Max Hp for a Lowe Big Jon 1848 with a 70" beam ?

[zebstarnes]

I was wondering if anyone out there new what the max HP rating was for a 1984 Lowe Big Jon 1848. It is 18' Long, 48" bottom, 70 inch beam with a 15" transom ( I know that last part is a drag ). I just bought the boat and am needing to power it. It will be a side console. I was thinking 40 or 50 hp ( with a transom extension ) but don't want to short myself.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Max Hp for a Lowe Big Jon 1848 with a 70" beam ?

Where's the BIA HP and weight certification label? If it's missing, call Lowe and get the specs, don't take our word for it. Just for the record, I have a 17' semi-V with a 3 step pad alum boat with approximately those other dimensions, BIA rated for 800# and 130 HP......the numbers are not an error...130 hp is the rating. I run a 90 Merc on it and do 50+....can't imagine what a 130 would do and don't really want to know.

40-50 on a John of that size should push you along at a fast enough clip to enjoy without beating yourself to death and is probably well within it's rating. I had a 10' Lake John years ago they made and loved it...ran with a 7.5 Merc., boat rated for a 9.9 and it scooted right along...lotta fun.

HTH,

Mark