1987 Grumman Jon boat - refit/repair

[EngineNoO9]

Finally talked my dad into letting me long term borrow his boat last year and this year he ended up giving it to me. It’s a 1987 Grumman Jon boat with a 1988 Johnson 15hp tiller motor on it. Boat overall is in good shape and motor was gone over 2 years ago and is still in excellent shape. I’m going to run out as is this year bit am planning for some repairs likely this winter. Want to replace the transom a it’s squishy. There’s some cracks in the weld on each side of the transom cover. Other plans after fixing that are to maybe do a side console on it and a bow mounted trolling motor. Already have an old stern mounted one.

If I get really crazy I may look for a larger motor around 25hp (it’s rated for 35) but this 15hp runs just fine. Seems a shame to swap it.

 

[turbotodd]

if you put a side console on it, get a bigger motor. That 15hp won't like the weight and where the weight will be placed. Also remember that the trolling motor is about 50lb or so, just adds even more weight. IF it's got a 35hp rating, run 35hp, if you can find one. Always run at the rated HP if possible. 35hp is oddball nowadays. May have to back up to a 30hp. Generally speaking most side console hulls have a little higher HP rating than a tiller steered boat does; so it's possible that the same hull with a 35hp rating tiller might have a 40hp rating with a side console.

Repairing the transom is a project. Not impossible by any means, but it's time consuming.

 

[eeshaw]

I'd address the cracks and transom before hanging a different motor. Adding a heavier motor will only aggravate the cracking. When the transom is replaced the cracks can then be addressed at the same time, then the motor hung. I'd think about adding the side console. It will eat up a little of your floor space and in a 14 foot boat, that's premium space.