Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

[skloczko]

I just bought a 10' aluminum tracker jon boat and want to put a gas powered outboard on it. Right now I have a 30lb thrust minn kota, and its just not doing it on the bigger ponds and lakes. Im looking at different size outboards, but want to make sure I'm going to get something that will push me and another adult with gear along at a good clip. I'm trying not to spend an arm and a leg here... so here's my question. Would a 2 hp motor (johnson, merc, etc) do the trick on 100+ acre ponds, or should I try to stick with about a 5 hp? Any opinions would be great. (anyone know an approximate speed I could expect from a 2hp or 5 hp?....I dont need to go lightning fast, but I want to get where I want to go without wasting much time)

Thanks in advance!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

go with a 4 to 6 hp.

 

[ratracer]

Re: Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

10' Tracker jon boats like most 10' jon boats I've seen are rated for maximum 3HP

 

[gregpro50]

Re: Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

A 5hp would probably bring the boat up on plane with one adult. With two you would probably need a 10 but thats probably much more than the boat is rated for. I recommend getting whatever is the maximum HP your boat is rated for.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

Tracker 1032 is rated for 3 hp.Get a 3.The Evinrude/Johnson 3s are great little motors.What ever you get stick with a major brand.Expect speeds 5 to 8 mph.With a 3 you will have all the power the boat is rated for and you could throttle back and let the motor loaf if you wanted too.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

Johnson/Evinrude 4 deluxe. Best motor ever.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Small outboard on Jon Boat...Opinions please

.... I recommend getting whatever is the maximum HP your boat is rated for.

I have to agree here, I'd go with the max the boat is rated for.
You may be asking a bit much of a 10' boat. I have a 12" Lowe built Gamefisher which is only rated for 300lbs and a 10hp motor and I know that I myself and some tackle exceed that rating. Most 10' boats are a good bit less, I have an older unknown make 30" wide 10' jon boat here that says 250 lb max and 4 hp.