What size outboard?

[JBK248]

What size outboard would be appropriate for a 14' aluminum starcraft with with a floor and a couple seats? It came with a 20hp which has never run well. It is rated up to 35hp. Ive been looking for outboards as a backup plan if i cannot fix mine. I see alot of 15hp available. Would this be too small to plane out ? I am new to this and dont want to make another mistake. thanks for advice in advance.

 

[JB]

Re: What size outboard?

According to the rule of thumb for minimum power for good performance, 70% of rated power, 15HP would be underpowered, JBK. You would need at least 25HP for satisfactory performance.

According to the same rule your 20HP is also too small.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: What size outboard?

Hey JBK, I had this 14' Starcraft back in the day...

Great boat! It had a 25 hp Merc that was PLENTY! I seem to remember that it was rated at 35 but she really didn't need that much. I do think a 15 would have moved it fine but the 25 was a great match for that hull.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: What size outboard?

A boat with a steering console will be rated higher, and take a bigger motor, than a tiller. A 15 on my 14' Lowe jon is fine and 25 was too much for the younger drivers.

 

[64osby]

Re: What size outboard?

My 14' Lone Star (no floor or seats) gets racing up to 22 MPH with a 1957 18hp Rude tiller. It's rated at 18hp.

How fast do you want to go?

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: What size outboard?

A 25hp will move that boat nicely. A 15 will too but might be lacking in power if you have two passengers or a lot of gear.

 

[tazrig]

Re: What size outboard?

I'm of the opinion that you go for the most hp you can comfortably afford. You don't have to use all of the hp but it's nice to have for those heavy loads. A larger engine won't have to work as hard to go the same speed as a smaller one and may well last longer as you'll be able to run it at lower rpm's.

 

[steelespike]

Re: What size outboard?

You don't hear anyone say "Boy I wish I had less horsepower".
It sounds like double talk but there are small 14ft boats and large or "full" 14ft boats a larger boat will carry a load better.
We had a 18ft Crestliner bare utility rated at 55 hp. We ran it a few years with an old 25 Gale.We often ran 4 or 5 passengers and gear and it planed easily with 6 adults.We did put a 50 on it in 78 when the Gale died.
It would leap on plane and nearly fly. It definitely was a better all around setup.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: What size outboard?

I run a '66 20 hp on my vintage 14' semi-V hull, tinny and I can get about +/- 20mph with a light load. That being said, I'm looking for a 30-40hp motor now, so that I can get/stay on plane a lower throttle and carry a little heavier load, but the 20hp is still pretty plucky and lots of fun.

 

[JBK248]

Re: What size outboard?

Jas,, looks like my boat, except mine is white. Thanks for all the input guys! Ill keep looking for a 25hp. Sounds like ill be happier with that. I would hate to get a 15 hp and be disappointed.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: What size outboard?

Jas,, looks like my boat, except mine is white.

I loved that boat, it was awesome! Way bigger than the standard 14' row boat ya know. I hated that I had to rid of her - those bigger versions are really hard to find up my way (used).

I'm sure you'll enjoy yours!

Cheers man!:thumb:

 

[lakelover]

Re: What size outboard?

I too have a Starcraft 14' (SF14) rated for 30 hp, beam is 5'. I run a Merc 20 on it and it will hit 29 mph with a light load on a good day. That's close to the 70% that JB recommends above. I'm very pleased with the performance with that motor. A stable boat, I love it.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: What size outboard?

You don't hear anyone say "Boy I wish I had less horsepower".

Not always true! The 16' Alumacraft I just picked up had a damaged 70hp on it which has been replaced by a 50hp. with no intention on going back to a 70hp. The boat only weighs 660lbs. It's a fishing boat and not a race boat.