Need help choosing a motor size?

[cman2]

hello everyone,

I got a question and would appreciate some advice . I just recently bought a 16 ft jon boat and it came without a motor. The boat is rated up to a 35 hp outboard. However because I'm a broke college student i was wondering if i could get away with using a 10 or 15 hp outboard because of the price. Does anyone know how fast that would push my boat? I don't have to go super fast but on the other hand i don't want to barley be moving. Any suggestions ?


Thanks you for your time

[Locator79]

I fish a 1648AW with a nissan 15hp 4 stroke, and can run 18mph with me and all my gear. Would like a little more power, but it serves its purpose, and I take it just about everywhere.

[jusanothajoe]

get as close to 35 hp as you can afford

[HOGGHEAD]

I have a 16' Grizzly for fishing Crappie in the brush. I have two motors for the boat. A 9.9 Merc. and a 25 Merc. The 25 is a great motor for the boat. The 9.9 is just a little too slow. I only use it on 9.9 lakes and very small lakes. If you have any extra weight in the boat like other fisherman then the 9.9 is pretty slow. We use the 9.9 motor on a 14' V-bottom, and it does better, but it is slow.

I like fishing in the early Spring and alot of times in the flooded timber. The 25 HP will push my boat as fast as I feel safe running a boat in the early year when there is alot of logs in our lakes here in WV. I actually have to throttle it back jut a little bit. But then safety is first for me. Tom.

[midnight_f150]

I have a 25hp on my 16ft stick steer lowe boat I think it does a great job. My buddy has a 9.9hp on his 14ft boat and I think it does a great job of pushing it to be a 1977 model evinrude hand down from his grandpa. It looks like it came out of a showroom.

[funbun]

See, I don't mind going slow; I just want to go. Keep an eye on Craig's List. There's bound to be someone with a 10 or 15 hp motor for a reasonable cost that would run like new with a basic tune up.

[river slabs are better]

craigslist. little rock. a brand new 25 hp yamaha in box 2 stroke for like 2300.at palastine arkansas. if its not gone already.

[Chuck Haley]

get as close to 35 hp as you can afford

x2!

[hunter7711]

Go as large as you can afford. The smaller you go the more unsatisfied you will be.

[jimp]

x3 on as close to 35hp as you can afford. you will enjoy the boat more even tho you may never need the extra hp.