Outboard motor on a canoe

[Dan Thiem]

Val or anyone,

I have an old 17' fiberglass canoe that got from the dump. I repaired it and stregthend up the transom.

My question is will an old 7 1/2 horse Firestone motor be too big?

I got the outboard at an auction and it's in excellent condition. It started on the second pull. It runs great but I don't have a little boat to put it on. Ideally I would love a cheap flatbottom but I do have this canoe.

What do you think?

[Fisher Dave]

I would have to say that the 7.5 is really pushing it.. I have seen bigger on some square stern aluminum canoes loaded with gear and 3 people... a 7.5 on your(if it holds) is likely to be one tippy bullet.

I could see something up to a 4 hp.. but thats about as far as I would even attempt on a square stern glass canoe.

There was a cheap 12' boat, motor, and trailer here not too long ago, not sure if its still for sale.. $500 I think.. check the for sale forums.

[ScoutII]

I put a 6hp. Johnson on my 17' Aluma-Craft, when you try to open the throttle a lot of water may enter your canoe from the rear. I tied another canoe on a short rope to the back and I could open the throttle without taking on water. Must hold up the back of the towing canoe. A 4hp. would be a better choice for peace of mind.

[1DIRTBALL]

I use a 6 horse Evinrude on my 17 foot Grumman square stern all the time. If I am in the canoe by myself, it is much safer if I put a 5 gallon pail full of rocks as far forward as I can. Several good sized rocks also will work. You will also have the advantage of better control in any kind of wind. 1DIRTBALL

[Doufish2]

I have a 15' Grumman sport boat that I put a 1957 71/2 Johnson on the back. It it a great small water boat. I also put about 100lbs of weigh up front. It really helps with control. Also have a Minn-kota Autopilot up front. Nice fishing small ponds and small metro lakes.

[Surface Tension]

Dan you already have the canoe and the outboard.

I can tell ya what I'd do. Thats right, GO FOR IT. Plan for the worst and the worst can't happen. So you dump it and you get wet, big deal, you've gone swimming before right.

The 7.5 is going to push a 17 glass canoe real good.

I'll have to add I was a White Water Oarsmens In AK so my idea of fun might be different then yours.

[IFallsRon]

We've run a 6 hp Johnson on an 17-foot a Alumacraft Y-Stearn and Grumman canoes for years with little trouble. You may have to adjust your load for optimal performance. Also, be careful when slowing down so the backwash doesn't come over the back.

[metrojoe]

I've got a 17' Browning Apache that says it's rated for 31/2 horse. I'm sure your 71/2 will work fine, but like the post above cautions, I wouldn't try opening her up unless you don't mind getting wet.

Good luck Dan, let us know how it works.