Northwest Fishing Reports

I want to purchase a outboard motor and was wondering if 5 horse would be enough on my boat. I plan on mainly using in lakes but also in spring and summer on nice days want to go to the sound. I want to stay away from the 15 horse because of extra requirements and the 9.9 is a little much in cost.
I just want to know if this is enough for the sound on nice days. I'm not trying to break record speeds but want to at least be able to get half a mile to a mile from the launch in decent time.
I was looking at the lehr motor. They are propane and I know they cost more but they seem really nice.
Thanks for any advice

assuming your boat is probably pretty light you should be fine with a 5hp on lakes on calm days. I wouldn't try the sound with a "underpowered" boat or even the lakes when the weather starts to kick up. Just yesterday I was on lake stevens with my boat and it went from glass calm to 2ft white caps in about 5 minutes. It was all my little 4 horse motor could do to push that boat back across the lake and keep me outta trouble. I also have a 9 horse motor but try to leave it at home as much as possible because of the extra wieght on a little boat. But sometimes that extra wieght and the extra cost can come in pretty handy to get you out of a jam.

Now a 5hp motor will maybe push your boat 4 mph. So going a mile and a half would be a haul. And a really long haul if any kid of weather would come up. I would go with a 9.9 or even a 15. But that's just me.... I'm sure a few other people will offer some input on this as well

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Power boats less than 16' in length and used on federal waterways (Puget Sound is a federal waterway) REQUIRE registration regardless of motor hp - http://boat.wa.gov/register.asp.." onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

To navigate, operate, employ, or moor your vessel in Washington, you must have a Washington title, registration card, and registration decals, except:

If your vessel is a canoe, kayak, or a vessel not propelled by a motor or sail.
If your vessel is less than 16 feet in length and has a motor of 10 horsepower or less and is used on non-federal waters only.
If your vessel is properly registered by a resident of another state or country who uses Washington waters for 60 days or fewer.

The only extra requirements you'll escape with motors less than 15hp are those of the WA Boater's Education Card.

I think that a 9.9 will do on my boat. It sounds like the five horse won't be enough. As far as the sound goes I braved it with a trolling motor 55 lb thrust on 10-15 mile an hour winds. Went quiet always out and down from where I launched and the boat handled it just fine. I was under powered of course with the motor but I was able to fish for four hours. My John boat is deeper sides than some so I have that going for me. I don't want to deal with the wa boaters card that's why I don't want the 15. Gfakkema that's a good thought, but not sure if that will work on the motors I'm looking at. With what you guys are saying I might just be more patient and save for the 9.9.

Fishingadam wrote:.... I'm not trying to break record speeds but want to at least be able to get half a mile to a mile from the launch in decent time......

Based on this and other things, one more vote as to why you should hold out for a larger OB. I push my 12' alum. around with a 4hp Evinrude and have taken it on the Sound (close to shore) on calmer days. It certainly does the job, but I cannot get up on plane and it seems like it takes forever and a day to go any distance. Someday I want to trade up to a 9.9hp. It'll really cut down on the time it takes to get from point A to point B, which is valuable fishing time!

Your right on that. I lie to get the most out of fishing days.

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Fishingadam wrote:I think that a 9.9 will do on my boat. It sounds like the five horse won't be enough. As far as the sound goes I braved it with a trolling motor 55 lb thrust on 10-15 mile an hour winds. Went quiet always out and down from where I launched and the boat handled it just fine. I was under powered of course with the motor but I was able to fish for four hours. My John boat is deeper sides than some so I have that going for me. I don't want to deal with the wa boaters card that's why I don't want the 15. Gfakkema that's a good thought, but not sure if that will work on the motors I'm looking at. With what you guys are saying I might just be more patient and save for the 9.9.

Honestly, I'm not sure I understand not wanting to deal with the boaters card being the only reason to go smaller. All it requires is a couple or three hours of your time, and furthermore you might get something useful out of it. Not to mention that in the long run, you will be saving yourself time with the bigger motor. But I have to ask, where exactly did you take your jon out of with the electric?

Fishingadam wrote:I think that a 9.9 will do on my boat. It sounds like the five horse won't be enough. As far as the sound goes I braved it with a trolling motor 55 lb thrust on 10-15 mile an hour winds. Went quiet always out and down from where I launched and the boat handled it just fine. I was under powered of course with the motor but I was able to fish for four hours. My John boat is deeper sides than some so I have that going for me. I don't want to deal with the wa boaters card that's why I don't want the 15. Gfakkema that's a good thought, but not sure if that will work on the motors I'm looking at. With what you guys are saying I might just be more patient and save for the 9.9.

Why would you want risk your life and possibly the lives of those that are sent to rescue you. A boaters card is nothing but helpful and worth the ten bucks and couple hours time it takes to get one. Hitting the water in an underpowered boat is just short of foolish. Should you make a trip to the dry side of the mountains you wouldn't be the first one to be rescued and towed to shore when the weather turns foul. I carry a tow rope in my boat for such a reason and you wouldn't be the first to hook on. Please use your head and at least try to be safe out there.

