5 horse on 16"johnboat

[duckmen1]

I plan on getting a motor for my John boat and want to stay under 15 horse. Was wondering if a 5 horse would be enough to get the boat moving decent speed. I want to bring it out to the sound on nice days once in a while but mainly for lakes. Do you think this is enough.
I was looking at the propane lehr motors. The 9.9 I would love but its a little to pricey.

[Kola16]

I think a 5 horse is waaaaaaay too much for a 16" boat 

My get the 9.9.......you will want it

[duckmen1]

I know I will want a bigger one its just what I'm looking at is another thousand to 1500 dollars more for the 9.9 and that's a steep price difference for my income. I could save longer but I wouldn't be getting the motor this year

[bear hunter]

I have a 5hp on my 12ft boat it moves about 6 mph. The 5hp would work but I would stay out of flooded rivers and fast moving waters. It isn't fun when the boat looks like it is moving fast. Then you look at the shoreline to see that nothing is moving.  You might only be able to reach a top speed of 3 to 4 mph. I would just spend the extra money and get a 9.9hp or a 15hp. There was a guy selling one on this site I thought. Good luck

[Smossy]

It will work great. You will actually get some surprising speeds with 5 horses. Just make sure your boats weighted in the front or you could wind up going for a swim I use a 2 1/2 horse trolling moter i think it is for our 17 foot canoe and 12 foot john boat. Works good enough for me. Dont think id run it in the sound tho, doubt i could fight currents with it, then again it IS a trolling moter lol not a normal moter. For lakes its fantastic though. Atleast for me and my girl. Gonna get a 2-3 horse moter eventually for the john boat so we can actually get somewhere in no tim. Our flat bottom john boats only rated for like 400bs i think though

[C-Money]

I use a 6hp on my 12ft aluminum boat. Done so for 20 years. Every trip I wished I had saved up a few more bucks for the 9.9. The 6hp got the job done, and got me to shore many time when an unexpected storm blew in, but I sure always wished I had the 9.9. The 6hp won't plane out, it just plows slowly threw the water. In you situation, you will probably just get the job done with the 5hp, but be prepared to wish for a bigger motor every time you go out!

[duckmen1]

I think I will save for the 9.9. I like the propane Lehr motors because you don't have to deal with the ethonal and carborator or spark plug build up. You have no choke/priming to deal with. To winterize just simply unscrew your tank. Sounds much simpler for a guy that's not to big on dealing with stuff on motors. Propane is also cheaper than gas to run and you will have less servicing with this because of things like I mentioned.

[Smossy]

I think I will save for the 9.9. I like the propane Lehr motors because you don't have to deal with the ethonal and carborator or spark plug build up. You have no choke/priming to deal with. To winterize just simply unscrew your tank. Sounds much simpler for a guy that's not to big on dealing with stuff on motors. Propane is also cheaper than gas to run and you will have less servicing with this because of things like I mentioned.

Great point, Didnt even know those existed, Might have to look into one myself 

[duckmen1]

Ya the 9.9 are running 2700 to 3100 depending on it you get long or short shaft. Electric or manual pull start.
If things are this simple I will just get the manual pull and save 350 dollars.
It will be a couple months before I can get it though. Have to finish up some taxidermy bills and get all the fishing and hunting licenses and apps done.

[Bullkllr]

So, you're not even considering a used but reliable 2stroke/4stroke 9.9 for a grand or well under?

They're really pretty simple.

[lokidog]

A neighbor swears by his Tohatsus.  Not a bad price.  I also think a 5hp is way too small for a 16' boat.

http://www.boats.net/outboard_motor/Tohatsu/parts.html

[Kola16]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,120600.0.html

I like Johnsons 

[lokidog]

 

I had an 87 and have a 93 15hp, they are good engines! 

[gaddy]

been kind of watching this one. any particular reason you are set on these size mo's? hp restricted waters ? how wide a beam is your jon boat & how much weight are you typically going to have on board? i run a 25 on my 14' v-hull.

[lokidog]

been kind of watching this one. any particular reason you are set on these size mo's? hp restricted waters ? how wide a beam is your jon boat & how much weight are you typically going to have on board? i run a 25 on my 14' v-hull.

I think his biggest concern is budget.

I've used a 15 on a v-hull 14' with good effect, until I put two people, a dog and camping gear in it.  Wish I had a 25 for that boat then.