How big of a boat motor do I need?
3 min read
Asked by: Meredith Lewis
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.
How much horsepower do you need for a 16 foot boat?
To achieve maximum efficiency, you’ll have to give it 50 to 300 horsepower. There’s a range of the required power as you take into consideration the size and usage. An aluminum boat that is 16 feet long needs to have a 60 horsepower motor. Once equipped, it can have a speed of 25 to 30 miles per hour.
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 horsepower do I need for a 20 foot boat?
Center console boats from 20′-25′ can usually perform well with a single outboard from 200 to 300-hp, depending on load and top speed expectations.
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.
What size engine do I need for a 12 foot boat?
Tips for selecting the right size hp for portable outboard motor for your boat.
| Motor HP | Boat length (feet) | Boat length (metres) |
|---|---|---|
| 2hp – 10hp | 8′ – 12′ | up to 3.5m |
| 5hp – 15hp | 8′ – 14′ | up to 4.2m |
| 9hp – 20hp | 11′ – 16′ | up to 4.5m |
| 20hp – 40hp | 13′ – 18′ | up to 5.0m |
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.
What size motor is recommended for 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. This speed is great when riding in slower moving rivers and streams.
How fast will a 12 foot aluminum boat go?
12 Foot Jon Boat Speed
10-15 mph is a good expectation for this boat size. This boat length will usually allow for a 5hp engine, with some models permitting up to 10hp engines.
Can you put a 15 hp motor on a 12 foot jon boat?
A 15hp on a 12′ boat may porpoise, or (worse) cause the bow to dig in as the hull is sucked downwards from excess speed. (Yes, this happens). If you DO go with this size engine, avoid running it at WOT unless you have some extra weight in the boat.
