5 horse on 16"johnboat

[duckmen1]

I am on a budget, want a reliable motor that I know will work when I go, which makes me nervous buying it used, and really like the idea to make things more simple and cheaper to run. I also don't want to deal with the states boating education card because there are several different users using the boat and we would all have to get that to run it. Depending on whose using the motor.
I would defanitly like a big motor and to buy it used for the cost savings, but I am hesitant doing so.
I also was told I need a long shaft motor because the depth of the boat.

[duckmen1]

I also did look at the tohatsu motors and that is pretty good prices lokidog. I will keep it in mind.
Good price on the Johnson too but not sure I want to go that old on a motor and it is all the way across the state from me too.

[bear hunter]

I am on a budget, want a reliable motor that I know will work when I go, which makes me nervous buying it used, and really like the idea to make things more simple and cheaper to run. I also don't want to deal with the states boating education card because there are several different users using the boat and we would all have to get that to run it. Depending on whose using the motor.
I would defanitly like a big motor and to buy it used for the cost savings, but I am hesitant doing so.
I also was told I need a long shaft motor because the depth of the boat.

You don't need a boater ed card if you keep the motor under 15 hp

[duckmen1]

That's why I don't want a 15 horse

[gaddy]

whats the problem with getting the boater ed card? bolth my boys got em & can run anything i own. not than im for additional registrations, but it does teach boating saftey & rules of the road so to speak.

[duckmen1]

I just don't want to worry if someone I know wants to use the boat and hasn't taken it. Cost of the boat Ed card, which isn't to big of deal, but mainly I can't afford a large motor anyways.

[Bullkllr]

Sounds like you have your mind made up.
Depending on the beam and weight of your boat, and load, you'll likely be well under-powered with a 9.9. Good troller. Be ok on lakes, maybe near shore calm waters in the Sound with little tidal current. Not going to be able to do a whole lot of traveling. Jon boats are not made for that, anyway.

[duckmen1]

The front is semi v haul so that helps
After nothing but a trolling motor I think I will show a big difference to me.

[fish vacuum]

I've worked out of 16' Jons with 9.9 to 25-horse outboards. With a 9.9 it would move ok with a load of 3 people plus gear, but it wouldn't plane. With a light load it would plane off but still wasn't quick. I would not go smaller than 9.9.

[snocohunter]

I agree with everyone, get at least a 9.9. Just ask saltwaterhillbilly on here about the limitations though. He bought a 9.9  for his 14ft boat, went out duck hunting with him on a windy day and couldn't make it out of the mouth of the skagit. We were getting swamped it wouldnt get on plain at all. I wouldn't trust a 9,9 out on the sound on a boat that size personally. It can turn so nasty so quickly. I've had some *censored*ty days getting back in with a 25 on a 14 ft Jon boat before. 9 and we would have been really screwed.

[turkeyfeather]

I had a 12 footer with an 8 hp and I wouldn't have went any smaller. 

[Kc_Kracker]

no, i had a 5 on a 9' and it was about 8 knots. its get a 9.9 at the least or a 15 

[hunt_fish]

Sounds like you have your mind made up.
Depending on the beam and weight of your boat, and load, you'll likely be well under-powered with a 9.9. Good troller. Be ok on lakes, maybe near shore calm waters in the Sound with little tidal current. Not going to be able to do a whole lot of traveling. Jon boats are not made for that, anyway.

Yeah I wouldn't do a 5 hp.  We were out on our 14 foot aluminum, or maybe it was our old 12 foot aluminum boat at Goose Island years ago with a 9.9 when a storm blew in.  Let's just say if it wasn't for the fiberglass boat that was running by the dam, we wouldn't have made it back to the launch.

[Bofire]

The boater ed card kicks in OVER 15 hp not at 15. I have a 15 on a 14 WC lund, with me and stuff it planes well, with more folks it takes longer to plane, full boat it will not plane.
Carl

[lokidog]

An underpowered, overloaded boat is a sure way to increase your chances of having an incident occur.  Just take the online boater safety class, and have anyone else that might use your boat do the same, even if you only have a 15 on it!  I took the class when I was 12, and had to do it in person.  I am positive the WI class was tougher than the online one here.

That 1980's 15 is probably a good deal, those engines are easy to work on if needed and a lot lighter than the four strokes of today.  I have a 93 Johnson, which is pretty much the same as an 87, it has spent a couple of months on the bottom of the Newaukum River as well as being submerged several times in the salt and with a little cleaning, still runs great.

If you are on the sound, or in a river, you need to be able to deal with ALL conditions.