new to boats

[PunxyK]

I inherited a 14ft aluminum fishing boat 2 years ago. Haven't had the time or money to work on it. This is my first boat so it's all new to me. First question is I need to replace the wood on the transom is pretty spongy. What kind of wood should I use? It has an old Sea King 12 HP on it now. The cover has been hand painted so I don't know if it's truly a 12 HP or not. I talked to someone about going over the motor, he said good luck finding parts for it. So, my second question is what would be the biggest for a boat this size? My guess is 15 maybe 20 HP.

 

[Grub54891]

Welcome to the site. After three posts you can put up pictures, that would help us help you. Any posts will do. Is there a serial number anywhere on the motor or clamp bracket?

 

[racerone]

Post pictures of this Sea King.----If it is an OMC product , the consumable parts will be easy to find.

 

[Scott Danforth]

as for the wood, if it was a 2x8, it would have been white oak

 

[Bob Sander]

I inherited a 14ft aluminum fishing boat 2 years ago. Haven't had the time or money to work on it. This is my first boat so it's all new to me. First question is I need to replace the wood on the transom is pretty spongy. What kind of wood should I use? It has an old Sea King 12 HP on it now. The cover has been hand painted so I don't know if it's truly a 12 HP or not. I talked to someone about going over the motor, he said good luck finding parts for it. So, my second question is what would be the biggest for a boat this size? My guess is 15 maybe 20 HP.

Not a lot of weight difference between a 10 and a 20.... not enough to be any major factor anyway. The biggest factor is safety. We had a 15 on the back of a 14' aluminum and we upped to a Merc 20. With only one person in the boat with a wind, it became fast enough to be a bit scary. Trimmed and planing was pretty nice but if you get a nice head wind and the bow comes up pretty high. We started putting dead weight into the bow with only one person in it. Never had to do that with the 15

It was a good boat and motor combination though. It got to where you wanted to go pretty fast, which of course leaves more time for fishing.
Had it for 30 years. New wood in the transom twice and wood seats rebuilt once. Just sold it a few years back to a buddy who still has it and going strong as ever.

 

[PunxyK]

Model # GG8971B
Serial #75X703038
Montgomery Ward
I tried looking it up before I think its a 1957