John Boat Style

[ken52]

I'm looking to get a small boat for 2 people to fish in shallows and play around with. I have a 7.5hp Merc that I seldom use enough on my 21 WAC boat and would like to use it occasionally on something smaller.

What size boat would this motor handle without over working it and would a john boat style be the best type?

 

[cwhite6]

Re: John Boat Style

It would push a 12' or 14' boat fine. Not fast at all, but fine. You should look at Carolina Skiff also. If you are in salt water, a boat similar to a Carolina Skiff will be better as it is all fiberglass and dang near unsinkable. They are pretty much fiberglass jon boat shaped hulls with alot of flotation in the floors of them. You can buy them bare hull for around the same price as a jon boat. I have a J16 and I love it.

 

[ken52]

Re: John Boat Style

Thanks Cwhite for the response. I really like the carolina skiffs but I thought it would be to heavy for a 7.5hp motor. Will be keeping my eyes open, thanks again.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: John Boat Style

My J16 fully loaded with about 500 lbs of people and with a 25hp motor will tool along at around 25mph fine and 28 or so with just me. A J12 should move decent with a 7.5hp motor. Not blazing fast or anything, but good enough to mess around in.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: John Boat Style

FWIW, a J12 hull weighs 250lbs. Rated for a max of 25hp.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: John Boat Style

I have a 7.5HP Force outboard on a 1436 (14') Tracker jon boat and it hauls. With 2 adults and 100# of gear (max weight capacity) it still planes. The guys I've taken out on it are surprise how well it does. Definitely not a big water boat though, anything over 2' waves and I'm running for cover...

 

[ken52]

Re: John Boat Style

Thanks Fishrdan, I was hoping my 7.5 would work on a 14'.