20 Horse Motor on a 14ft boat?

[lifesaball18]

Its a 14ft by 42in and is a vee hull. Its rated for up to a 15hp motor. Would a 20 horse work as long as its not opened up fully. How about on a thick hull of a 12' by 52 inch ? As long as I reinforce the transom boards?

 

[Quackrstackr]

Go for it.

Those ratings are many times based on a motor's weight as much as the actual hp it produces. It should be fine on the 14' and maybe even on the 12'.

I bet that 12 footer looks nearly as broad as it does long. :lol:

 

[erau618]

I say go for it. I have a 15 hp on my 1636 and I'm sure that we're over the weight limit, but it still works fine.

Just don't forget to wear your lifejacket when trying it out.

 

[bassboy1]

What is the bottom width on that 14 footer? I am thinking that beam width leans toward a 1432 bottom width. Not saying it can't be done, but the sides of those are low, and you will have a lot of weight in the back. I will be the first to put a motor that exceeds the rating on a boat, but only when I deem it safe to do so. I will err on the side of caution however in many cases, and in this one, I would test it quite a bit, and see how it feels.

 

[lifesaball18]

They are both vee hulls, not flat jons. First is 12' by 52'' second is 14' by 42''
but they do make 1442 jons i do know that.

 

[ben2go]

They are both vee hulls, not flat jons. First is 12' by 52'' second is 14' by 42''
but they do make 1442 jons i do know that.

Are you measuring the width of the inside of the floor or across the gunnels?The floor width is how jons are rated.

 

[lifesaball18]

I am measuring the bottom of the transom for width and for lenght from tip of bow to top of transom and measuring straight. Am i not making myself clear on the dimensions?

 

[Defiant]

I have a 1436 Crestliner that is rated for a 20HP motor you should be fine with a 20 on that boat just do a little testing with it first before you go tearing it up.

 

[ben2go]

I am measuring the bottom of the transom for width and for lenght from tip of bow to top of transom and measuring straight. Am i not making myself clear on the dimensions?

Now I am up on things.A 1442 should have no problems running a 20HP as long as the weight is low.The other thing is how the boat is made.If it's a flimsy boat, like mine,it won't take much to bend the hull.

 

[poolie]

My Alumacraft 1442 is rated for a 25hp, but the transom is pretty seriously beefed up. I would think a 15hp would be fine as long as it feels sturdy once bolted on... but I didn't stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night so what do I know.

 

[CarlF]

Probably ok, just be willing to accept the liability.
In our state, if you get stopped for some other reason or have an accident & your boat is over the HP rating, you are gonna get a ticket. And you insurance will not cover an accident either if your over hp you boat.

 

[sccamper]

I have a 1436 flat jon rated at 20. I agree about the legality. You can be ticketed upon inspection if exceeding max, motor, people, ect.