lid wrote:
On Tue, 06 Nov 07 10:38am CST, "JoeSpareBedroom"
my motor's a tiller model. So, I'm in the stern along with the battery.
That raises the bow (affecting visibility) under certain conditions

Which certain conditions? Conditions other than planning?

On Tue, 06 Nov 07, 4:41pm CST, Wayne.B wrote:
You can probably fix that issue by installing a Doel-fin (whale tail)
on the cavitation plate. I just put one on my 20 hp Honda and it made
a huge difference.

What type boat do you have it on? I have a 20hp Honda that I've been
using on a 16' planning dory. Not sure about the boat weight but I'm
thinking 400-450 lbs. Even at top end, the bow is too high so I've
considered Doel Fins. Problem is, I'll also want to use it on a 14',
225lb skiff. I haven't tried the Honda on the skiff yet but I'm
thinking I shouldn't have a bow trim problem with that one. Soooo....I
wouldn't want Doel Fins for that. Not sure what I'll do (or not do) at
this point.

As for the original question, I agree with Wayne. I can't think of an
outboard at 14hp or 13, 12, or 11 for that matter. I think 9.9 hp is
the most you'll find without exceeding the hp recomendation. You'll
have lots of choices at 9.9 and, with the right prop, that should push
a 12 footer along smartly. On the other hand, it depends on what you
want to do with it. A 5 or 6hp will shove it along well too, but just
not as fast. Maybe you can borrow a motor from someone just to get an
idea what you want.

Rick

I would skip the single cylinder models and get the 8HP or 9.9HP. They
are much smoother motors.

On Nov 6, 4:38 pm, Dan intrceptor@gmaildotcom wrote:


I would skip the single cylinder models and get the 8HP or 9.9HP. They
are much smoother motors.

Thanks, that's the kind of info I need. These tips will save me from
learning the hard way.
-Paul

On Nov 6, 3:45 pm, wrote:


As for the original question, I agree with Wayne. I can't think of an
outboard at 14hp or 13, 12, or 11 for that matter. I think 9.9 hp is
the most you'll find without exceeding the hp recomendation. You'll
have lots of choices at 9.9 and, with the right prop, that should push
a 12 footer along smartly. On the other hand, it depends on what you
want to do with it. A 5 or 6hp will shove it along well too, but just
not as fast. Maybe you can borrow a motor from someone just to get an
idea what you want.


Thanks for the info. I wasn't sure how much power was needed to get a
12' boat planing. I'm pretty good at searching the internet, but
couldn't find any guidelines on outboard hp selection.

If 6 hp will get it moving, and 15 hp is beyond the boat's rating, 9.9
hp sounds like a good choice.
-Paul

On Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:10:46 -0800, "Paul G."
wrote:

If 6 hp will get it moving, and 15 hp is beyond the boat's rating, 9.9
hp sounds like a good choice.

It should go pretty well with a 9.9 if you don't load it down too
much. I'd recommend a Doel-fin if it is slow to get on plane. I've
become a believer since I got mine.

On Nov 6, 8:14?am, "Paul G." wrote:
I have a 12' fiberglass boat that is rated for "up to 14 hp". What's
a practical size outboard for this boat? Should I go for the max or
what? Thanks,
-Paul

What do you want to do with it?

If speed is a high priority, go for the larger motor.

Be aware that if this is an older boat, that 14HP designation was
likely made with a 2-stroke in mind. Four stroke engines are heavier,
so from a weight standpoint you may want to back off on the max HP if
you're gong to use a four stroke.

You can move the boat with a very small outboard, beyond that it's a
question of how important you think speed will be.

On Nov 6, 6:21 pm, Chuck Gould wrote:
On Nov 6, 8:14?am, "Paul G." wrote:

I have a 12' fiberglass boat that is rated for "up to 14 hp". What's
a practical size outboard for this boat? Should I go for the max or
what? Thanks,
-Paul

What do you want to do with it?

If speed is a high priority, go for the larger motor.

Be aware that if this is an older boat, that 14HP designation was
likely made with a 2-stroke in mind. Four stroke engines are heavier,
so from a weight standpoint you may want to back off on the max HP if
you're gong to use a four stroke.

You can move the boat with a very small outboard, beyond that it's a
question of how important you think speed will be.

Thanks, that's useful info. Speed is not a big deal, but I do want to
get it planing efficiently. I hadn't thought about the weight issue,
it is 25 yr old or so Sears fiberglass 12' boat. Sounds like the 9.9
hp would be OK, and I know some lakes around here limit boats to under
10 hp.
-Paul