What engine would be best ????

[cat-n-tenn]

I have a 1963 aluminum v-hull 16ft long boat that is light but strong and is 63in wide. I need a tiller type motor. The boat is rated for up to a 40hp. The boat is used for catfishing on lakes and rivers in TN,mostly just me but could have 2 people .How big is too much for a tiller type motor to handle ? Electric start or pull start ? 2 or 4 stroke ? I just sold a 70 mph bass boat so the speed is not what i am all after, but i dont want too much motor if i dont need it.

 

[roscoe]

Re: What engine would be best ????

A 15 may struggle.<br />A 25 would do fine.<br />30+ zoom zoom <br />2 - 4 stroke ? your choice.<br />pull - electric? I want electric, but then you need to have a battery.<br /><br />Probably have to get a 30 or 40 if you want power tilt.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What engine would be best ????

Cat, i have a 14' 1960 lonestar w/ '55 15hp evinrude. could not run it by myself from the tiller, all it would do is stand up, even with a 10 ft. hose on gas tank. solutions: moved to middle seat, remote control, ezy guide stick steering, move gas back to the stearn, battery under the front seat. runs about 25 mph. now it a great fisherman, and fun to run. email me and i'llsend you pictures. <tashasdaddy@comcast.net>

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What engine would be best ????

If you are saying "handle" as in carry and take off your boat whenever you are done for the day, a 15 two stroke in Johnnyrude or Merc is the way to go at somewhere around 74 lbs. Anything over 125 lbs can be a real cow. I had an 18 Merc(same engine as the 25) and it was a bear to handle at around 125lbs.<br /><br />If you are just wondering about controlling comfortably a tiller engine, I've seen some indians up north with 70 hp tillers on their large freighter canoes...

 

[cat-n-tenn]

Re: What engine would be best ????

Yes, what scares me is haveing too much power at my handle or just being a tiller type. Im not as much worried about the weight cause i will lock it on the boat. I am just use to bib, big, big on bass boats and i just dont think with this boat it is needed to get it all with. But i just dont want it to be adeath trap ! Now it come with a 9.5 1965 evinrude but it is just not enough if i go to generated waters,i plan on putting a battery in boat this weekend for lights an such.Thanks

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: What engine would be best ????

I'd decide how much weight you can handle, then get the most HP in that weight range, up to the 40 hp capacity. For example, you might find that a 25 and a 40 weigh the same (I don't know that for a fact, but just saying...check it out). Like someone said, the 2 stroke 15 hp is about at the limit of what you'd want to grunt around on a regular basis. If it's just a once on and off a season, you can get help and probably handle the 40 no problem. n But I believe in hitting the max on the HP because you don't have to use the full power, but have it if you have a heavy load, strong current, etc.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: What engine would be best ????

They all steer well and there is no diffculty to control a higher horsepower tiller controlled motor. There is a trim adjustement above the prop that needs to be adjusted for steering torque. Once adjusted, it handles just fine regardless of how big the engine.