1955 5.5 hp johnson

[baconbiscut]

1955 5.5 hp johnson

I have this motor on my 14ft v and I was wondering if i could get more hp out of it or is it time for an upgrade. I get about 12mph with me in it and with me and my boddie and gear i don't even want to know how fast it goes with me and him but atleast it still planes out. Last weekend i took my little boat down town and the currents were realy strong at about 3/8 throttle i was almost moving backwards. And i was thinking a used 9.8 or 15 if i can't soup my motor up. Please give me your opinions

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

There's really not anything significant to get more ponies. They got all the way up to 6Hp with that powerhead, but another 1/2Hp isn't worth the effort.

A 9.9 would be a noticable improvement for one or two people, but a 15 would be much better for two or three people (or two plus a load).

 

[baconbiscut]

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

thanks for your help the boat is rated for 18 hp and i saw some good deals on ebay for 18 hp outboards now all i need to do is find the lightest 15 or 18 there is around

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

For the 18s, I think the lightest are the tohatsu 2 stroke (90 lbs) or an old 60s/70s J/E 18hp (~83 lbs depending on options)

15s are usually quite a bit lighter. Mid 70s J/E 15hp is 72 lbs bare for example.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

Re: 1955 5.5 hp johnson

the '55 15 hp i had on my 14' was plenty of power, with 2 200lb people. when i was growing up, we learned to ski behind a 1950 15 hp on a 14' wooden jon boat.