I was doing some looking arond on the net and never came up with a solid answer.

Basically I got a 1252 Jon boat, Yes a wierd sice 12' long by 52" wide. Full aluminum and super light.

It does not have a wieght compacity or hp rating on the boat at all. And I just got a 9.9hp otboard and im trying to figure out if its to big. Dont get me wrong im pretty pumped to see how fast I can get going in this boat with a 10 horse on it. Im kinda actually scared.... 

Anyways back to what I was saying I found something like .65 hp per pound of boat. If this is true Im looking at like a 5 hp for mine. I just does not sond right to me.

What do yo gys think?

Thanks fellas!!

Tony C

I think you'll be fine with a 9.9 on that boat, but I guess you will find out soon for sure!

I have been told that older motors rated their HP at the motor, whereas newer motors are now rated at the prop. If this is true, then your 9.9 might actually be putting out 6-8 at the prop if it is pre 90's model which is a little more comfortable for a boat that light. The only thing I'm thinking you might have an issue with is weight distribution when you are flying solo.

Just let 'er buck and see what happens...I just won't be along for the ride. But really, I agree with Shawn that you'll probably be okay with a 9.9 on there. Heck, Pat puts a 25 hp on a 14 foot jon! That is overkill though, but that's Pat.

Well the initial test run went all in all pretty good.

Shawn you were right on wieght thats for sure. I had some city workers laghing at me because the front of the boat was sitting about a foot and a half off the water haha. When I got the motor fired up it went about straigh vertical and then climbed up on plane. Once it was on plan lights out this boat is fast!!!!

I want to Gps it and get a mph reading because im thinking close to around 20 mph unloaded.

Only problem I seen was I had a pretty good flex on my transom, Looks like the wood was pretty rotten and the aluminum is taking most of the stress. So now its on to replacing that before this weekend.

Anyone kow someone with a cheep boat trailer for sale? I found now with the outboard its a little more of a pain to unload and throw the motor on and off every time.

Hey, did you by chance get a johnson/rude 9.9? I'm reading that the only thing holding that motor back from 15hp is the carburetor from '74 to 80 something models. You can take a carb from a 15hp johnson, slap it on and you're all set. Later years there's a difference in the exhaust assemblies. Not that you need to add another 5 ponies, but it's the approach I might think about taking for the 14'er.

You're in the same boat I was in (no pun intended) with the trailer - It is impossible to find someone selling just the trailer at a reasonable price. You either get full boat/motor/trailer kits, or they want $400 for a 30 year old trailer all rusted out. I was lucky enough to come across a nice one for free :). Keep an eye on C-list for some good deals, Northern tool has a very cheap lightweight (600lb max) trailer kit for $380, I missed out on this trailer with upgrades on clist for $100 because I was 5 minutes too late. There's also a guy on MWF selling what seems to be a decent trailer for $200, this was the one I was going after until the free one presented itself.

I picked up a 9.9 Suzuki/Spirit.

Where are you finding the info on the outboards your looking at? Im trying to find out how the cooling system runs on this spirit. Most have a hose that comes out of the back of the motor to show you its pumping water. For some reason this one does not. And I cant seem to tell where the water pickup is either.

These Suzuki motors are wierd but from what I have heard are a really solid motor.

And yeah shawn I have heard that about the johnson/evinrudes. My old 25hp evinrude was the exact same as the 20hp but for some small stff like the carb and possibly other stuff. Both my evinrdes were real good motors! Except after my 25 overheated and it never ran the same again.

And its fnny you say that about the trailer on MWF. Thats the same gy I got this 9.9 from. I was thinking abot asking him if he will take less but its a nice trailer. I guess if I cant find a cheapy to fix up by duck opener I will maybe buy that one if its still available.

Here's my source of johnson knowledge: http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/OMC/OMC%20info.htm - hope you got time to read!

The motor I picked up last night turned out to be a 1962 10hp seahorse, not a late 70's model 9.9 like the guy had described to me on the phone but for $100 I couldn't go wrong. I hit it pretty lucky with this one, he had a back story about getting this from a friend for his cabin, then they put a gas motor ban on the lake he's at so he couldn't use it. Apparently never got the chance to fire it up but he was told it worked. I left with a pretty uneasy feeling about the deal, but after purging the old gas and a few shots of starter fluid I had this thing purring like a kitten! I know you guys are going to scold me about not seeing it run before buying it, but we met halfway at a gas station and didn't want to fire it up dry. I think him knowing it ran would have increased the price substantially.. so I'm still ok with the gamble! Had it not run, I think I could have recouped my loss by parting it out.

Now that I know it runs, I'm thinking about selling it and putting the money towards a true 9.9/15 as they seem like a solid motor. I'd at least like to get out of the 60's era if I could :).

Does your transom have a center stabilizer? it should have a mount from the floor of the boat to the transom. If not I would go to a welding shop to see what they would charge you to have one done. A 9.9 should be just fine on that boat, I would def not go any bigger though and I wouldnt be goin hammer down on it all the time either. It helps when you have a couple more guys in the boat too... if you put them up ahead of you the weight will keep the boat down plenty. Hope that helped...