What size motor?

M

MNMLC

Recruit
Joined
Mar 26, 2009
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Just picked up an Aero Craft JCC not sure of the year. Back in the day the name plate is pretty useless. Doesn't tell capacity or motor limits. Boat is all aluminum weighing approximately 600 lbs. 18.6 feet long and about 6 feet wide. This is the cabin cruiser model and I need more information but first I need to put a motor on it. Anyone have the JCC model or can give me a recommendation or size it according to the above dimensions?
 
S

Starppy

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 23, 2009
Messages
84
Re: What size motor?

600lbs???? Cabin cruiser??? Are you sure? If you are talking outboard a good safe guess would be about 70-90hp.
 
CATransplant

CATransplant

Admiral
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Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: What size motor?

Lucky you! The ones on that page we looked at were all from the early 1950s. The biggest outboards at that time were 30 hp. I'd think it would look really nice with any of the Johnson or Evinrude big twins from the 50s. 30-35 hp.

You could probably get away with 50hp, given the size of the boat, but that wasn't what it was designed for, unless it was set up for dual engines. In that case, you'd be talking about 50-70 hp, given the outboards at the time.

I envy you your job of restoring that old aluminum classic! It really should have a period engine or engines on it. Fortunately, that's a nice inexpensive possibility.

EDIT: On a second look at the pictures at that other site, it's clear there's no room for dual engines. So, I'd go with a 35-40 hp Big Twin on that boat.
 
M

MNMLC

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Messages
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Re: What size motor?

Thank you. It sounds like 35-40hp short shaft is the way to go. It would be nice to put a 25hp and keep away from all the Rules and Regulations but it may be way underpowered ... with passengers and cargo. Great site and very informative. I searched around and found a lot of answers ... unfortunately not much on the Aero Craft JCC.
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CATransplant

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: What size motor?

That boat's beautiful, in a froggy sort of way. Compared to the ones on that site, it looks like it fits into the early 50s. I'd ignore that, though, and go with a late 50s 35 hp. I'm partial to the 1958 Johnson RDS20, myself, for it's handsome cowling. Others like the 56 and 57 Javelin better. After 1958, the cowlings on all of those johnnyrudes get a little ugly, from my point of view, anyhow.

In any case, as you can find here on the forum, there's a wealth of info on those engines, which are really reliable and easily worked on. Cheap, too.

It looks to me like you have quite a project on your hands, but it looks like loads of fun, too.
 
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