Looking to purchase a boat, need some opinions.

[wscruiser]

First off, let me say that I'm new to the forum and am looking forward to gathering more info from the experts around here.

We've all heard the saying, "The happiest days in a boat owner's life is the day he buys it, and the day he sells it." I guess I have forgotten what those feeling were like, because after being without a boat for 7 years or so, I looking to jump back into a boat.

The boats that I've owned in the past were always fiberglass or "plastic" (Triumph Boats). So, getting into a "tin" boat will be a new adventure for me.

I've decided to go with a mod-v, 46 to 48 beam, 14 to 16 foot length, tiller steering.

My biggest question is motor size. I've saw several ads on the internet and CraigsList showing 14 foot jon boats with 9.9 and 15 hp motors. I'm a big guy, 6-3 225lbs. What kind of speed could I expect on a combination of a 1448V powered by a 15 Yamaha 4 stroke engine carrying myself, my wife who is 120+ lbs and our fishing gear?

Are the 4 stroke motors worth the extra price?

If the boat is rated for a 25 to 30 hp motor should I lean closer to putting the max size motor on it?

 

[grizzly]

welcome to the site.
tin boats are enjoyable everyday, i think that old saying is in regard to these kind of boats:

i don't know what kind of speed to expect from your setup, but i do know you want every HP you can put on your boat.

good luck with your mods!

 

[ober51]

First off, let me say that I'm new to the forum and am looking forward to gathering more info from the experts around here.

We've all heard the saying, "The happiest days in a boat owner's life is the day he buys it, and the day he sells it." I guess I have forgotten what those feeling were like, because after being without a boat for 7 years or so, I looking to jump back into a boat.

The boats that I've owned in the past were always fiberglass or "plastic" (Triumph Boats). So, getting into a "tin" boat will be a new adventure for me.

I've decided to go with a mod-v, 46 to 48 beam, 14 to 16 foot length, tiller steering.

My biggest question is motor size. I've saw several ads on the internet and CraigsList showing 14 foot jon boats with 9.9 and 15 hp motors. I'm a big guy, 6-3 225lbs. What kind of speed could I expect on a combination of a 1448V powered by a 15 Yamaha 4 stroke engine carrying myself, my wife who is 120+ lbs and our fishing gear?

Are the 4 stroke motors worth the extra price?

If the boat is rated for a 25 to 30 hp motor should I lean closer to putting the max size motor on it?

First, welcome to Tinboats, glad you made it!

I can't answer the speed question, but I think that you made a good choice with 14-16 and a wide beam over 46". I have a T9.9 Yamaha four stroke, and it's awesome. It's also much heavier than the Yammy 8 HP 2 stroke I had not so long ago. I know it's a bigger motor, but many have said 4 strokes are heavier, but much cleaner. I like the idea of being green, but I think you also sacrifice some power, as most say 2 strokes generate more torque. Others can chime in and say for sure. Personally, I would always opt for 4 stroke in the future, as some lakes are moving in that direction (and like I said, I am pretty concious about my carbon footprint). I do have a 25 HP 2 stroke, and boy does it move. That leads me into your last question - if you can afford it, and your area lakes allow it, go for the bigger motor, you can never have too much power, especially on those windy days where heading back to the ramp is your number one priority when chop starts to build.

 

[Jim]

:WELCOME:

Thanks for joining! :beer:

I would get the max motor you can fit and afford.

 

[Specknreds]

Welcome to Tinboats!
I have a 1448 Mod-V Alweld with a 25hp 4-stroke Yammajammer. I run it with a super heavy load (120 quart ice chest {40lbs of ice}, Alum. floor, 9 gals. of gas, TM & battery, I'm 235lbs, and usually the guys I fish with are over 200lbs). Loaded I get 28-29 MPH GPS. I will NEVER own another 2-stroke. I do not want to start another 4 verses 2 stroke debate. I sold a newer 2-stroke Yamaha to get the 4-stroke. I lost maybe 1-2mph but my fuel milage has tripled. I'm running around 90 miles GPS on less than 6 gallons. Plus you do not need to buy 2-stroke oil $$$$$. My opinion is it's better to have too much HP than not enough. Max out the HP if you are able too. You talked about torque, I plane twice as fast with the 4-stroke with a heavy load. On the smaller 4 -strokes, I think that they out perform 2-strokes hands-down! I have 2 props for it. One for 2 people (heavy load) and one for when I'm by myself (I gain 4-5MPH).

