Boat motor size on a 14ft aluminum

[FishingFrenzy]

Hey All,

In the market for a motor for my 14ft aluminum. Now I know a 15hp motor would probably be the BEST because it has a little more kick than I need, and a 9.9 would be IDEAL because then i've got all the power I can get without registering the boat.

But my question is, what kind of speeds could I get with 3 smaller/average size guys with a 8hp 2 stroke? How about a 5hp 2-stroke? The only reason im hesitant to go for the 9.9 is price. Any 9.9 worth buying is $1200+, I can get a nice 8hp for $850 and a nice 5hp for $550. Im not expecting to win any races but at the moment im used to going 6kmp/h MAX with my electric motor on my inflatable

This isn't a long term purchase for me, im more looking for this to get me through until I have the cash for a small jet-jon.

If you guys really think im going to be dangerously underpowered with less than a 9.9, im thinking I will go with a brand new tohatsu 9.9 for $2000, instead of a 20 year old merc or 'rude for $1500... Anybody have experiences with the tohatsu motors? I've heard that they build small motors for nissan and mercury so....??


Any input it much appreciated!

'frenzy


EDIT: The 8hp motor im looking at says "Can be upgraded to 9.9"....How does that work....

[pickrel pat]

3 guys 14 foot boat, i think you would be borderline for getting the boat up on plane with a 9.9 or less, id go 15 or 20.

[Albertafisher]

I don't think you can buy a motor strong enough for that. 3 guys is pretty heavy...

[pikergolf]

A ten horse will not get you and your load out of a wave trough in a storm, happened to me once, bought a 20 next day. Scary stuff!

[Lefty-Canuck]

My Dad has a 14ft Lund....it has the max allowable motor on it...a 30HP Johnson.

LC

[sanjuanworm]

I have a 14ft lund. Had a 15 horse on it and it wasn't enough to plane it with 2 of us in the boat. Upgraded to a 25hp and man what a difference. Buy a used 25hp. I got a 2004 johnson 25 hp 2 stroke for 2000 bucks.

[codywf]

I've got a 14ft boat with a 30hp, couldn't imagine anything less

[FishingFrenzy]

Forgot to mention, this boat is only rate for 12hp. I dont really feel that its a good idea to overpower anymore than maybe a 15hp.

Thanks for the opinions so far guys!

[Bundo1980]

My wc14 lund with a 15hp honda was an awesome package no problem ever even with 3 guys and my lab in it to get it on plane.

IMO spend the money up front and never look back. Outboards should be like wall tents always go 1 size bigger then you think u need

[bubba 96]

I have a 14 foot crestliner, and a 15 horse 4 stroke merc, me wife and 2 kids pushes 34kph...only complaint I have is I have to back troll when bottom bouncing, trolls fine with cranks..All bought in 2009...
Also forgot I'm rated for 25 hp..

[bloopbloob]

Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy

Forgot to mention, this boat is only rate for 12hp. I dont really feel that its a good idea to overpower anymore than maybe a 15hp.

Thanks for the opinions so far guys!

12 hp or 12 kw? Thats an odd hp number...
My 12ft is rated for 11kw (15hp). I have a 7.5hp merc on it, and with 2 guys (me and a friend), its a slow go! Won't get on plane and just plows water. By myself it planes and is actually fairly quick (24km/h via gps). add another guy and it tops out around 12km/h. Highly suggest Getting the max it's rated for. Got caught in a freak storm last year and I couldn't even keep up with the waves coming from behind us while trying to get back to shore. The waves were crashing over the transom. More power sure would have been nice.

[LeonH]

Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy

Forgot to mention, this boat is only rate for 12hp. I dont really feel that its a good idea to overpower anymore than maybe a 15hp.

Thanks for the opinions so far guys!

My 14 foot is a smaller boat with 15HP max rating. I currently have 9.9 Johnson and you would be surprised how fast it will go with 2 people. I actually will be selling my outboard as I have brand new Lund coming prepackaged with 25hp.

This one is older mid 80s but running very strong and parts are very easy to source should you ever need something. Last season I had it completely checked over/serviced at Recreational Power Sports in Edmonton.

