Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

[catfishman71]

I am in the market about to purchase a 15 foot Tracker Riveted Jon boat. The maximum horsepower rating is 25. The boat itself weighs around 200 pounds and usually it will be just me fishing out of it with 3-4 rods and a tackle box. I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to the Horsepower engine I should put on it. I was thinking about going with Suzuki's 15 hp fourstroke.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

It all depends on where you're going and how much speed you want/need. The 15HP will get you down the river and back with no problem, but won't be real fast. If you're 10+ miles down the river, out in the bay, wherever, and trying to outrun a big thunderstorm, then that 25HP motor would feel real nice! I run a 90HP on my 18' jon boat and rarely use full throttle, but 40+MPH is there if I needed it! Good luck!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

The extra power will be nice and I would go with the max unless I already had the 15hp laying in the garage

 

[lncoop]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

I'm basically repeating what everyone else has said, but in a nutshell, 15 will be fine, but 25 will be perfect. If it's a viable option financially go with a 25. If it's not, slap on that 15 and go get 'em. Tight lines.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

compromise. get a 20.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

Get yourself a nice Etec 25. No service for 3 years or 300 hours, No breakin period.
Fewer less complicated service intervals.A 25 will be loafing at the speeds a 15 can run at wot.
You never here a boater say "gee I wish I had less power".

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

you could get a 25hp and use a trolling motor to fish instead of having gas motor running for trolling. you might want to look into two motors one for getting there and one for fishing there.

 

[charlie2819]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

Get a used 20hp two stroke. A two stroke is lighter in weight, yes it uses a gas and oil mixture in the external tank. My father-in-law has used a 20hp mariner for the past 10 years on Lake Juliette with a G3 boat and the boat motor for a two stroke has a much better weight to power ratio than a four stroke engine. My good friend used a 9.9 four stroke on a 14ft. jon and it weighed a lot and you could not tilt it up as much as a two stroke while trailering it due to the internal oil sump of the engine. I have been around boating for the last 20 years riding in my wife's dad's boat and others before buying and using my own (five years) If you are fishing on small lakes (1000 acres or less) go with the 20hp. If you are on a river go with the max (25hp) Good luck and let us all know which one you get.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

Flat hull vs V or semi V: A flat bottomed boat takes more power to put it on top, but once there takes less to push it.

 

[Av8nBill]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

If you're going to do most of your fishing alone, the weight is going to be an issue you really need to look into. I hung a 15 hp 4 stroke off my 14' jon and had to move the batteries up to the front and it still is aft-heavy. When the Admiral is with me she sits all the way up front most of the time that we're underway to help even it out (not that she's actually big enough to make much difference, LOL).

 

[arks]

Re: Jon Boat size and Power HELP??

I have a 14' Lowe BigJon flatbottom rated for 25HP. I fish solo or with only 1 passenger and the 25 2 stroke is perfect. I use a bow troller for fishing.
It'll top out at 28 MPH but I don't push it 'cause the motor is 26 years old.....