Outboard Opinions - Pics added

[Ben M]

Motor buying time!

I've found a guy with a number of operational motors in various horsepower ratings.

I'm finishing up a 13ft x 50" wide Spira Marsh Rat, a semi-v sneakbox design with a displacement hull. I'm just guessing, but I'm thinking it will finish well under 150lbs.

I want to be able to cross big water if I have to with enough power on tap to feel safe.

Found a fair deal on an Evinrude 15, but I'm wondering if that's just overkill for a displacement hull. Opinions? Hell, it might end up planing after all! Haha...

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Ben~

Got a picture of your hull - especially the bottom shape ?

If it's truly a displacement hull, you will probably max out performance with a 6 or 8 HP.

My Sneakbox is 13'2" x 5'2" - BUT is semi-displacement. So, the added horses can help. I have a 1978 Evinrude 15 on her now.

A big consideration for you should be the weight of the engine. The newer 4-strokes are generally much heavier than their 2-stroke predecessors. My old 15 tips the scales at just 78 pounds - and is the same weight as a 9.9 of that vintage.

Can you borrow or try out any of these engines - or from friends?

All the best,

SJS

 

[Carl]

Is it an older 2 stroke 15 (same block as the 9.9s)?
Those old 2strokes are generally indestructible and very reliable & easy to work on/maintain. And getting harder to find.
If that's what it is, while a little overkill on the hp, might be worth it at the right price.

What is the hp rating on the sneakbox you're building?

 

[Ben M]

Steve, it is a semi-displacement hull, and my build ended up with plenty of rocker. I'm out for the next 12hrs or so, but will try to get some pics up tomorrow. I can imagine it sort of planing in that high bow, plowing fashion...but that stern does tuck on up pretty significantly.

Carl, the 15 in question here is an '89 Evinrude whose current owner is an auto mechanic who listed his work on it that essentially amounts to a rebuild of motor and lower unit. Motor gets run weekly sounds like. High hours I'm sure, but sounds like good maintenance. He's asking $600 obo.

 

[Paul Mc]

Johnson/Evinrude 15's from the later 80s are great.
I've got one on my South Bay and it's more than ample.
$600 sounds high, but I'm cheap

 

[Carl]

Down here that is a bargain for one of those motor is excellent shape.

 

[Ben M]

Finally got round to posting a couple pics of the back end of my boat build. When coupled with the second pic showing the rocker in this hull, you get a feel for the hull shape. I'm not sure if it will plane or not. And I wonder about porpoising. I'll find out soon enough...

I went ahead and purchased that '89 Evinrude 15. The guy threw in a 14ft john boat to take the kids fishing in. Couldn't say no! Hahaha...

Let me know what you think about how this hull might perform with a 15 on the back.

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