 

[CarlF]

My biggest question is motor size. I've saw several ads on the internet and CraigsList showing 14 foot jon boats with 9.9 and 15 hp motors. I'm a big guy, 6-3 225lbs. What kind of speed could I expect on a combination of a 1448V powered by a 15 Yamaha 4 stroke engine carrying myself, my wife who is 120+ lbs and our fishing gear?

Are the 4 stroke motors worth the extra price?

If the boat is rated for a 25 to 30 hp motor should I lean closer to putting the max size motor on it?

I would recommend you go with a 1648 and a 25 or 30 hp (if it is rated for 30). Whatever it is rated for, get at least 90% of that or max.
2 stroke vs 4 stroke? good question. On my next boat, which I intend to buy in the spring, I am leaning towards sticking with a Yamaha 25 hp 2 stroke (or finding a good used 30) because I hunt a lot of shallow water out of my boat, extra weight on the transom is something I donot need.
However, the 4 stroke get fantastic mileage and no oil smoke. If weight is not an issue, go with a 4 stroke.

 

[ben2go]

:WELCOME:

First thing you need to do is forget about beam.Beam is the widest part of the boat.It can be located any where on the boat.The numbers to look at are floor width and length over all (AKA LOA).The smallest boat I would deck would be a 1448 mod V a 1648 would also be good.The best is max horsepower that your hull will allow,but your operational area may determine what your max horsepower will be.My lake's max horsepower rating is 15HP.Check the areas you will be in and set max horsepower to that.You could keep a smaller motor for lakes with a restricted horsepower rating.Also be aware of the new regs on 2 strokes.Some areas (mine) have banned the use of 2 strokes all together,while other areas require 2 strokes to be EPA approved.

 

[cyberflexx]

First off, let me say that I'm new to the forum and am looking forward to gathering more info from the experts around here.

We've all heard the saying, "The happiest days in a boat owner's life is the day he buys it, and the day he sells it."

I disagree with the 2nd part. I was so happy to get my 1st boat, a 1998 Smokercraft PB172 with a 1998 Johnson 50hp and when I sold it in april of this year, I was a little torn up about it. I really didnt want to sell it, I didnt need to sell it, it wasnt costing me anything except insurance and taxes, but I havent used it in over a year, wasnt fishing much since we have 3 small kids and it was sitting at a friends house taking up space and just starting to look bad even though it was covered up. I decided to start fishing more and making time ( by taking time off work and begging the wife to go) I wanted a boat to get to a small lake that is 20 min. from my house, so i can get there quick and be home in a jiffy, now that I am building a small jonboat to bassboat, I really wish I would have kept that Smokercraft, sold the motor, trim and controls and purchased a new 10hp motor, would have saved me alot of trouble.

Anyways... sorry to ramble on and on.. WELCOME to the site!

 

[Deadmeat]

I agree with Cyberflexx. One of the saddest days of my life was the day I sold my beloved Grumman 1542 after having it for 16 years. When I lived in Knoxville I was on that boat at least once a week every week of the year and often more. Getting out on the lake on it was the only thing that kept me sane while writing my Ph.D. dissertation, but when we moved to Atlanta it sat in the garage and never again touched water. Had I known I would once again be moving back to Knoxville I would have kept it. I would love to know how many hours of pleasure I had on that boat and wish I had it back now.

 

[Waterwings]

Welcome Aboard! 8)

 

[taxidermist]

OK I agree get the most HP you can afford, you will be much happier!!!!!!!!

4 strokes are a lot easier on gas lots. I have a 22 ft 36 widetin boat, had a 9.9 2s on it and would use 4 gallons or more every trip. I run up river about 10-12 miles and drift down fishing, sometimes fishing a hole two or three times.

I upped to a 25hp 4 Yamaha and it was fast and still easier on gas. just to much weight for low river conditions.

I now have a 15hp 4 s Merc. its great perfect uses one gallon of gas, starts first time everytime, no blue smoke.

The only problem is another river has a 10hp rule and I am limited and cannot run that river over 100miles because of the 10hp rule.

So look where you fish check the regs and max out the HP !!