Motor for a 16' aluminum boat

[Guest rockstar]

Hello. My apologies for not posting often enough on this forum although i do lurk regularly.

I just purchased a 16' aluminum boat to get ready for spring/summer. The boat didn't come with a motor. It is a regular ol' silver aluminum deep and wide boat on a trailer.

I need to pick up a motor for it. I'm wondering what size of outboard motor would be good for a boat this size? I'll be going on Arrow Lake which can get really rough so I don't want something too small but then again I don't need a speed demon either. Just lookign for something just right. Would a 20hp do it? i also assume I'll need a long-shaft?

Thanks for your help!

[DJL66 5]

Rockstar I had a 16' Alumacraft lunker with floor and livewell with a 25hp Merc 2 stroke long shaft. I was able to get her up to 28mph by myself and with 2 people 25mph. Hole shot was very good as well. I forget what size and pitch the prop was though. It was a great set up and never felt I needed anything bigger on the back as I rarely had more than 3 people on board. It was rated for a 40hp and if I had more than 2-3 people all the time I think that would have been a better choice.

[arvey 154]

i have a 14 1/2 ft alumnicraft ,it has floor live well raised deck in the front with a 40 . i know this is no comparison to yours but i would say a 20 is to small, once you put all your gear and a partner or 2 in it. i would say 30 or better. just my veiw.

arvey

[Some Old Guy 968]

Does it still have the plate listing the max size of HP you could put on it? I would recomend what the plate says.

Roger

[Guest rockstar]

Thanks for the replies. It has a 15" transom and it looks like the plate says it is rated 25hp .. thanks again!

[mike sawatsky 0]

Hello Rockstar

A 15" transom is a short shaft. I work at North Country Cycle and Sports and in our experience we would not recommend going bigger than a 20hp if you go with a 4 stroke. What we have found is that because the 25 4 stroke is so heavy that the transom sits too low in the water and you have a lot of water come over the back of the boat.

If you want to go 2 stroke a 20 or 25 would be great.

Mike

[brookiebuster 117]

Id say go the biggest the boat can handle.A 25hp 2 stroke would be just fine.I have a 14' deep Lund with a 20hp.That setup flies even with 2-3 people and gear.

[Guest Fitch]

You need to measure the transom to where the motor mounts. It will be a 15" or 20". This will determine the whether you need a short shaft or long shaft motor. 25hp 2 stroke usually works nice if it is the deep wide model.

[WalleyeWayne 137]

My recommendation would be 25hp unless you intend on pulling the kids around the lake on tubes or skis (if light enough). A 25hp will pull the tube - but not real exhilarating for the kids. A 40hp would be better for that. As for gas, of course a 25hp would be better and provide sufficient power in rougher waters.