what size motor do i put on my boat????

chris k

chris k

Active member
i have a 12ft sears v haul i have had it for many years and never put a motor on it. i always just used it as a row boat. i am thinking of getting a motor for it does anyone have any advice??
 
First step is to look on the Capacity plate on you boat. In addition to the capacity there should also be a Maximum HP rating. Not that you need to go to the maximum but at least you know what to stay under.

If I were to guess, I'd say a 5 horse or less is what I'd put on it.
 
ill have to take a look at what the plate says cant remember off the top of my head. i would like it to be able to carry me and another guy with all are gear pluss a couple dozen decoys . just looking online at what people want for used outboards i feel like i am better off getting a new one having the warranty and maybe less headaches. before i posted this i was thinking 9.9. but i will look to see what is recomended.
 
another question what size shaft? any boat i was ever on or around had the motor on it and that was it so i never had to worry about shaft length or motor size. it was just motor A goes with boat A and so on.
 
Chris,

A 12 foot boat will probably use a short shaft motor. If I wanted to carry another guy, a motor, all of the gear, and a few dozen decoys, I'd get a bigger boat. When duck hunting, Murphy's Law is always present!
 
right now we got kayaks and a jet sled with to much crap. im not looking to be speedy gonzales out there just to be a little more comfortable. it looks like i wont have the funds for it anytime soon any how.I'll be the guy rowing.
 
Here's my 2 cents. Check the capacity plate and go as big as the plate allows and you can afford. You won't regret it down the road, but if you undersize the motor now, you will.
 
Years ago I had a 12' Sears aluminum that I ran with an old 5hp Scott Atwater. I wouldn't have wanted to run anything larger than that. Alone and empty, I was amazed at how fast she would jump up on plane and scoot.


I too agree, if you're planning on more than yourself, you'll want a bigger boat.


I do have to say however, those old Scott Atwater motors were very powerful for their ratings. I eventually gave it to a friend of my Wife's who races some type of little hydroplane boats. I saw it the next summer. Not only did I not recognize the little motor, his little boat ran around 50 mph with the highly modified Old Scott Atwater Outboard.


Jon
 
Grew up using a mid 70's vintage 6hp Johnson on a 12' Mirrocraft alum. boat, did great. That said, I had a 2stroke 5hp Mercury that would probably do great on your boat, very light motor and also has an onboard tank so you don't have to carry a gas tank, although sometimes the counterweight of 6gal. of gas up in the bow is nice. I don't think you'll be happy with anything smaller than a 4hp, especially if you have any type of load, even two adults, a few decoys and gear. Just my 2 cents, good luck with your search.
 
thanks for the advice. i will be on the search for an outboard. And hope i have the cash when i find it.
 
Some duck boat hulls remind me of hydroplane race boats.


This week two duck hunters died in Westport Harbor MA. A couple weeks ago a college student hunting out of a kayak disappeared/drown a few towns north of Westport. One of the Westport guys was a senior Cabelas employee so I doubt they were in a jon boat.


Statistically late season open water duck hunting has to be one of the most dangerous recreational pass times.


A "deep V" aluminum boat isn't what I call a robust platform for two guys & gear. Better than a jon boat but "only just".


For sales purposes I suspect max HP is often exaggerated.
 
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