What size outboard for my Boat???

[TedBull]

I could use the advice of boat owners here. I have no expieriance with outboard motors so I have no idea what size I need. I have a 8' livingston that I have been using a 55# minn kota to scoot it along on the smaller lakes wich works great, not so much on the larger lakes. I want to get a inexpensive, used, and lightweight as possible 2 stroke outboard to use on rivers with tides and larger lakes. So, what is a good size? I know bigger is better but price and size are a concern so I need something that will do the job well but not cost a fortune and wont be too heavy for my small boat.

[Marc Martyn]

Livingston says a 5hp max on the 8'. Don't go any bigger.

http://www.livingstonboats.com/boats_75.html

Check the marinas and Craigs List. Years ago, Merc made a great little 4 hp motor. I had a 4 hp Johnson and it was the hardest starting motor I ever owned. It only had a few hours on it when I got it. Ran great, but it would beat you to death getting it started.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/boa/2590788794.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/2589069951.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2577897494.html

[TedBull]

Livingston says a 5hp max on the 8'. Don't go any bigger.

http://www.livingstonboats.com/boats_75.html

Check the marinas and Craigs List. Years ago, Merc made a great little 4 hp motor. I had a 4 hp Johnson and it was the hardest starting motor I ever owned. It only had a few hours on it when I got it. Ran great, but it would beat you to death getting it started.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/boa/2590788794.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/2589069951.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2577897494.html

Mine is a older model and rated for up to 6HP. Thanks for the links, I already looked at all those LOL. Hoping that someone with the same boat might chime in. I have seen a couple 8' livingstons or sorensons running up and down the Snohomish, Seems like they had some serous HP going on planning with the bows way out of the water. Dont know what they had for HP. 5HP seems like a decent amount.

I WANT MY LITTLE BOAT TO DO THIS- Watch: hSufUWimFHM&feature=related

Just kidding, but that is awsome.

I keep coming back to this one, It is just a cool little motor. I like vintage. http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2582289985.html

[Marc Martyn]

I once had a 1952 Wards Sea King. It seemed to run pretty good. I rope started it because I couldn't find a recoil spring for it. Getting parts can be a hassle sometimes.

[hewesfisher]

I keep coming back to this one, It is just a cool little motor. I like vintage. http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2582289985.html

Vintage is cool for a vintage boat, but I wouldn't want one of those. It's direct drive with no neutral or reverse. I don't know if you could use an external tank with that one, and if not, your range would be limited to the capacity of the motor mounted tank. Not something I'd want for your stated purpose of running on tide influenced rivers and larger lakes. I would also prefer the quiet, smoke-free, fuel efficient benefits of a small 4-stroke over a 2-stroke anyday.

['OL GREY DOG]

another thing is ... more 'n more places (and a LOT more to come) you cant run those old smoke'n stink'n motors that leave a big 'ol oil slick everywhere ya go !!! .... like mine lololol.... DOG

[Toni]

Livingston says a 5hp max on the 8'. Don't go any bigger.

http://www.livingstonboats.com/boats_75.html

Check the marinas and Craigs List. Years ago, Merc made a great little 4 hp motor. I had a 4 hp Johnson and it was the hardest starting motor I ever owned. It only had a few hours on it when I got it. Ran great, but it would beat you to death getting it started.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/boa/2590788794.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/2589069951.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2577897494.html

Mine is a older model and rated for up to 6HP. Thanks for the links, I already looked at all those LOL. Hoping that someone with the same boat might chime in. I have seen a couple 8' livingstons or sorensons running up and down the Snohomish, Seems like they had some serous HP going on planning with the bows way out of the water. Dont know what they had for HP. 5HP seems like a decent amount.

I WANT MY LITTLE BOAT TO DO THIS- Watch: hSufUWimFHM&feature=related

Just kidding, but that is awsome.

I keep coming back to this one, It is just a cool little motor. I like vintage. http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2582289985.html

One year at Harts lake just before the lowland lake opener I saw a livingston (longer than yours) almost flip over when the guy gave it the gas. Be careful. Make sure weight is distributed up front too.

