1973 polar kraft - ID & engine size question

[woodman23]

Hello, my first post here. Ive been lurking for a while and there is a wealth of info here. good group.

I recently bought a 1973 16ft polar kraft, but I dont know how to identify what model it is. This is my first boat project, I've been a car and motorcycle guy until now. I found one small plate attached inside the transom, but all it had on it was a short ID number, if anything else was on it, that info is long gone.

Anyway, I am in the process of replacing a rotted transom now (thanks to info on this forum), and I am starting to think about the engine. It came with a johnson 75 stinger sitting inside of it. My first thought when I saw it was that was too big for this boat, but thats what I am hoping to get some info on.

I dont know the model so I dont know the hull weight and I dont know what size engine its rated for, and polar kraft info seems to be pretty limited for older boats from what I can find. As I mentioned, its 16ft long, its a flat bottom jon boat style, and if I measure across the top its about 60" at its widest spot. It has a side console if that matters.

I plan to use the boat mainly for crabbing and fishing, but want to option to take the kids tubing, and possibly throw some adults in and run around our river on a weekend.

i have someone looking to trade an evinrude 50hp for the johnson 75 if i wanted to. I guess I was just wondering if i should keep the 75 but wondered if it was ok on this boat.


thanks,
scott

 

[John Bussom]

Re: 1973 polar kraft - ID & engine size question

Scott,
First I am not an authority on boating! Second, I know nothing about the boat in question BUT somewhere on the boat should be a tag that will state the max hp for the boat! Use this only as a guide.

I have had several older boats with various motors, started out with a 14' aluminum V bottom Lonestar and a 30hp evinrude, then a 18' aluminum Lonestar with a 50hp 4 stroke, now I have a 14' fiberglass MFG tri hull with a 65hp Stinger. The 14' is heavier but the 65hp is enough to get up on plane and go even with 3 aboard and pulling 1 150lb skier!

If the boat legally allows the 75 hp (and I think it probably does) do not trade it until you get it for a test drive, personally I find it very frustrating to open a motor up and all you can see is the bow cause it don't have enough to get up on plane.

Now if all you plan to do is CRUISE up and down the river or across the lake and enjoy the scenery then a lower hp is ok, but don't expect to go anywhere fast or attempt to pull a skier cause you sure will be disappointed!

 

[woodman23]

Re: 1973 polar kraft - ID & engine size question

thanks for the reply John.

First, I need to correct my earlier post. the beam is actually 68", not 60. So from the info I found on this site (the only info I could find anywhere), I think that narrows it down to 3 different models, one of which was rated for 85max, the others look like 40max. So I still dont know which one I have.

regarding the plate, I looked and looked and there is nothing other than the plate I mentioned with the ID number. It looks like it may have had other info on it at one point, but if so, its unreadable now.

BTW, As mentioned, I'm rebuilding the transom now, and the transom is 1 1/4" thick. I thought it would be 1 1/2, but it definitely 1 1/4. Does that give any indication if a 75 is too big for it?

thanks again,
scott