14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

[dishner]

I am new to this forum (and to owning a boat as well). I just purchased this Blue Star V-hull aluminum boat. There is no rating sticker on the boat. Hull ID is FLZ81160160. It had a 33hp johnson on it when i bought it, but it was a short shaft and the way it was attached wasn't safe, so I took it off. I am currently debating between a 10.5hp Ted Williams and a 25hp Mercury. I know this is a big gap, but it's all that's available now. I weigh 200lbs and want to be able to put 1-2 other adults in the boat with lots of gear. It has alot of metal in it that I think wasn't factory, so it seems really heavy. I bench 270, squat 415, and I can pick the back of the boat up off the trailer, but I'm not sure I could carry it anywhere.

Does anyone have any insight as to which motor would be best? Naturally I want the most power I can get, but I don't want to stand the boat up on its end either. I just don't have enough experience in this area to make the decision myself.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

Coool boat. I just sold my 1962 14" Bluestar. Mine also had no plaque listing the motor limit. Mine came with a Johnson 9.5 that the owner said was sold with the boat as a matched set (his dad was the origional owner). They for sure decked yours out with add-ons! I did a little work on my transom and the supports from the floor don't go very far up on the transom leaving it a little flimsy. For that reason I wouldn't go more than a 10hp unless they added some strength back there.

 

[dishner]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

Well thanks for your input. I swear I think that transom would be able to handle more. It's probably 1.5 - 2" thick. The angled part on the inside for support does not go up very high though I suppose. What did they look like inside from the factory? How much on mine is add-ons?

 

[mpsyamaha]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

a 10 horse wont plane that boat, and a 25 definitely will. so thats your decision right there.

 

[dishner]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

Thanks!

 

[lncoop]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

Yep. 25 is the ticket.

 

[Socal Pat]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

Well thanks for your input. I swear I think that transom would be able to handle more. It's probably 1.5 - 2" thick. The angled part on the inside for support does not go up very high though I suppose. What did they look like inside from the factory? How much on mine is add-ons?

Looking at your pics I see your transom is not the same as mine. I don't know if it is factory or not. Mine was just the same thickness as the hull with a 1 x 6 running along the top of the transom the width of the beam. As for planing... my 9.5 planed mine. My current Bass Tracker 17' has a 25hp and it planes, but it is heavy. Put that on a light 14' and you'll not only plane.... you'll fly.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

With that tall transom and decent amount of freeboard I'm going to assume that boat is rated close to the 20-25. Go with that. Plus isn't a Ted Williams one of those crummy air-cooled jobs?

 

[dishner]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

It can't be air cooled because it has a water pump. To strengthen the case for the 25, the Ted Williams NEEDS a new water pump. The guy has it, but didn't install it. He assured me it would run fine with it installed, but won't install it himself. Starting to not sound so hot...

 

[swmr]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

I own a 1957 blue star 14' that is almost bare aluminum except for carpeted floors and i run a 20 hp johnson and it has no problem at all with it and the capacity plate on the boat rates it for 1010 lbs and a 40 hp outboard so defiantly go with the 25 hp!

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

if it had a 33 and that didnt look to good on there i would go with the 25 but if you couild get a 20 you would be better off exspecailly if your going to have a few more people in that boat i would say that you should get a 20 and try to get a newer moter with in the last 5 years and a 4 stroke there a lot more efficant and run better then the older ones

 

[windy5849]

Re: 14' Blue Star V-hull Motor Size?

My 14' Grumman fisherman with a 25hp Mercury will do an honest 30 miles an hour(according to my Eagle fish finder trip monitor) with two people on board.That's plenty fast for a small aluminum boat.It rides bow high with just me until it planes,quickly.