Boat motor size?

[Kickstarts-suck]

Well I just got a 14' fiberglass boat for free not to long ago and it needed lots of work(Rear was rotten). Im almost finished with it and looking for a motor, What HP motor should I be looking for? I will be buying used, don't want to spend $1000 on a motor for a ****ty boat. This boat will be used in lakes as a fishing boat.

Here is a pic of the day I got it. Looks really bad then but it looks great now. I just got the boat trailer today and it also needs work.(Bearings,rear needs welding)
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4623/dsc00733fw9.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

[mineralgrey01gt]

put a 25hp motor on it, thats more than enough for that boat ;)

[Kickstarts-suck]

Originally posted by mineralgrey01gt
put a 25hp motor on it, thats more than enough for that boat ;)

thats what I was thinking around 20hp

[trailwart]

get the biggest that its rated for or the most hp you think the transom can handle. i had a 16hp suzuki on my 14ft aluminum and it was fine with just me, but always had 1-2 more wanting to go and had a heck of a time getting on plane. when buying, measure your transom to find out if you need short shaft or long. ebay is a great spot for used, got my 16hp for 250winning bid and another 95 for shipping from WV to MI. if ya find one on ebay, as ling as its not over i think 125lbs, it can be packerd in a bycycle box and shipped UPS

[Kickstarts-suck]

Originally posted by trailwart
get the biggest that its rated for or the most hp you think the transom can handle. i had a 16hp suzuki on my 14ft aluminum and it was fine with just me, but always had 1-2 more wanting to go and had a heck of a time getting on plane. when buying, measure your transom to find out if you need short shaft or long. ebay is a great spot for used, got my 16hp for 250winning bid and another 95 for shipping from WV to MI. if ya find one on ebay, as ling as its not over i think 125lbs, it can be packerd in a bycycle box and shipped UPS

I have no idea what it is rated for. This boat was left at my grandparents rental property by the renters. I dont know much about boats so how do i measure transom?

[wilkin250r]

25HP is going to be a lot on that boat.

If I was going to recommend a size that would get you around, but not overpower it, I'd suggest about 10-15hp.


The "transom" is the back of the boat. The measurement you are looking for is the height, from the top of the back rail to the bottom (underside) of the boat. It will be either 15 inches or 20 inches. This will determine the "shaft length" of the motor you want, whether it be short shaft (15 inches) or long shaft (20 inches).

[Ghost-Rider]

15 HP Johnson.

[Quad18star]

We have a 20hp Johnson on the back of our 14 footer and it's perfect. Trolls nice and slow and gets you to the end of the lake quick enough.

[trailwart]

try to research the make of the boat or model. you might find out its only rated for 10, or might be rated for 35hp. my 14ft was rated for 35hp but i bought the 16hp zuki. i wish i would of gotten a 30 or 35hp because im going to upgrade to a 16 or 17ft v bottom and i know the 16hp will be small and ill be kicking my self for not getting a bigger motor in the first place. just remember, if this boat is only to get you started out you will probly upgrade within a few years, if you get a bigger motor right now, it doesnt mean you have to use all the power.

[Kickstarts-suck]

Ok I measured the back and its 17"

The decal that was on the sides are pretty warn but i can see WATER.... something. I think it says WATERSKEETER?

Thats the only decal on it.

Got the trailer put together today and put the boat on it.

<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5770/dsc00923fq2.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>


<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7924/dsc00920sr8.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us"/></a>

[wilkin250r]

The shaft length on the motor is from the powerhead to the lower unit, and comes in standard sizes of 15, 20, or 25 inches. But often, the motor doesn't mount with the powerhead exactly at the transom level.

In a nutshell, a 17 inch transom height means you are looking for a long-shaft motor, 20 inch shaft length.

[Kickstarts-suck]

Originally posted by wilkin250r
The shaft length on the motor is from the powerhead to the lower unit, and comes in standard sizes of 15, 20, or 25 inches. But often, the motor doesn't mount with the powerhead exactly at the transom level.

In a nutshell, a 17 inch transom height means you are looking for a long-shaft motor, 20 inch shaft length.

ok thanks :)