Motor Size

[teamjack]

Hello, I am new here. I have been kayak fishing for the last ten years. I will still use my kayaks but I now have a Grizzly 1448 boat mainly for the cooler weather and fishing for hybrids on a bigger lake. My question is what motor do I need. The boat is rated for a 25 horse motor. I am considering a 9.9 or 15 horse motor. I would like to keep expenses down. I will generally fish alone but I might fish with a partner occasionally. We would both be over two hundred pounds. I would appreciate some input. Thanks

 

[cva34]

I would guess used 25 in comparable cond./age would be about same price ....cva34

 

[jasper60103]

Do you want it to plane? Some guys here use 9.9 because lakes in their area have hp restrictions. Also, plenty of electric only rigs here too.

 

[shawnfish]

id go with the most hp rated for your boat. you can find an older johnny/rude (70's early 80's) for around 500 bucks if ya do a little searchin, they are great motors if taken care of and very easy to work on if you are somewhat mechanicaly inclined...

 

[teamjack]

I guess my question should have been what will it take to get it on plane. I appreciate the comments. Thanks

 

[CaseyP]

Bass Pro offered a package deal Thanksgiving week, a Grizzly 1448 9.9 Mercury 4-stroke and a trailer for $3995. I'm not sure how well the 9.9 does on it but a 15 would be a good choice, but 25 would be ideal.

 

[shawnfish]

I guess my question should have been what will it take to get it on plane. I appreciate the comments. Thanks

depends on how much the boat,passengers, gear and mods if any weigh, total weight. id say 1 guy and gear could plane with 15hp no problem.

 

[Bugpac]

Buddy has same boat, 15 doesn't plane his. It will run good but not on full plane.

 

[teamjack]

Well that is the information I am looking for. I guess I will wait a bit and go with a bigger motor. I appreciate the comments.

 

[cva34]

Well that is the information I am looking for. I guess I will wait a bit and go with a bigger motor. I appreciate the comments.

You know the only other factor that I don't thik has been addressed is ;is this this motor to be semi-perm mounted or throw boat in water and carry out motor and hang it...In case of latter ,lighter would be better just an afterthought....cva34

 

[CB540]

I have a Grizzly 1448sc and used to run a 15hp Yamaha 2 stroke . It was slow to plane and it would run 18-20mph depending on how heavy the load wide open.Mostly by myself and gear.It was very marginal on power but it did get the job done.But now I run a Yamaha 25hp 2 stroke and its a totaly diffrent boat.30mph all day long,no problems planing and cruises where the 15hp was wide open.Hardly any diffrence with 2 people where as the 15 struggled to plane.My vote is for the 25. Thanks,Chris

 

[tnriverluver]

I have a Tracker 1542 that is rated for 25hp. Put a 1975 25hp Evinrude on it after I first got it and now have a new 20hp 4 stroke Merc. The Merc is actually faster than the old 25. The Grizzly is a much heavier boat however. There is a video on Youtube (not finding it right now) of a 1448 Grizzly or Lowe that is heavy and loaded running a 20hp Tohatsu and it is moving very well.

 

[Gotem]

For that horsepower you should get the largest motor possible unless you are fishing horsepower restricted lakes. I would get a 25 if possible because you never know how many spots you may want to fish (or have to fish) on a large lake in a single day.

 

[steam_mill]

I've got a lowe 1448. Rear mounted Trolling motor, battery, 3 clip on plastic seats and a heavy tackle box. Running it with a Merc 2 strok 9.9. Alone, planes no issue about 23 mph. 2 guys, planes, about 20 mph. 3 guys, I'm done. No planing.

I already had this motor but would have preferred a 15 hp. I won't go to a 20 or 25 because then I'll troll to fast for pickerel fishing.

 

[lovedr79]

I have a grizzly 1448, side console. Get a 25........ I have a 20 that just isn't enough.