fine for you. I use 18hp on my jon boat, and there are times
when I'd like to have a little more top end just for fun, not for necessity.

If you go over 20hp, then power trim would be nice to have. You can manually
tilt a 20hp fairly easily to shallow water drive, but you know how the weights of motors go up over the 20hp range.