[Lotech Joe]

Seems like Craigs List is THE place to look. I'd like to have this one for my 12' jon boat.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2590305637.html

[TedBull]

I keep coming back to this one, It is just a cool little motor. I like vintage. http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/2582289985.html

Vintage is cool for a vintage boat, but I wouldn't want one of those. It's direct drive with no neutral or reverse. I don't know if you could use an external tank with that one, and if not, your range would be limited to the capacity of the motor mounted tank. Not something I'd want for your stated purpose of running on tide influenced rivers and larger lakes. I would also prefer the quiet, smoke-free, fuel efficient benefits of a small 4-stroke over a 2-stroke anyday.

I hear you on the 4 stroke, I switched over my dirtbikes to 4 stroke. But, the 2 stroke outboard motors are much lighter than the 4 stroke correct? And, trying to find a 4 stroke in my price range(couple hundred) is probaby impossible. I just need something to get me going. As far as range, I could just bring a gas can.

Seems like Craigs List is THE place to look. I'd like to have this one for my 12' jon boat.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2590305637.html

I was also looking at this one. There is another one of these basicly unused on craigs also.

[hewesfisher]

But, the 2 stroke outboard motors are much lighter than the 4 stroke correct? And, trying to find a 4 stroke in my price range(couple hundred) is probaby impossible. I just need something to get me going. As far as range, I could just bring a gas can.

Yep, the 2-strokes will be lighter, but don't overlook 'Ol Grey Dog's comments, I'd hate to hear you get a 2-stroke only to find out they are banned, or soon will be, on your favorite places to fish. It's coming, all just a matter of time.

Seems like Craigs List is THE place to look. I'd like to have this one for my 12' jon boat.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2590305637.html

I saw that one, and many, many more. Lots of them in TedBull's price range too.

[Fish_Bait111397]

A 75 HP merc will push you right along.

[Marc Martyn]

A 75 HP merc will push you right along.

.....into the morgue.

[TedBull]

Man I want a bigger boat. I will keep my livingston for the small lakes, but have had second thoughts about buying a outboard for it just so I can hit the rivers. I guess I will just keep fishing the banks or wait to get invited on somebodys boat. It just sucks to fish the bank and watch the guys in the boats sitting in the sweet spot and just nailing them.

[Bscman]

I had a 10ft livingston a few years ago, and I'll tell you this...
If your boat can handle a 6 horse...get a 6 horse...

IIRC, mine was rated up to 10hp and I threw on a 6hp I got for a song. It did alright, but I complained regularly about it's giddy-up. I wish I would've gone 9.9hp...and I'd be much better off now, with my currect setup as well!

Livingston's aren't the lightest boats, and once you add an adult or two (or a kid or two) plus gear, you'll wish you had more motor. You can always throttle back a little to slow down...ya can't get any more that wide open with a smaller motor!

Now...my 90's 6-horse 2stroke evinrude is on my 12ft harborcraft aluminum-V and it'll plane with just my 210lb self, and ALL my gear. With 2 adult men, it'll still scoot up the skagit just fine for pinks and silvers.

I tried a 5hp Mariner on the same boat, and it wouldn't even plane with a 160lb driver and no gear.
So if your next step is something similar, you'd probably be happier with the 6hp at least to save a few bones, and maybe *just get by* with the same motore on a larger boat.

I see late 80's to late 90's 6hp 2 strokes regularly for $300-400 in good condition.
I'm a fan of mine, because its a twin cylinder, so it's fairly smooth...still very light and easy to carry...You won't find any twin cylinder 4 or 5hp motors.

As for the 2strokes being banned...
Yes, it's coming...but if you're in the market for a sub $500 used outboard...who cares. If it lasts a season or three, it was money well spent IMHO. Use it as long as you can, and use the trolling motor when you can't. Save the big bucks for an outboard on your NEXT boat...

Wow, it's been a long day...did that even make sense?