How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

ronboonville

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Jun 6, 2012
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Recently aquired old 1962 appleby, these were the predecessors to the lowes. lightweight boat. Anyone think a 12 hp buccaneer would be too big. I weigh in at something over 200lbs, maybe 210. maybe counter weight with cooler full of beverage.
 

phillnjack2

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Apr 30, 2011
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Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

12hp !!!!!!!!

put a pic of the boat on if you can
because if its what is in the appleby chart it was only rated for 7.5hp and total weight of 450lbs.
But outboards back then were pretty heavy for their size.
i would be thinking a 12hp might be a touch heavy.
what is the weight of the 12hp engine your thinking about putting on ? and what was the weight of a 1962 engine of 7.5hp.
Plus what is the condition of the transom ? if its been well cared for or re-inforced then not too much of a problem.

here is a piece you might like, its the 1960 appleby list of models ,weights prices etc.
Applebybb001.jpg



phill
 

Texasmark

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Dec 20, 2005
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Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

I had a 10' Lowe's Lake John which was wider and had higher sides than regular johns. I ran a Merc 7.5 on it and it was very peppy. It could have taken a 9.9 which I believe would have made it frisky! 12 on a 12'? What does the BIA rating plate say or was that before they came to be. If you are legal and have both, try it. If it gets scary, you have your answer, course you could back the throttle off till you felt comfortable.

Looking at the Appleby chart suggests to me that either there wasn't much transom reinforcement or they were very conservative in their rating. I mean 15 hp on a 16' John.....twice that wouldn't be too much for a lot of Johns.

Pic sounds like a great idea. Get one of the side depth and another of the transom bracing. Assume the transom is 15" on a 12' boat.

Mark
 

ronboonville

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Jun 6, 2012
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Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

Thanks Phill, it is a custom car top 12, thanks for the chart.appleby 001.jpg
 

Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
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Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

I had a 12 Jon with a 36" beam (75# weight). it was rated for a max of 7.5 HP. I put a 7.5 on it and it was a bit overpowered with just me sitting in the rear. The wind would hold the nose up--pretty scary.

Get a tiller extender and a 7.5HP motor, would be my recommendation.
 

phillnjack2

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Apr 30, 2011
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Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

Nice looking boat.

Now after seeing the picture i would have no problem trying a 12hp on that boat.
Just make sure the transom is good and strong.
i think to be honest if it were being made today a 20 - 25hp would probably be the rating.

what is the weight of your 12hp buccaneer engine ???

i think youl have a nic rig with your engine.

i like that,and cant believe its a 1960's boat. very good condition.
who would guess that the boat in the pic is 50 years old ?

phill
 

ronboonville

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Jun 6, 2012
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287
Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

Thanks Phill, think I'll stay with the 5hp. Don't have a 12 hp was just looking on craigslist and found one. I just couldn't find a good reason to buy it. I'm one of those people that need to have something to work on and fix up. Some kinda mental imbalance.
If you are in England and like old machines maybe Ill send you a pic of my 1958 triumph motorcycle.
 

steelespike

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Apr 26, 2002
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19,069
Re: How big of outboard can I put on 12' appleby jon boat.

The 5 hp should be able to make about 12 mph with one aboard.
We had a 12' flat bottom steel boat with a 5 hp Gale.With a tiller extension it would pop on plane with a 180 pounder
in the middle seat.
 
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