I cant wait any longer!

[Troublehook]

Well my parents just bought me a used 14' fishing boat with a 4hp outboard. It is becoming quite the project, so thefore I havnt been able to take it out yet, and might not for a while. so my question is how fast do you all think this may go. Sorry if its a stupid question, I just cant wait. Have any of you owned a boat with the same length and engine size? The previous owner said it was able to plain or plane (however you spell it) when he was by himself, or when it was just his wife and their big dog on it. Any guesses?

Thanks for any help.

[marine_man]

It's tough to say for sure... but a 14' boat and a 4hp motor isn't going to get you anywhere in a hurry... depending on how heavy of a boat it is and how wide it is you may have problems getting it to plane. Either way, weight management and the location of that weight is going to be critical.. try and get some weight in the front of the boat.

For comparison sake... my brother had a 12' boat (bench seats, no floor... the basics) with a 8 hp motor... that would plane out with 2 of us, but I doubt it went 10 miles an hour...

Good Luck!

marine_man

[IFallsRon]

If you're alone and just cruising, stick an oar into the motor carrying handle and use it to steer while you sit toward the middle of the boat. You'll get a lot more speed and run on a flatter plane.

[Troublehook]

well none of that sounds too good . I wasnt expecting much and I would like to get a bigger engine, but I dont think thats a possibility right now. The sad thing is I am putting a bunch of time into this boat to make it look nice. I soppose I can keep an eye on the classified ads.

[Down Deep]

I had a 4hp on a 12 foot lund and I would estimate that it would do 10 - 15 mph depending on prop and weight being pushed. The motor I had was Evinrude deluxe long shaft. I took that boat all over the place and a lot of walleyes met thier end.

[lawdog]

You should be thanking your parents and being ecstatic that you have a fishing boat! You don't need a 200 hp Ranger to catch fish. My grandpa caught more fish in his life than I could even begin to imagine and he never had a motor bigger than 25 hp. My mother even skied behind that fishing boat. Good grief, kids these days!!!

[Eckie]

AMEN!

[cold one sd]

The only boat my dad ever had was a 14 footer with a 15 on it. You can get bigger and faster when you are older. Be thankful for what you have.

[Troublehook]

Quote:

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You should be thanking your parents and being ecstatic that you have a fishing boat! You don't need a 200 hp Ranger to catch fish. My grandpa caught more fish in his life than I could even begin to imagine and he never had a motor bigger than 25 hp. My mother even skied behind that fishing boat. Good grief, kids these days!!!

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"Amen"

Clearly you guys don't know me very well.

s

I am EXTREMELY greatful for what I have. B4 I got this boat I was thinking that it would be great to get a canoe! I was just making sure this thing could handle my Dad and I. The reason they bought this boat is because my Dad works out of state and only comes home every other weekend with the exception of a few extended trips. So my Mom is not capable of launching our bigger boat(18' Rinker) but she should be able to launch this, so I can go fishing by myself or with a friend while my Dad is gone. I wasnt expecting a speeding bass boat, just something to get me around. I just wanted to make sure this could do it. I understand why you would say kids these days because I see it myself, since I go to school with them. I'm not saying I'm perfect either, but I do respect my parents and am greatfull for what they provide for me.

Also I am not being lazy with this boat. I have already put in 30 to 40 hard hours into making it into a nice looking boat, and some of my hard earned money into it as well. So there. Not all kids are like that.

[Troublehook]

Quote:

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I had a 4hp on a 12 foot lund and I would estimate that it would do 10 - 15 mph depending on prop and weight being pushed. The motor I had was Evinrude deluxe long shaft. I took that boat all over the place and a lot of walleyes met thier end.

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Good to hear that!

[Ufatz]

When I was young my grandfather bought me a used 14' wooden boat with a lapstrake hull, made by Alexandria Boatworks. We added a little 3-hp Johnson. I scaped and painted and polished that little boat and used it every summer for several years. It didn't go fast but it was comfortable. I would motor along early mornings and have time to think about the day, watch the loons, anticipate the fishing and rig my rod. I did not ZIP to the other end of the lake at 60 mph. I think about that little boat every now and then. Take your time. Enjoy your boat.Watch the loons and catch some fish. If you're lucky you will have many years to run a big boat with a big motor. And maybe someday you'll remember your first little boat too. Relax.