Which hp for idle speed?

[Country Dirt Kid]

I have a 16 foot aluminum, flat bottom jon boat. The lake I want to fish is about 80 acres and is an idle speed lake with a 10hp restriction. My question is what motor would be strong enough to fight a stiff wind and get me around the lake at idle speed. These portable 4 strokes are surprisingly expensive so I would like to shop around some. Any ideas on what hp would be good enough? thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

define stiff wind. you could do it in a 4 or 5hp easy. 10hp is the limit, I would find an old 2-stroke 9.8

 

[jimmbo]

10hp limit and Idle speed only? Who are the Mental Midgets that think up those type of rules?

 

[Sea Rider]

Go for max 10 HP-OB and prop it right to rev middle to max wot rpm range as currently loaded, the only issue is that will need to wot test with a tach away from the idle speed lake. At a wind emergency runing max wot rpm will surely take you to the border safely.

Happy Boating

 

[Cold Atlantic]

I had a 14 foot aluminum with a 1960 18hp Evinrude. That motor was borderline too much for the boat. I dont know how fast it would go but it was plenty with two adults a child and fishing gear. A 9.9 or whatever will be more than enough for what you need. The nearby lake i go to a lot has a no wake within some distance to shore and a HP max of like 100hp. I see 200+hp boats in there all the time.

 

[QBhoy]

A cracking late model 8-9.9 Yammy 2 stroke would be perfect. Second best would be a mariner/Merc 10hp. All great engines and on a 16ft should give a slow speed at tick over and enough grunt to get on plane too, with clever weight distribution and within reason. These late model early 2000’s 2 strokes are really slight after these days...at least in the U.K. they are. The 8hp Yam 2 stroke weighs about exactly what the new 4 stroke 4hp does !!!

 

[Silvertip]

On 80 acres I can envision a no-wake. That's not a very big puddle of water. I do agree the speed/hp rule is silly. If it's idle speed only HP would have no bearing on the matter.