Maximum Horsepower

[Tony031273]

Hello,<br /> I bought a small 14' aluminum boat, and it does not have a rating plate on it. Could someone tell me what would be the maximum horsepower it could handle? It's a Starcraft 14', measures 16" deep at transom, and 53" at it's widest area.

 

[KCook]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

The Starcraft book for '96 does not show any 14s with a beam that small. Ratings for the ones they do show are 15 (SL 14 Utility), 20 (jon), 25 (skiff), and 30 (SF 14 S Utility).<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[smokeyjoe 2]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

Well I just sold a sylvan 1444 jon boat that I had for about 5 years that had a 30 hp merc seapro and it was great!!! It topped out at about 32 mph with just me in it with all the gear(Trolling motor, battery, fishing stuff ect.)and it would pull a tube at about 20 mph with a kid on it!! It was rated for 25 hp but it already had the 30 on it when I got it!! I guess it really all depends on how well the boat you have is built!!

 

[mstrawn]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

Kind of depends on the boat construction. I have a 14' Blue Star that is max rated for 20 HP. I also have a 14' Richline Challenger that is rated for 40 HP.

 

[Tony031273]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

Originally posted by KCook:<br /> The Starcraft book for '96 does not show any 14s with a beam that small. Ratings for the ones they do show are 15 (SL 14 Utility), 20 (jon), 25 (skiff), and 30 (SF 14 S Utility).<br /><br />Kelly Cook

The boat is probably alot older than '96. I would say that it is atleast 20-25 years old.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

Almost any 14 ft will handle a 15 well. I have a 15 Evinrude two stroke on my 14 ft. Cartopper Princecraft. It a great set up! Plenty of power in a small package.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

i have a 14 foot aluminum , 48 inches at widest, with 15 inch transom, and i use a 14hp evinrude and it flys like a raped ape

 

[Tony031273]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

I basically had a choice to make between a '75 15hp Johnson or a '73 20hp Merc. I think i will go with the 15hp just to be safe, and you guys say that it will be plenty fast.<br />Thank You.

 

[Mercathode]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

Tony <br />Go with the Merc. You can always throttle it down!

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Maximum Horsepower

The Johnson is a way better motor for you if like fishing as it will troll very smoothly.<br /><br />Also, I believe the 15 has a shallow water drive setting and not the 20 Merc...but you need to check that.