How big an outboard motor do I need?
3 min read
Asked by: Celeste Vance
The safest way to determine how much horsepower you need for your boat is to know the total weight of your boat. The rule of thumb is to have 25-40 pounds of weight per 1 horsepower. If your boat weight is 800 pounds you would need a 32-20 horsepower engine.
What size outboard engine do I need?
The rule of thumb is based on weight alone, and says you should have between 40 and 25 pounds of weight for each horsepower. For example, a 5,000-pound boat could have an engine with between horsepower.
What size motor do I need for a 18 foot boat?
Tips for selecting the right size hp for portable outboard motor for your boat.
| Motor HP | Boat length (feet) | Boat length (metres) |
|---|---|---|
| 5hp – 15hp | 8′ – 14′ | up to 4.2m |
| 9hp – 20hp | 11′ – 16′ | up to 4.5m |
| 20hp – 40hp | 13′ – 18′ | up to 5.0m |
| 40hp – 75hp | 14′ – 20′ | up to 5.5m |
How many HP do I need for a boat?
For every forty pounds of boat weight, you need one horsepower to motor along over smooth waters at 20 miles per hour. So, for a 4,000-pound boat, that’s 100 horsepower for smooth, steady cruising. For an 8,000 pound boat, that’s 200 horsepower.
How much horsepower do I need for a 12 foot boat?
Maximum horsepower is based upon the size of your boat, with the range being around 3-5hp for small 10-12 foot boats, all the way up to 60-75hp for longer 18-20 foot Jon Boats. You should follow your boat manufacturer’s suggested horsepower for the specific size of your boat.
How fast will a 90hp outboard go?
21-foot pontoon boat with a 90 HP engine could hit 25 miles per hour. 21-foot pontoon boat with a 115 HP engine could hit 28 to 30 miles per hour.
How fast will a 115 hp Mercury outboard go?
A 115 Merc FourStroke was hitched to the transom of a Carolina Skiff 218 DLV, producing a top speed of 43.2 mph at 6,000 rpm and 5.4 mpg at optimum cruising speed, getting 27.1 mph at 4 grand, spinning a 21-inch pitch laser II S/S prop.
How big of a motor can you put on a 12 foot jon boat?
12-foot jon boats have an average weight capacity of 420 pounds and an average maximum horsepower of about 5 to 7 HP, however, some models allow up to 10 HP. A 5 HP motor is expected to have a top speed of 10mph. 7 HP could have 15mph or more.
What size outboard do I need for a 15 foot boat?
15 to 25 HP engine
10 to 14 feet (3 – 4.5 m) long inflatable boat. 12 to 16 feet (3.65 – 5 m) long Jon boat, fiberglass boat, and aluminum fishing boat.
How much hp does a 14ft boat need?
It depends on the boat. Some 14’s are wide and deep and could handle a 25 while others are narrow and shallow and would be scary at any higher speed or even sitting still with all that weight. A 15 hp is a good compromise, same weight as a 9.9 and enough speed.
How fast will a 25hp outboard go?
A 25hp Pontoon boat will not be very fast, with an expected maximum speed of between 5 and 10 mph.
Can you pull a tube with a 15 hp outboard?
Can you pull a tube with a 15 HP outboard? While it’s possible to tow a small child under 45lbs with a 15HP outboard engine, skiing behind a boat with such little engine power is typically challenging.