If you are interested we could arrange to test it on a lake around Edmonton. And pricing would be well below what you described. I also would trow in brand new unopened spare prop that I picked up at RPS when they serviced it ($100 + tax). Also got some fresh pictures from May Long (last weekend) cutting through water on Long Lake if you are interested.

Cheers.

[outandabout]

Hi there, I have a springbrok 14ft with a 9.9 'rude which is PERFECT. Most of the time its my wife and me and we cruise not bad...its not a race boat after all!!! When we have my 16 year old son we of course go slower. A 15 hp is not that different with speed PLUS you then need to reg it (not that big of a deal, but if your looking short term...)
Simple forward, its a 14 foot fishing boat NOT a 20 foot ski boat!

Oh and the 9.9 is 20 years old and can handle all the waves and storms that the actual boat can handle and or the passengers are willing to handle

[FishingFrenzy]

Thanks for all the help guys, Im thinking I will just go with a 9.9hp, luckily LeonH (PM sent) has one he might be willing to sell me


I appreciate all the advice!

'frenzy

[billie]

I think the 9.9's are quite variable as to actual output. The registration requirement probably made manufacturer's lie a bit. Point is that 9.9's are not the same across the board. LeonH is making a great offer to test the product on your actual boat, go there first if it works for you.

As an info item aside, several 15HP units are the same as a 20HP (weight/displacement), they are just tuned differently, different carburator maybe?

Once you have an outboard mounted you tend to venture further, thus the points made about making it home. It is good advice.

GL.

[LeonH]

Originally Posted by FishingFrenzy

Thanks for all the help guys, Im thinking I will just go with a 9.9hp, luckily LeonH (PM sent) has one he might be willing to sell me


I appreciate all the advice!

'frenzy

PM back to you.

[SonnyJ]

Just please keep an eye out on the weather and if it looks like a storm is coming then header in and you;ll be ok with a 9.9

[pickrel pat]

Originally Posted by billie

I think the 9.9's are quite variable as to actual output. The registration requirement probably made manufacturer's lie a bit. Point is that 9.9's are not the same across the board.

so true.

[great white whaler]

There should be a stamped plate on the transom telling ya engine size alowed,on my 12 ft aluminum sears boat it say 9.9 max

[Darren57]

I have a mid depth hull 14 foot with a 1975 Johnson 15 horse and a 40 lbs thrust minn kotta electric with a marine battery. It has never had an issue in the 30 or so times i have used it. I had it servised once in the last three years just to be sure. It goes 30-40km/h dependig on load. Never had to worry about not getting back to shore (u do get a lot of spray over though. The only complaint i have about the 15 horse is it wont seem to troll under 4km/h without stalling. That seems to be its min speed. That may be another advantage to having a 9.9 as well as it being more quiet. Could come in handy if the electric runs out of juice.

[TROLLER]

while a 15 is great you might want to consider the 90.9 high thrust.

works great for me and I am told has the equivalent power to a basic 15

[hockey1099]

i had a 14 with a 25hp two stroke. Wouldnt want any less.

[RapStaff]

Go big for sure, I have a 12 foot that I run with a 4.5 with two guys on reasonably calm water runs at almost 10km an hour.
It doesn't have enough to put me on top of the water to plane.
And it goes even slower when I'm running by myself cuz all the weight sits on the back.
I'm 230 pounds, kinds of funny looks like I'm cat walkin across the water.
Gonna have to get a counter weight for the front cuz I can't afford a bigger motor RFN.
LOL
"fat guy in a little boat!"
R.I.P. Chris Farley

[Willowtrail]

I had my 8hp on my 14 and couldn't get plane alone. Went to a 15 and she runs great.

If you're buying an older OMC then the only difference in the 9.9 and the 15 is the carb. Buy the 9.9 and upgrade the carb and you got yourself a 15 and you'll be happy.

[boounga]

What do you mean by planing??

[fishdude17]

when a boat rides on top of the water

[pickrel pat]

Originally Posted by boounga

What do you mean by planing??

skimming across the surface of the water instead of pushing the water

[fishdude17]

I have an 8hp on my 14' springbok, it's ok by myself but I still keep a close eye on the wind/weather, water starts getting rough I head in. Anymore than 1 person in the boat and its a good workout for the motor.