Matching Horse Power With Size Of Boat?

Abby Herwood: I have a 12 ft aluminum car-topper. It's max rating is ten h.p. and that's what I use. It used to have a 4 h.p. and it was not anywhere near enough power. It was impossible to get the boat on plane. With small boats like that I'd say get the maximum h.p. that the boat will permit. Usually a 12 ft aluminum wil max out at 10 hp and a 14 ft will max out at 15 hp. My 10 h.p. only weighs 70 lbs and because of the way it's balanced I can carry it with one hand. The 10 hp is a two stroke and will troll quite slowly, but I would bet a modern 4 stroke will troll even slower (and smoother, quieter, and cleaner)....Show more

Alane Antes: I have a 12' valco and a 15hp evinrude 2 stroke... that boat will do 30 with only me and my fishing gear in it... This motor only weighs about 70 lbs... If you can find (and afford) a smaller 20hp outboard, do it.... Bottom line- get as much motor as you are willing to lift and carry, unless you have a trailer for your boa! t then I'd say stay at 20hp, and you will be fine.... Weight is the big consideration here. (especially if you will break the boat down to transport it.)Best advice, when at full speed, never turn sharply in that small of a boat, or you will roll it and sink it.... Ive seen a kid do it before....Show more

Rose Krouse: 15 hp unless you want speed than 25hp see if there is a hp & person tag but those should be safe.

Jamika Gregorio: It sounds very fair to me,if you buy it or use it much have it checked out by a outboard mechanic,I got stranded on Orange Lake using a yard sale outboard years ago,it was scarey but help came soon !Orange Lake is a 3 or 4 mile long lake a bit se of Gainesville, not the small lakes I kive on !

Dulcie Edis: Normally you can look on the tag on the boat it will give you the max h.p. rating and weight. Different boats have different ratings. Is it a flat boat, fiberglass? You didn't specify, Fiberglass boats are heavier so you sho! uld be able to go with a bigger outboard. You may want to chec! k with the lake you will be fishing in and make sure they still allow 2 strokes. Some lakes are trying to get away from the 2 strokes, due to the oil dispersement into the water. Good luck picking the right set up...Show more