Northwest Fishing Reports

Is there a max hp size limit for a outboard on a 14 aluminum boat. I know people that have a 20hp and 25hp. I was looking to get something along that range as well. But the question still ponders me.

I have seen 50-70 horse on 14' jons.

I got a 15 horse on my 14 1/2 ft v Hull. It could handle more but not much more.

The boat is required by law to have a maximum horsepower rating if it is over 16 feet, but since your boat is shorter, it may slip past that regulation. If you go to the USCG's website, there is a calculator based on transom height and width, boat length, and I think another factor or two that offers their maximum hp recommendation.

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That information can be found on a plate attached to the boat. It is a requirement for the mfg to spell out max capacity and max HP. There are many different styles of 14' aluminum boats and their capabilities vary a great deal. If the plate is missing, contact the mfg with the model and they should be able to provide you with the right info.

G-Man wrote: There are many different styles of 14' aluminum boats and their capabilities vary a great deal.

My thoughts exactly. Depending upon the degree of the berth, the beam, and other factors, the boat will be rated for different sized engines. In that size class I would say 15hp is about perfect, but 25 should be fine. Consider that if you are going to do any trolling you don't want to be adding a second motor to the transom if you can avoid it, that's too much weight back there! The good thing about the 15hp is that it will get up on plane and push you along at 10-15mph AND you can just idle it back and troll with ease.

I had a mid 80's Hewescraft 14' and it was rated at 25hp.

neighbor has a 14' alum. and it is rated for a 25hp

I have a 16' and have a 40hp Honda. Its rated for a 50. I had a 15 duraboat with a 25 hp evinrude. My 14' had a 15 and a 5 hp.

Every 14' I have encountered had a rating up to 25hp, nowadays however something I think most people miss is that the newer 4 strokes are heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts, so keep that in mind as well..

BMGW wrote:Every 14' I have encountered had a rating up to 25hp, nowadays however something I think most people miss is that the newer 4 strokes are heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts, so keep that in mind as well..

True, but if he's looking for new, well, 2-strokes are getting hard to find. The difference for a 25hp Merc short shaft 2 vs 4 is 43lbs, not insignificant, but not a heavyweight either.

Just adding my 2 cents on this one.... My Lund 14' deep hull aluminum is rated for 25 hp. I have a 4 stroke Merc. 25 hp longshaft.
It ways 175lbs. I keep it bolted on the transom and do not remove it due to it's weight. Can't remember if you said what your boat is exactly, I think mine is called something like Lund WLC ,, anyway, it has a little more weight and beam to it than most of it's size,seating,live well etc. It handles the 175lb merc. just fine. If you're looking to just have a fishing vessel I don't feel there is any reason to try and push beyond the 25 hp on a 14' alum. I can get it down to about 1.6 mph to troll, and can get it up to about 25 mph at full speed on flat water.

Thanks for all the replies. The boat is missing the tag with the info on it, so I assume 20 to 25hp max. I will keep an eye out for an outboard.