School me on boats and motors.

[ghosthunter]

I have a 16 ft boat with electric motors. I got the wife talked into a up grade.

I know nothing about boats or gas motors.

I want a used boat under 20 ft long.  Open deck. Something I can put a blind on and off.

Use will be ducking hunting lakes, some summer trout fishing, and maybe some harbor or cove crabbing.

Three or four hunter max plus dog.

So why would I pick a short or long shaft?
How much free board do I need for sea duck hunting or crabing
What is. The. Smallest engine I can get by with? In salt water. Not into going fast.
Rear transom steering,or console ?

How about trailer? Any advice?

What question did I miss?

Thanks

[Mfowl]

Whats your price point? I'd recommend a used smokercraft freedom in the 18' length with a yamaha 60hp tiller in the drab finish. Super versatile boats with big water capability. Might be difficult to find though.

[hiway_99]

What's your price range?  It will help us give you better advice.  I had an alumaweld super vee that would have worked great for what your talking about.  Mine was a 18' with a 50 horse Yamaha on the back.  Tiller steering is nice if your looming for max room in a smaller boat.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[Badhabit]

1872 Lowe Roughneck. Semi v flst bottom. Gets your duck fix.

[ghosthunter]

Like to stay under 3000.00

My buddy has a 18 ft all open floor, tiller and it works great for ducks and trout.
He won't go in salt though.

[Mfowl]

You're gonna likely be looking for an old jon boat in that price range. Keep an eye on Craigslist. One will pop up before too long. Perhaps an old Valco or Hewescraft sled as well.
 

[fish vacuum]

So why would I pick a short or long shaft?

Shaft length needs to match the transom height of the boat. 15" for short, 20" for long.
Boats in the size you're looking at will most likely take a long shaft.

What is. The. Smallest engine I can get by with? In salt water. Not into going fast.

HP needs will depend on size, weight, and design of the boat. I used to work for a place that had 2 work boats. Our 16ft jon would fly across the water with an 18hp mercury. The heavy 16ft v bottom was a dog with a 30 horse on it.

[ghosthunter]

So why would I pick a short or long shaft?

Shaft length needs to match the transom height of the boat. 15" for short, 20" for long.
Boats in the size you're looking at will most likely take a long shaft.

What is. The. Smallest engine I can get by with? In salt water. Not into going fast.

HP needs will depend on size, weight, and design of the boat. I used to work for a place that had 2 work boats. Our 16ft jon would fly across the water with an 18hp mercury. The heavy 16ft v bottom was a dog with a 30 horse on it.

Didn't know that
thanks

Keep them coming.

[CP]

max speed = 180* sqrt (weight/hp)

That will get you in the ballpark.   180 is a for a V hull - other hulls have different constants but the basic formula still applies once you get on plane.

[Bofire]

my rule of thumb for motors is what ever that tag in the back says is MAX, get that.
Carl

[Curly]

With a $3,000 budget, it is going to be difficult to find something.  Just a motor and trailer would be over $3,000 I would think.  Good luck in your search.

[CP]

For shaft length and motor mounting height you want the anti-ventilation plate slightly below the line of the hull.  Too deep and it creates drag and slows the boat, too high and the prop will suck air from the surface (ventilation, not to be confused with cavitation).

There are many good references on the internet, here’s one:
http://www.boats.com/how-to/the-outboard-expert-boost-speed-with-outboard-engine-height-adjustments/#.WSWpw3rNweE

Prop pitch selection is another issue – you want the one that puts the motor RPM near red line but not over when at WOT. 

Theoretical Speed   = (pitch/gear ratio)*RPM/1056

Actual speed is reduced do to prop slip (about 10% - 15%) for your average boat at WOT

[Gringo31]

 



It seems to me you are looking for a smoking hot girl, that is rich, smart, a good cook....... AND likes you. 

[Buckewe]

https://bellingham.craigslist.org/boa/6145886606.html

A little more than you are looking for but lots of extra parts

[Curly]

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/6145077963.html

Seems like a good boat at a decent price. $9,500 for a 17 footer with 115hp.