As far as a 5hp being enough power on your boat or not. Sounds like you have a good idea of the performance you can expect from it. Based on that, and the max recommended Hp of your boat (Which is found on a coast guard tag, usually riveted to the inside of your aluminum boat). I would use your knowledge of the 5hp, and the max rating for your boat as a guide.



Who Needs the Card? (found at: http://www.boat-ed.com/washington/boating_law.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

Washington's boater education law requires all boaters 40 years of age and under operating a powered watercraft of 15hp or greater to take a safety education course and obtain a Boater Education Card to operate a boat in Washington.
Exemptions

Your vessel has an engine that is under 15hp.
Your age group does not yet require a Boater Education Card.
You were born prior to January 1, 1955.
You hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard Marine Operator's License.

If your trying to avoid the card by keeping the outboard below 15hp. I wouldn't fret it. I don't need the card for 3 more years. But passed the course hmmmmmm...........maybe 5 years ago. To get it out of the way. It is free to take the test. $10 bucks after you pass, to get your boaters license.

I would add, for getting around. Crabbing and what not. A 15 would be better. Bring your electric for backup.

I use a 9.9 2 smoke on my 17ft aluminum. But it is the kicker that sits beside its big brother. Which is a 85hp. My boat's dry weight with 85hp is 1100lbs. Yours is maybe 300lb dry, without a motor. Add a 9.9 and your at 375lb.

I use the 9.9 to fish with. But not to find the crab pots. Or zip on back to the boat ramp to p/u a guest. Or move to other fishing grounds. A wild guess would say your top speed with a 9.9 might be 15mph. Which is pretty good for getting around. Put 2 or 3 people in your boat, and a 15 would be much better, and keep at that 15mph range. I get just under 8mph, top speed with two in the boat.

My take is, if the boaters card is something you want to avoid, stick with the electric, you'll be just fine.... Along with everyone else.

Any underpowered boat is asking for trouble on the sound or a big lake. An under powered SMALL BOAT is like trying to fulfill a death wish when the weather unexpectedly changes and you were an hour away from the launch when the water was smooth now you are two hours away and saying your prayers. In my opinion power your boat no less then half the rated hp based on the plate attached to it and get your boaters card.

Like I said......

i have a 2.5 on my 14ft starcraft as a kicker for trolling and it pushes at 4-5mph at full throtle

many, many years ago ( 1949-1950) we fished the Columbia river, from where the bridge is now out to about buoy 10 in a 16 ft wooden boat, powered by a 5 hp Johnson. Dad was very good on the water, also we fished with 5 in the boat. We camped on the beach close to the bridge area, but I just cant remember for sure where. But I can remember it was not a real good time , but we caught a lot of fish. we had no problems with the power, but didn't get anywhere in a hurry................

I have a 16 ft. Lowe 1648mt flat bottom. For power I have a 9.9 Merc 4stroke Bigfoot. With lots of gear and 2 people, It does 12 mph. It was necessary to change props for high altitude. I've taken my boat through Deception Pass on 2 occasions. I've also hit big lakes with it.( Yellowstone and Banks) You have to Know what the boat can handle and know what the weather is supposed to do. A 5 horse is asking for trouble. 9.9 is bare minimum for your boat.

stryker17 wrote:many, many years ago ( 1949-1950) we fished the Columbia river, from where the bridge is now out to about buoy 10 in a 16 ft wooden boat, powered by a 5 hp Johnson. Dad was very good on the water, also we fished with 5 in the boat. We camped on the beach close to the bridge area, but I just cant remember for sure where. But I can remember it was not a real good time , but we caught a lot of fish. we had no problems with the power, but didn't get anywhere in a hurry................

that sounds exactly like what I had planned to do years ago when I first moved to WA. I had a 16 ft wooden sailboat that I took the mast off and had a 5 HP motor to run it around. I would have likely been swept out to sea...
Sometimes I wonder how I got to 54...

Ya know what.....I've done my share of crazy stunts like going through the Tacoma Narrows in a 12 footer "Numerous Times" and have been extremely lucky. There is no such thing as being over cautious.

What is it about 12 footers? I spent some good times out salmon fishing out of Shilshole in a 12 footer. Some times with a 3hp motor. So, rough out there. That very few boats were fishing with me. So rough, it was unsettling to sit on the seat, due to heavy listing back and forth.

I seemed to have one hand on the side of the boat most of the time, to stay centered in my seat. Finally sat on the floor to lower the center of gravity, and stabilize the boat. Put on some rain gear do to the splash coming over the rail. Once on the floor, my comfort level was back within a reasonable level, and the hackles on the back of my neck laid down.

Then after several hours on the water a 20lb king decided to come out and play. Hooked it in the nose, which gave the fish enough leverage to keep up a 45 min fight. I tried kneeling on the floor, which was not stable. So fought the fish to the net, whilst on my bum. Must have had the fish just out of netting range many times. Netting and sitting is not the preferred method for landing a fish. Wow those were some good times. That happened back in the early 80's. No life preserver. It is pure dumb luck, that many of us made it to this point, alive.