Outboard on a small fishing boat

[Special T]

2 points to consider. 1 on the potholes a 9.9 doesn't need a WN # and tabs 2 since you dont need that  boaters lic under 15 hp the 9.9 is a perfect match.

[Blacklab]

If your not in a hurry 9.9. would be the smallest hp i’d go. Had a 30hp on a 15’ smokercraft perfect fit for me. Topped out at 26mph with me and gear. Imo nobody has ever said they wished they had less power or a smaller boat.  Just sayin

[Bullkllr]

I think it's worth mentioning that there is a lot of variance in 13 foot aluminum boats; in terms of weight, height, motor capacity.

Lighter boat a 6 might be perfect. Heavier boat would be better with more motor...

Then back to the difficult to answer question of is it big enough for water like Potholes Res? Consider weather; time of year; where you're launching; water expanse to cross, etc.

IMO if you want it to work any time- maybe boat and motor need an upgrade.

[Crunchy]

A 6hp will be fine and I wouldnt go bigger than a 9hp.  Heck I fished it in a 10ft boat with a 5hp and never an issue.  Just be cautious of the afternoon wind kick up.  Its fishing not a boat race.

[Alchase]

My 13 ft Smokercraft had a 15 hp 4 stroke Yamaha on it and it was about perfect for that boat.
I could run 26 mph at WOT with my gear and three adults. And troll at 0.5 mph at idle.

And it was stingy on gas.

[lokidog]

I had a 4 hp kicker on my 16' Smokercraft boat and wide open it would push it up to about 5 mph.

I also had a different 14' Smokercraft with a 15 and it would do ok with one guy, but still needed the fin on it to get on plane reliably and was pretty much a displacement hull with more than one guy.

It all depends on how fast you want to get there.  If there is wind or current to deal with, you need more.

Typical boats in the 12-14' range will have at minimum a 9.9 and often a 15 or 25.  I would consider a 15 the minimum unless I only needed to go a hundred yards and was never loaded with people, dogs or gear.  25 would be ideal.

 

I ran a 12' Starcraft with a 15hp, perfect set-up for duck hunting, though not lots of room for decoys with a dog and another huntewr. A 14' Sylvan with the same engine, two people and fishing gear planed fine, but throw camping gear and a dog in it and it plowed like a cow.  A 6hp on a 14' boat will get you there, eventually... getting back, hopefully eventually.

Most 14' should be rated for at least a 25 unless it is flat bottomed or has really low gunwalls.

[scotsman]

Look for a used sp2 stroke mercury 15 hp. Those are GREAT motors. They weigh only 72 pounds which is about the same as a 6 hp 4 stroke and 40 pounds lighter than a 4 stroke 9.9. I ran one that has been flawless for me over 20 years. Easy starting, smooth, reliable and much less expensive. Perfect for boats in the 12’-14’ range.

[lokidog]

Look for a used sp2 stroke mercury 15 hp. Those are GREAT motors. They weigh only 72 pounds which is about the same as a 6 hp 4 stroke and 40 pounds lighter than a 4 stroke 9.9. I ran one that has been flawless for me over 20 years. Easy starting, smooth, reliable and much less expensive. Perfect for boats in the 12’-14’ range.

1993 Johnson 15 weighs 74 pounds, I'd go Johnson before Merc any day, but that's me growing up in WI with Mercs crapping out all around the Johnsons. But that's me, your mileage may vary. 

[jeffro]

I have a 9.9 Honda on my 14’ Lund.
It’ll do 15-18 on plane
Aggressive prop and a fin help a lot.
But I still watch the weather every minute I’m on the water.
First sign of trouble I’m heading for the launch or at least a sheltered cove, beach.