What motor for a 12' aluminum? Help!

[gfakkema]

Hello,
I have read a few posts already about 12' aluminum boat and motor pairings. Most recommend going with the 9.9, and I would normally agree (never such thing as too much power right?). I mostly plan on doing lakes and what not, but want to stay open to river fishing as well. The main problem is that the boat is a car topper on a subaru wagon. I put the boat on the roof racks and load/unload by hand. I'll have to remove the motor every time and lay it down in the car. I would like a light weight motor that is self contained enough to where I won't have to worry about gas and what not getting all over the interior. I have handled a 9.9 or two and they seem a little bulky. Is there a motor that is significantly lighter without sacrificing power? The motor must be able to plane on a lake with two people and gear. I don't have a ton of cash for a new motor, was looking to spend $1000 most. What do you recommend, I'd like to know what you use, on what waters, with how much gear etc. Thanks.

 

[etracer68]

Re: What motor for a 12' aluminum? Help!

I have a 4hp Mariner, that has its own fuel cell, and is light weight. I dont think your going to find a 9+ with its own fuel cell. I have put mine in the back of the Burb, with vent closed, and never had a leak yet. I have seen 5hp with its own fuel cell, I think there just carbed bigger 4hp's.

 

[gfakkema]

Re: What motor for a 12' aluminum? Help!

I'm not dedicated to the idea of an internal tank. Would the gas in the carb leak on a model without integrated tank? I would like to see if a 6 hp would be enough motor, but an 8 or so would seem ideal. Anyone know how much different an 8 hp motor stacks up to a 9.9 on power and weight? I wouldn't mind packing an additional 5 or ten lbs of motor if it means 1 or 2 extra hp. Let me know what you think.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: What motor for a 12' aluminum? Help!

Seriously, you're splitting hairs between a couple of pounds and one or two extra hp. It's almost like your talking about using a 2-quart pot to boil your spaghetti so you don't have to deal with the weight of a 4-quart pot!

I ran a 5.5hp on both my 12' and 14' tin boats. The hp you need more depends on how fast and how far that you want to go. As for the type of motor, since you are $$ adverse make sure that you're only looking at 2-strokes. They are much lighter in weight than four-strokes and cost less. Many of the old 2-strokes will have open carbs. The easy way to get the gas out of them so that you can toss the motor on its side (for travel/transport) is the unhook the gas line within site of the landing. The motor will burn out the gas in the carbs and then die.

Get a nice, used 9.9hp 2-stroke and be happy. I used to take my 25 and 35hp motors off the boats all of the time. You aren't carrying them across fields, just from the boat to the car. You can carry the extra couple pounds for a 9.9.

 

[ozenine]

Re: What motor for a 12' aluminum? Help!

I'm not dedicated to the idea of an internal tank. Would the gas in the carb leak on a model without integrated tank? I would like to see if a 6 hp would be enough motor, but an 8 or so would seem ideal. Anyone know how much different an 8 hp motor stacks up to a 9.9 on power and weight? I wouldn't mind packing an additional 5 or ten lbs of motor if it means 1 or 2 extra hp. Let me know what you think.

Hi, I cannot speak for the weight, but I had 6hp on 14 footer and it was fine. Of course it would not go on plane with more than 1 person, but I had at one point 4 big adults in the boat and it was moving ok. I did upgrade to 15 hp anyways but mostly becuase i wanted something a bit newer.