johnson 18hp test run

[jdsgrog]

Today I took out my 14' lund s14 (1976) with a '58 Johnson 18hp outboard for a test run. I think I got decent numbers, but I wanted to see what others thought. The motor ran pretty smoothly both at idle and at WOT. I got on plane about 11-13 mph (gps) and topped out at about 20.9 mph.

It felt good getting out on the lake even for a short time. But as I said, I was wondering if this is what I should expect from my 18hp. Total weight of boat and gear ran a little over 700 lbs (boat, motor, trolling motor, deep cycle battery, full tank of gas, anchor, and fishing tackle box and pole).

 

[CATransplant]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

That's about what I'd expect from that rig. I think the boat's rated for 40 hp, right?

 

[jasper60103]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

sounds like a nice fishing machine.
enjoy!

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Thanks for the replies. Actually, I think the boat is rated for 25 or 35 (I think 35). I looked at the uscg plate and it was so worn down that it was very hard to read. I have a Johnson 33hp also. I think once I get that up and started again, I may convert it to tiller and try it on this boat if I have more than a couple of people. 18-20 mph on my own was plenty enough and most of the fishing I do will be by myself.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

THat's a good speed for it with all that weight. I'll bet if it was just you and no other weight you'd get 25 mph out of it.
Nice rig,.
JBJ

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

I just finished rigging it for my fishing trip. Added a depth finder navigation lights a couple of cleats. One other question, do you think the 18hp will plane the boat with another 250 pounds on board? I'm fishing with a buddy up in Detroit Lakes MN this weekend for the fishing opener.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Hard to say, really. I guess you'll find out on the lake for the opener. I think I'd start looking for a 25 or 35 for your boat. Selling your 18 would get you most of the way to the price of a decent one.

In the long run, you'll be happier, I'm certain. There have been a couple of really decent prices on 25-35 hp tiller engines lately on Craigs List in the Twin Cities. I've even been tempted.

 

[jasper60103]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

My 25 tiller is a tough engine. It can push me and my 16' tinnie pretty good.
I think a 35 should more than enough with a full load.

 

[bhughes]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Hey, I have the exact same motor and I think a similar sized boat. I was wondering how you have the tilt set on the motor? We just tested ours out last weeked and I had it on the lowest notch closest to the boat, but when we got out of the water and looked at it, that seemed like the motor is pointing down towards the ground a little, so this weekend I'm going to adjust it and pull it out 1 or 2 notches.

Just wondering if you messed with that at all and how it affected the performance?

 

[coolguy147]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

dude man if u get a 35 aroudn the same year u be amazed on how great it is epecially with electric start

 

[bonz_d]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Hello fellow Lunder.

I also have a 14S except it is a DLX model with side console.

When I 1st got it I put a 18hp Evinrude Tiller on it just to get it on the water and it performed very simular with just me, gas and extra 50# of stuff. Even with 3 people in it did very well.
Later upgraded to a 35hp Evinrude, seats, battery and same gear as before and this thing is scary with just me in it. Very light in the bow. Gets blown around a bit while heading into the wind. Add another body and it then becomes very stable.
Right now I'm playing with props to find what works best but still trying to get a tach connected to help with that.

Love those Lunds!
Enjoy

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Out in detroit lakes. very cold right now. Well with me and my buddy and gear, i get close to 15 mph max. Will average about 13-14 mph. I'm going to try to change the trim to see if it would perform better.

bhughes, when i first tested it, i had it the second notch closest to the transom. it worked well with me alone in the boat. Got me up on plane and virtually no porposing despite the lack of weight up front.

I actually have a couple of 33hp motors. One I bought for parts, but I think I can get it running. Just need to find a way to keep the cowl on as the metal piece that the cowl hooks onto is broken. My original 33hp, I use on my runabout, currently both motor and boat being worked on.

I think the 18 is good for my purposes. I might consider the 33hp if I have at least two or more in the boat.

But I will say, I love the boat. It's very stable on the water. Very well built boat.

 

[bhughes]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

I got to take mine for another test run today after I installed a fish finder on my boat and I put new spark plugs on my motor (Champion J4C). The boat ran fine last week on the old spark plugs, but I have no idea what type of sparkplugs they were. They said gator on them and they were about half the length of the J4C's. I guess the guy that had this before me just put on any old spark plugs that fit.

I actually put the tilt on the second notch closest to the boat also this time and it seemed to be the right spot. The wake behind the motor seemed a bit stronger this time. Hey, any idea how long it takes to go through a gallon of gas on an 18 hp motor like this at full throttle? I'm wondering how long my 6-gallon gas tank will last and thinking about carrying an extra 3 gallons of gas onboard with me for long trips.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Took my boat out today again with readjusted trim. Was topping out about 17 mph with the trim on the third notch from the transom. Of course my buddy had to sit in the front bench of the boat.

We were out pretty much most of the day from 6:30 am-1:30 pm, and again from 5:00 pm-8:45 pm. I didn't fill up the tank from yesterday until today after 1:30 pm. Even then I think I only used about 3-4 gallons. The johnson 18hp was really good on gas. Didn't feel like we had to worry at all. We made a few long runs at WOT without a problem (Detroit Lake is actuallly two lakes totaling about 3000 acres). Not sure how you will run your motor, but reading from the forums, you should expect about 1.8 gph at WOT.

But for safety, it doesn't hurt to bring three extra gallons.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

I'm glad to hear that your 18 did the job with a passenger. Sounds like you're all set for our all-too-short fishing season.

 

[jdsgrog]

Re: johnson 18hp test run

Got back home from Detroit Lakes. I'm actually from the Chicago area, though I lived up in the Twin Cities for a number of years. Definitely miss the fishing up in MN where lakes are abundant. The boat and motor did pretty well. I'll probably make some mods to the boat (rod holders, extra cleats, possibly install a hatch in one of the bench seats, etc.). Though it was quite cold up north, we were pretty productive, and it was great being out in open water. Looking forward to the rest of the summer.